Robinson Cano's megadeal with the Seattle Mariners leaves a question unanswered: Who will play second base for the New York Yankees?
Forget about a certain predecessor: It likely won't be Alfonso Soriano.
And while Kelly Johnson is on the roster, he just doesn't seem enough for the Yankees. That's why names are flying in regard to another acquisition … including pricey free agents.
How about Omar Infante? The New York Daily News brings him up among the free-agent options. At 32, he is the same age as Johnson with bigger upside. "Solid player," a baseball executive told the Daily News in a text message. "Would do well."
Infante hit .318 last season with the Detroit Tigers, including 10 home runs and 51 RBIs.
Free agents available include Mark Ellis and Brian Roberts, both 36.
Another possibility? Brandon Phillips, via trade from the Cincinnati Reds. That could be tough to do, the Daily News noted, because the Yankees might not have the pieces the Reds want in return.
Another option is Howie Kendrick.
"Our system hasn't taken the steps we would've wanted, so it makes us harder to match up now," GM Brian Cashman told the Daily News. "Teams typically want players who can jump right in. As you've watched, we've had injuries and or some of our high-end stuff didn't take that next step, hit the developmental wall, and this year will be a big year for those guys. The trade market is a little bit tougher."
Cano will take a job away from young second baseman Nick Franklin, whose name also is in the trade rumor mill.
Johnson turns 32 in as spring training begins. He is expected to be a utility player, filling in at first, third and outfield positions. He hit 16 homers for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013, the same number he had for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012.