The Yankees are reportedly on the verge of signing free agent second baseman Brian Roberts, according to Ken Rosenthal. Roberts hasn't played a full season since 2009, totaling 77 games for the Baltimore Orioles last season. If this is the move to fill the vacancy left by Robinson Cano, it leaves a lot to be desired. The Yankees would be trusting a guy who has proven incapable of staying on the field for multiple consecutive years.
Options are running low for the Yankees to find an everyday second baseman after Omar Infante agreed to a four-year deal with the Royals and Mark Ellis signed a one-year pact with the Cardinals. Even if the pickings are slim, it's difficult to imagine the Yankees can't do better, via trade at least, than Roberts.
Hopefully the team sees Roberts as more of a bench solution, if anything. Having him start the year as their second baseman, for however long he could manage to stay healthy, doesn't seem like a plan that would make anyone feel confident in the Yankees' chances.
Sources: Addition of 2B Brian Roberts would not preclude #Yankees from adding another IFer, perhaps free-agent 3B Mark Reynolds. MORE
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2013Given Roberts’ injury history, #Yankees would not necessarily be comfortable with potential Roberts/Kelly Johnson combination at 2B/3B.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 17, 2013