Yankees Chase Headley: Heading Into 2017 As “The Sleeper”

The Yankees need to field a third baseman in 2017, so Chase Headley gets the position by default. That’s mainly the view that many Yankee fans, and perhaps even the team itself have of Headley. He’s the “other guy” in the lineup, of whom the team is not expecting much, and as long as he doesn’t embarrass anyone, all is well. Maybe, but maybe not too.

The Yankees, it seems, have always had a Chase Headley in their lineup. The much-heralded Championship team of 1961, for instance, had Clete Boyer at third base, hitting .224 with a .308 OBP in 148 games. And Bucky Dent played shortstop for the 1978 Champion Yankees, contributing a .243 BA, .286 on-base percentage, and a hard to imagine .317…