Would Yankees Pay In Free Agency To Get Better at Third Base?

The free-agent market's top third base target likely won't come cheap to the team that lands him, including the New York Yankees.

How much are the New York Yankees willing to pay to get better at third base in 2024 and beyond?

The New York Post consulted a pair of experts, along with their writer, Jon Heyman, to try and figure what one potential Yankees target, Matt Chapman, might get on the free agent market.

The piece was not about what the Yankees might do. It was more about what these experts believe Chapman will ultimately get.

And it’s definitely a range.

One expert had Chapman getting a six-year deal worth $156 million. That would net the 30-year-old $26 million per year.

Heyman projected something similar — a six-year deal worth $150 million.

The other expert put together something creative. That prediction was a four-year, $80 million deal that featured an opt-out after the 2024 season.

A deal like that would get Chapman $20 million per year but also give him an out to test free agency once again next offseason. The Post didn’t make that logic clear.

Chapman hits the market after he slashed .240/.330/.424/755 with 17 home runs and 54 RBI while playing 140 games and dealing with a finger injury. That .240 batting average matches up with the .240 career batting average for his seven-year career.

He hasn’t matched the 36 home runs he posted with Oakland in 2019, which was his only All-Star season. But, he’s hit 27 home runs twice — in 2021 with Oakland and in 2022 with Toronto — along with a 24-homer season in 2018.

He also brings a quality glove to the hot corner, where he is a three-time AL Gold Glove winner and has 92 defensive runs saved for his career.

Chapman would be a power upgrade over DJ LeMahieu, who played 69 of his 136 games at third base last season. If the Yankees pursue Chapman, they don’t have to cut LeMahieu loose, who has three years remaining on his deal. In this scenario it’s LeMahieu who has the position flex. He can play first base and second base.

If the Yankees are seeking an upgrade at third base, Chapman is this market’s best option.