Yankees Rumors: Chase Headley, Ty Wigginton

With Alex Rodriguez’s broken hand, Buster Olney of ESPN believes it would make sense for the New York Yankees to target San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley:

With A-Rod down, there are a lot of reasons why NYY pursuit of Chase Headley could make sense. Could be part of 1B/3B/DH mix going forward.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 25, 2012

Olney believes Headley could be a part of the Yankees first base/third base/designated hitter mix going forward.

The Padres are reportedly willing to listen to offers for Headley, but he doesn’t figure to come cheap. He’s been targeted by multiple teams this summer, which would only increase San Diego’s asking price.

The 28-year-old won’t reach free agency until after the 2014 season. He’s hit at a clip of .265/.360/.422 with 21 doubles, 11 home runs and 50 RBIs this season and owns a career OPS of .742.

If the Yankees would rather go a cheaper route, Joel Sherman of The New York Post speculates the club could look to Philadelphia Phillies infielder Ty Wigginton. Sherman says the Phillies could look to shed salary by dealing Wigginton, who would provide New York with a platoon stopgap option at third to pair with Eric Chavez:

AGAIN JUST CONJECTURE: But maybe #Yankees would be interested in #Phillies Wiggingon as A-Rod platoon stopgap with Chavez. Pha might (cont)

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 25, 2012

CONJECTURE: want to trim some $ (with option buyout Wigginton owed about $2M). Bad defender, but some pop, versatility. #Yankees #Phillies

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 25, 2012

Initial reports have Rodriguez out six-to-eight weeks. The Yankees have corner infielders Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira tied up for the foreseeable future at $20 million-plus per season.

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Should the Yankees target Wigginton or Headley?

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