MLB Free Agents 2012: 5 Free Agents the New York Yankees Should Target

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It's the season of free agency, and you can bet the New York Yankees are looking to make some moves.

They need to solidify their rotation and add a solid pitcher behind CC Sabathia.  The Yankees also should look to improve their bench.

Their name's been attached to just about every big name out there, but that doesn't mean they should be going after those guys.  

The Yankees just need some smaller signings to plug up some holes in their team while maybe making a run for one big name.

There are a lot of free agents on the market, and they can look at everybody.

Here are the five free agents the Yankees should be targeting. 

Nick Punto

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This would be a small signing to help shore up some of the defensive weakness the New York Yankees have.

Nick Punto is known for his glove and rightfully so.  He'd be a better defensive replacement than Eduardo Nunez still has some kinks to work out on defense.

Both Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter are getting up there in years, so they can't be playing their position every game like they used to if they want to be at 100 percent.

Punto would give the those guys a chance to rest while being a solid backup on defense.  As for the offense, I'm sure the Yankees can afford to let one guy who isn't a home run hitter play once in a while.

Aaron Harang

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Aaron Harang's always been a solid pitcher who hasn't gotten his share of media attention.

He was once the Cincinnati Reds' ace, and last year, he did a pretty good job for the San Diego Padres. With the Padres, he went 14-7, with a 3.64 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 124 SO.

Harang's not exactly No. 2 material, but he'd help bring depth to a position where the Yankees need it the most.  

As much as the Yankees, and Yankee fans, believe having a true No. 2 can help them out the most, having a bunch of solid pitchers behind CC Sabathia would help just as much especially with their offense.

He'd be a low-risk, high-reward signing who could very well end up being next year's Freddy Garcia or Bartolo Colon.

Mark DeRosa

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Mark DeRosa is a utility player who can play several positions when needed.  Every team should have one just in case of injuries during the game.

It also gives the manager flexibility with the lineup when he has to give his regulars days off.

DeRosa's played just about every position imaginable, so he can fit in wherever Joe Girardi needs him.  

If A-Rod needs a break, he can play there.  Robinson Cano's not feeling too good?  DeRosa can fill in. When someone in the outfield needs a rest, DeRosa can take his spot.

Besides, I'd feel safer knowing Mark DeRosa was the utility guy than trying to shoehorn Eduardo Nunez into that role.

Mark Buehrle

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If the Yankees want a No. 2, Mark Buehrle is one of the better, if not the best, options out there.

He's solid, consistent, and he'll give you innings.  Buehrle was once the Chicago White Sox's ace, so he knows how to pitch in big games.

Let's not forget that he pitched a perfect game and a no-hitter two years apart.  I'm gonna go on a limb and say I want that guy pitching for my team.

He's not going to blow people away with overwhelming stuff, but he's got control and he knows what he's doing when he's on the mound.  That's a No. 2 in my book.

Yu Darvish

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Yu Darvish is the prototypical No. 2 with his high strikeout rates and blazing fastball. 

Of course, he's not technically a free agent yet, but it's only a matter of time.  I have a feeling he'll end up in the majors next season.

Yankee fans are wary of Japanese pitchers (thanks Kei Igawa) and the last big pitching phenom from Japan, Daisuke Matsuzaka, didn't exactly turn out as expected.

There's no telling how Darvish will handle the transition over to the majors or if the numbers will translate to be roughly the same over here as they were in Japan.  

However, many scouts are saying he's the real deal, and it's hard to disagree when just about every professional scout thinks he's got the stuff to be successful here.

Yu Darvish would be a star along the lines of Hideki Matsui bringing the Japanese audience back to the Bronx.  He would also be an excellent pitcher to be behind CC Sabathia if he can get close enough to his numbers in Japan.