Yankees rumors: Ben Francisco, Jim Thome, Chipper Jones

The New York Yankees have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Ben Francisco, while they aren’t interested in slugger Jim Thome and haven’t tried talking former Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones out of retirement, though some teams have, according to Mark Hale of The New York Post.

Ben Francisco's agent, John Boggs, says #Yankees and #Mets have expressed interest in OFer. Three other teams interested too.

— Mark Hale (@HaleMark) January 7, 2013

On #Yankees, no interest in Thome. And as I posted yesterday, have not tried to coax Chipper out of retirement. Although other teams have.

— Mark Hale (@HaleMark) January 7, 2013

Francisco’s agent, John Boggs, told Hale that he is evaluating which team will provide his agent the best opportunity and most at-bats. Beyond the Yankees, the New York Mets have also expressed interest in Francisco.

Last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, Francisco hit .240/.285/.385 with 14 doubles, one triple and four home runs. The 31-year-old owns a career line of .257/.326/.425 over parts of six seasons at the major league level.

The Yankees are not interested in Thome, who remains on the free agent market after spending the 2012 season with the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles. And, while New York hasn’t tried to coax Chipper Jones out of retirement, Hale notes that other teams have.