If Your Birthday is January 5th...


...you share it with Jose Iglesias. The Cuban-born shortstop, best known for his five seasons with the Tigers, finished out 2021 as backup with the Red Sox. And while he's no threat to overtake incumbent Xander  Bogaerts, could he be the kind of stopgap that might intrigue the Yankees?

With prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza said to be a year or a year and a half away from the majors, a solid proven pro without the big price tag might be just what Brian Cashman ordered. A career .275 hitter, Iglesias is no Ozzie Smith, but would provide steadier defense than Gleyber Torres demonstrated during his unfortunate year and a half trial in the spot once manned by Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Phil Rizzuto. 

Also getting their cake and candles today:

  • Eduardo Escobar, the free agent infielder signed by the Mets just before the lockout.
  • Danny Jackson, the well-traveled lefty pitcher who made the World Series on three different teams: the champion '85 Royals and '90 Reds, and the 1993 NL pennant winning Phillies.
  • Sandy Vance, a pitcher whose first and last names matched Dodgers Hall of Famers, but whose big league career with the same franchise lasted  for just parts of the 1970 and '71 seasons, where he compiled a 9 - 8 record.
  • Charlie Hough also had Dodger roots, but the knuckleballer enjoyed his most productive seasons with the Texas Rangers.

 

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