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New York Yankees: Six Hitters to Target in MLB Free Agency

By Nick Ziegler

Aug 1, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks to reporters after the trade deadline prior to a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman speaks to reporters after the trade deadline prior to a game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees
Sep 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits a single in front of Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp (29) during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Yoenis Cespedes

Arguably the best hitter available in free agency is Yoenis Cespedes of the New York Mets. After another good season in 2016, Cespedes made the decision to opt out of his contract with the Mets to test free agency for the second year in a row.

Last season, Cespedes totaled a .280 batting average, 31 home runs, and 86 RBIs. For the last year and a half, Cespedes has been the heart and soul of the Mets lineup.

While most of the other options mentioned would be best-suited as strictly designated hitters, Cespedes is obviously a good fielder still. Unlike some of the other options, Cespedes would also be the biggest investment for the Yankees to make this offseason. By all accounts, Cespedes will be seeking a $100 million contract.

For the Yankees to truly have an interest in Cespedes, they would likely have to move Brett Gardner first to make room for him to play left field. It would be hard to imagine that Cespedes would want to be strictly a designated hitter or move to right field at this point in his career.

Next: 5 potential destinations for Brett Gardner

Cespedes is talented enough to be a player that can instantly change the landscape of a division depending on where he goes. The back pages of the New York papers would be wild if he actually did leave the Mets for the Yankees.

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