Yankees rumors: New York in conversations with Scott Hairston

Free agent outfielder Scott Hairston is drawing interest from both New York clubs, with the Yankees holding ongoing discussions with the veteran, reports Dan Martin of the NY Post:

[The Mets] remain interested in Scott Hairston, but will get competition for the outfielder from the Yankees.

The Yankees continue to have conversations with Hairston, who is coming off arguably his most productive offensive season.

The 32-year-old Hairston hit .263/.299/.504 and blasted a career-high twenty home runs in one hundred thirty-four games for the Mets this past season. The righty slugger has always struggled with his on-base numbers but his .276/.325/.500 career line versus left-handed pitchers could make him a solid platoon option for any club.

The Yankees’ search for outfield help remains pretty wide open. The club has held preliminary discussions about bringing back Raul Ibanez, and were in the hunt for Torii Hunter before he signed with the Tigers, but there does not appear to be a front-runner in the outfield at the moment.

The Mets could let Hairston go, but the team’s reluctance to move the veteran at the trade deadline indicates that the club hopes to retain him for at least one more year.