Yankees rumors: 'No chance' NY signs Michael Bourn

While it’s been reported that the New York Yankees are quietly targeting free agent Michael Bourn, there is "no chance" the team will sign, or even pursue, the center fielder, according to Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York:

According to the proverbial "source with knowledge," there is "no chance" the Yankees will sign, or even pursue, Bourn, the speedy free-agent center fielder who spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, despite recent rumors to the contrary.

Matthews says there are several reasons the Yankees won’t be pursuing Bourn this winter. First of all, the free agent’s price tag will be prohibitive. While New York is said to be in the market for another outfielder, they are seeking a right-handed hitter, and Bourn hits from the left-hand side. Finally, the Yankees already have a center fielder on their roster in Curtis Granderson.

Considering the Yankees are seeking a right-handed hitting outfielder, Matthews notes that free agent Scott Hairston, not Bourn, is the frontrunner to sign with New York. The club has also been tied to veteran slugger Raul Ibanez. While Ibanez is left-handed like Bourn, he would come at a much more reasonable price.

Bourn hit .274/.348/.391 with 26 doubles, 10 triples and nine home runs last season for the Atlanta Braves. The 29-year-old owns a career line of .272/.339/.365.