MLB Free Agents 2012: Paul Maholm and Players New York Yankees Should Target

The New York Yankees are in better shape than most MLB teams heading into 2012, but several vacancies still need to be filled.

All the help they'll need is on the free-agent market.

Especially over the past decade, the Yankees have flaunted their financial strength and added flashy, upper-echelon players. Ownership has the power to do the same this winter.

However, the minimal additions to expect from general manager Brian Cashman are as follows: a reserve infielder, backup outfielder and fifth starting pitcher.

Frankly, New York is stacked in most other areas.

The following under-the-radar players would bolster the Yankees' chances at seizing a 28th championship while raising their 2012 payroll only modestly.

Infielder Jack Wilson

Veteran shortstop Jack Wilson finally made the transition into a utility role in 2011.

He will turn 34 this December, yet he still shows impressive range and a quick release on his throws.

Wilson would replace Eric Chavez, who made significant contributions when healthy. Wilson, however, is a safer bet to hold up through the summer.

If put in pinstripes, his value would be as a defensive specialist to spell Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Nobody wants to see them hit the disabled list like last season.

Given his offensive woes, Wilson would likely settle for a brief and inexpensive contract.

Outfielder Endy Chavez

The Yankees' minor league affiliates offer a mediocre crop of young outfielders, so expect the franchise to go outside the organization to add a player.

A hero of the 2006 MLB playoffs while with the New York Mets, Endy Chavez comes off his strongest season since then. 

He would be an interesting departure from New York's previous fourth outfielder, Andruw Jones.

Chavez is not a power threat like Jones was, but he could bring reliable bunting, base-stealing and good defensive range to this team.

Despite a .301 batting average in 2011, Chavez will not likely be offered a starting position on any team. Even if there is competition to sign him, the Yankees would have no problem outbidding the rest.

Outfielder Jonny Gomes

Conversely, the Yankees could pursue an all-or-nothing type of offensive player like Jonny Gomes.

His career statistics are pretty easy to interpret: lots of power, lots of strikeouts.

Gomes wouldn't be useful on defense, but at the plate? Surely.

He could sporadically fill in for left fielder Brett Gardner, who struggles against left-handers.

Gardner is also a streaky hitter in general. Gomes would be a valuable replacement for him if given starts during one of his slumps.

Starting Pitcher Freddy Garcia

Starting pitching—as usual—will be the team's top priority in the offseason.

The Yankees have already inked C.C. Sabathia to a contract extension, but at least one other move needs to be made.

Promising prospects Manuel Banuelos and Dellin Betances won't be ready to join the Major League rotation this spring. With that said, New York has only four starters: Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova.

As a temporary fix until the "Killer B's" finish developing, the Yankees could re-sign Freddy Garcia.

He made 25 regular season starts in 2011 and finished the campaign with his lowest earned run average in a decade!

Although equipped with subpar velocity, Garcia is difficult for opposing batters to anticipate. He throws his sinker and slider almost as regularly as his fastball.

His tendency to pitch to contact shouldn't be a concern if the Yankees make the aforementioned defensive improvements.

Starting Pitcher Edwin Jackson

Edwin Jackson's value has risen in a disappointing offseason for starting-pitching buyers.

He will be cheaper to sign than the C.J. Wilsons, Mark Buehrles and Roy Oswalts of this free-agent class.

Unlike Freddy Garcia, Jackson has great confidence in his fastball. His slider is adequate, but Jackson's changeup is hardly an excuse for a tertiary pitch.

With the right instruction, he should be able to improve on his career rate of 6.68 strikeouts per nine innings. That isn't acceptable for someone who's often been clocked in the high 90s.

There's a lot of potential in Jackson, and I'd advise the Yankees to make him an offer. A multi-year deal will probably be necessary.

Starting Pitcher Paul Maholm

Paul Maholm is surely being overlooked by most franchises.

His 2011 season ended prematurely because of a shoulder strain, and he had been pounded in his final starts before the injury.

Playing seven seasons on the Pittsburgh Pirates didn't earned him much respect, either.

However, Maholm is a strike-thrower, a ground-ball pitcher and a lefty.

Given his circumstances, Maholm would be incredibly cheap. Also, consider that the rival Boston Red Sox have had limited exposure to him.

Over the course of several years, the Yankees would eventually regret signing Paul Maholm. But for one season, he could take the American League by surprise, eat some innings and save this organization millions of dollars.

At the very least, savings from any of these six signings could be used to make an upgrade come July's trade deadline.