LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Yankees have made a three-year, $24 million offer to Omar Infante, hoping the best second baseman remaining on the free-agent market could help offset the loss of Robinson Cano.
It is going to be a tough sell for the Yankees. The Infante camp has asked to be valued like Martin Prado, who signed a four-year, $40 million contract last offseason with Arizona. The Yankees already have moved deals with Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran considerably higher than they had initially hoped, but appear more resolved to hold tight on their offer this time.
If that is the case, the Royals and perhaps another team or two might be able to step in and sign Infante, who turns 32 next month and is coming off his finest season. Playing for the Tigers, Infante hit .318 with 10 homers and a .795 OPS.
One item that makes Infante even more attractive to the Yankees — who have an older roster — is his versatility. He has played every position except catcher, pitcher and first, though he probably has lost the range to play shortstop.