We wrote last month that veteran Andruw Jones could potentially be a fit in Atlanta, but with the addition of Rick Ankiel and manager Fredi Gonzlez's comments at the winter meetings that suggest the club will give Nate McLouth every chance to win a starting job, Jones may not be headed for a reunion in Atlanta, after all.
SI.com's Jon Heyman writes Monday, however, that Jones could be a name the Yankees consider this winter as they continue to look for outfield depth.
Considering the balance on the roster right now -- three switch hitters in Mark Teixeria, Nick swisher and Jorge Posada, plus two pure lefties in Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano, any further additions by the club may not dictate a specified handedness. Heyman also mentions Johnny Damon for the Yankees, but as we wrote just prior to Christmas, the Yankees don't see a clear role for Damon, who is likely viewed as a DH only.
Jones hasn't been put out to pasture defensively just yet, though, which could keep him in the cross hairs of a number of clubs.
The Yankees have not announced anything in terms of bring back right handed hitter Marcus Thames, who last year hit .302 with 5 HRs and 14 RBIs in 129 ABs vs left handed pitching. While Jones didn't hit as well as Thames did last year against lefties, he is an upgrade defensively over Thames and would be an ideal back up for the Yankees current trio of outfielders (Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher) and occasional DH.
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