The Yankees have a problem that was once looked at as an incredible strength.
From 1984-2015, the first base position was primarily manned by four stars: Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi and Mark Teixeira.
They were different, but incredible. Mattingly, before his back went, was a Hall of Famer in waiting. Martinez was clutch and a key cog in a dynasty. Giambi supplied outrageous power and excellent patience. Teixeira was brilliant in the field and a switch-hitter with 35-plus home run power.
And now?
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The Yankees had been playing Chris Gittens at first base until Luke Voit’s return Tuesday, and likely contemplating an eventual move to first for DJ LeMahieu, something that doesn’t seem particularly appealing if the former batting title winner isn’t slugging.
Heading into play on June 21, Yankees first basemen have combined for a 0.0 fWAR (Fangraphs WAR) and .279 wOBA (weighted on-base average) this season. Those figures rank 24th and 28th in the sport, respectively. It’s a problem.
Luckily, it’s one money can solve. Much like with every star the Yankees have had at the position since Mattingly, looking outside the organization is the place to go to find a solution. While a trade for a younger, two-way star like, say, Oakland’s Matt Olsen would be perfect, the Athletics’ asking price would be through the roof.
Instead the solution to this Yankees issue lies in the form of the 2020 NL MVP, Freddie Freeman.
The free-agent-to-be with the inside-out left-handed stroke isn’t just a great player; he’s the right player at the right time when the Yankees enter the offseason.
Here’s why.
Freeman, 31, is a superstar.
The lifelong Braves first baseman owns an .889 OPS, 137 OPS+ and has racked up 1,587 hits. If we assume Freeman’s current hot streak (.366 since June 10) buoys an oddly slow start to the season and normal production ensues in the second half, Freeman could hit the open market with 1,700 hits, 275 home runs and WAR of at least 40.0 through his age-31 season.
Here’s a full list of first basemen in baseball history to match or exceed those numbers at that stage of their respective careers: Jimmie Foxx, Albert Pujols, Lou Gehrig, Orlando Cepeda and Eddie Murray. All five either are in Cooperstown or will be one day. It’s the kind of company Freeman keeps.
I know, I know. This is supposed to be the year of the shortstop in free agency, and I’ve argued for Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager as the guy the Yankees need to chase if they are ready to wave hundreds of millions of dollars at a problem. That’s still a possibility, and it’s still the way this franchise may go.
But Freeman is a culture changer in a way I’m not sure a younger or more athletic on-field fit might be. He’s a leader. He hits. He fields. Barring injury, his game should age well and that’s something that can’t be said for expensive shortstops. And Freeman would be able to take the torch that hasn’t been picked up since Teixeira’s career fell apart. The best and most successful Yankees teams of the last 40 years have a star at first base. It’s missing from this group.
If you weren’t sold already, just picture Freeman (a left-handed slugger) in the box. He has the kind of inside-out swing that could create .300 batting averages and big doubles off the left field wall at Fenway Park in key road games. But he also possesses the power to turn on pitches and deposit them in the bleachers in right field.
Freeman will be a fascinating free agent when the 2021 season ends. Many will assume that he’ll stay in Atlanta. That may be correct. But if the Yankees come in with a major offer, perhaps the reigning NL MVP will consider a move to the American League and sign up to wear pinstripes for the rest of his career.
It would be a move that shouldn’t surprise us, and one that could fix a glaring hole that the Yankees farm system simply can’t.
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Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected].
