MLB Free Agency 2013: Yankees, Travis Hafner Could Be Closing in on Deal

The Yankees could potentially have found their designated hitter for 2013.

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com as reported that the Yankees and former Indians slugger, Travis Hafner, could be closing in on a deal.

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Hearing #Yankees might be close to deal with Travis Hafner

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) January 30, 2013

 

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The 35-year-old has been with the Indians for the last 10 seasons, but was limited to just 66 games in 2012.

Hafner hit just .228, with 12 home runs and 34 RBI, while playing mostly at the designated hitter spot.

With the departure of Raul Ibanez via free agency, the Bombers have been searching the market for inexpensive bats to fill into their lineup.

Hafner made $13 million in Cleveland last year, but as a 35-year-old who hasn't been able to stay healthy, will not command anywhere near that kind of money from the Yankees, or any other team.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports and WFAN has confirmed that the Yankees are in fact talking to Hafner, but are talking to others as well.

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#yankees are talking travis hafner (as @bradfo said), as well as others.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 30, 2013

 

 

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If it's a minor-league deal that the Yankees give Hafner, then I'm just fine with the team bringing him in.

However, if it's a major-league guaranteed deal, I'm very skeptical because of Hafner's inability to stay healthy over the last two years.

Since 2007, the most games he has played in a season was 118 games back in 2010.

But then again, who knows. Maybe playing in the Bronx will rejuvenate Hafner's career and give him one final shot to do some damage on a team.

Coming to the Yankees worked for veterans like Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Andruw Jones, Eric Chavez and Ibanez.

Maybe it'll work for Hafner too.

Stay tuned Yankees Universe.