The New York Yankees are still in on re-signing third baseman Chase Headley, but are getting serious competition from the San Francisco Giants according to reports.
CBS Sports has reported Headley told sources his top choice is to remain in the Bronx with the Yankees, but if they can't meet his demands he is not opposed to joining the Giants, who have won three World Series titles in the last five years. Several sources have confirmed the Giants are pursuing him, with Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal calling the pursuit "aggressive."
The Giants' interest makes sense. They need to replace Pablo Sandoval, who was their third baseman for all three of their World Series runs. Headley is the top free agent third baseman on the market with Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez both headed to Boston, but he's a different type of addition.
Sandoval raked in the postseason for San Francisco, batting .344 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 167 plate appearances. For the regular season Sandoval is a .294 hitter with a .346 career on-base percentage with two All-Star appearances.
In 2012 Headley was a premier hitter, slashing .286/.376/. 498 with 31 home runs, 115 RBI and 95 runs. He had never hit at those levels prior to 2012 nor has he matched them since. Last season Headley's value came on the defensive side of things. Per Fangraphs.com, Headley was worth 21.6 runs at the hot corner because of his glove.
At the plate he picked up the pace once he was dealt to the Yankees. In the Bronx he hit .262 with six home runs and 17 RBI in 224 plate appearances.
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