As of right now, the Yankees do not appear to be involved with Scott Hairston, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Earlier in the week, it was reported that Hairston was deciding between the crosstown rival Mets and the Yankees. However, the Mets have a leg up due to the fact that Hairston would likely start for them.
The Yankees have been actively searching for a right-handed hitting outfielder to balance out their already lefty-heavy starters: Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Ichiro Suzuki. Hairston batted .263 last year with 57 RBIs and a career high 20 homers. He would likely platoon with Ichiro in right field.
The Yanks are also interested in Mike Morse of the Washington Nationals. After their resigning of Adam LaRoche, the Nats have been shopping the righty slugger. They are said to be wanting lefty relief and starting pitching, something the Yankees may not want to give up at this point. It’s also been reported that Morse is heavily opposed to being a DH, a role the Yankees would probably ask him to fill when not in the outfield.
Regardless, look for GM Brian Cashman to add a righty bat before Spring Training begins in a few weeks. He’s struck gold before in late, cheap offseason additions; most notably Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez.
