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New York Yankees: Chase Headley Believes They Can Compete

By Nick Ziegler

Sep 25, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley (12) hits a single in the second inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees third baseman Chase Headley (12) hits a single in the second inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees aren’t expected to be competing in 2017, but veteran Chase Headley believes they can.

In 2017, the New York Yankees will be focused on developing some of their younger talents. After being sellers at the trade deadline last season, the Yankees were able to still have success in the second half of the season. However, that certainly wasn’t their goal.

This season, the Yankees aren’t expected to compete realistically for a playoff spot. However, third baseman Chase Headley believes that they can compete in the AL East.

“I think we’ve got a great chance to compete in this division,’’ Chase Headley said Thursday at Yankee Stadium to Dan Martin of the New York Post. “We certainly are younger, but they’re extremely talented and very, very good players. We have a lot of veteran guys still that have had a lot of success in this league. Our expectations don’t change.”

While the Yankees did sign Aroldis Chapman in free agency, that move is nothing compared to the Boston Red Sox trading for Chris Sale. Pairing Sale at the top of the rotation with David Price has made the Red Sox the odds on favorite to win the AL East. Facing two of the best left-handers in baseball will not be fun.

“When the Red Sox pick up a person like Chris Sale, you notice,” Headley said to Martin. “It’s a great division. We’ve got to worry about what we’re doing and if we play the way we’re capable of, I think we have a shot.”

For Headley, he must perform better for the Yankees in 2017. With some young infielders in the farm system, Headley’s job could be in danger in the near future.

“I’ll try to get a couple of hits in April, that would be great,” Headley said to Martin. “Honestly, it’s something I’ve looked at and will continue to look at to make sure there wasn’t anything I did or didn’t do in spring training.”

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Anything can happen in the long 162 game season. However, the Yankees just simply aren’t focused on winning this season. That’s not to say that they can’t compete. However, it would be hard to imagine the Yankees pulling off a big move. Letting the prospects grow will be the Yankees’ priority this season.

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