MLB Rumors: Jerry Hairston Draws Interest from Yanks as Team May Bring Him Back

Via Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger:

"Meanwhile, one person with knowledge of the situation said the Yankees have expressed interest in bringing back a member of the 2009 World Series team, Jerry Hairston Jr."

Hairston, 34, earned $2.125 million in 2010 and $2 million in 2009, so there isn’t much of a reason to expect that he’ll get a big raise next year.

He hit .244 with a .652 OPS in the pitching-friendly ballpark in San Diego last season, and in 2009 he hit .251 with a .710 OPS.

Typically that isn’t much to get excited about, but Hairston is a strong defender who can play literally every position except catcher and first base.

By signing Hairston the Yankees would gain flexibility in putting together the rest of their roster. They could use him as a backup infielder, making Eduardo Nunez and Ramiro Pena expendable, or they could keep them around and use Hairston as a backup outfielder.

Related Stories

• February 27, 2010 -- Former Yankees in Pictures
• January 18, 2010 -- Yankees Made No Offer to Hairston
• January 17, 2010 -- No More Debate, Jerry Hairston "Closing In On" Deal with Padres
• January 17, 2010 -- The Case For Pena To Replace Hairston