Free agent outfielder Jermaine Dye is drawing interest from the Yankees to fill their left field vacancy,according to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune. Of course, a team’s offseason plans can change rather quickly, but it’s worth noting that the Bombersdenied interest in Dye last month.
Believe him or not, general manager Brian Cashman has repeatedly said that the Yankees will not be in the running for a big-ticket left fielder -- i.e. Matt Holliday, Jason Bay and possibly Johnny Damon -- so despite Dye’s pronounced shortcomings on defense, he would be a low-cost alternative on the heels of a lackluster finish.
Dye, who turns 36 in January, batted .250/.340/.453 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI with the White Sox in ’09, but his overall line was weighed down by a .179/.293/.297 showing after the All-Star break. His bad back was the likely culprit, but age might be catching up with him quick.
The Rangers and Giants are also rumored to have interest in the veteran outfielder while the Braves courted him as a potential first base option before coming to terms with Troy Glaus this week.