It's no secret that with Alex Rodriguez sidelined until at least the All-Star break because of hip surgery, the Yankees are in need of some help on offense.
General Manager Brian Cashman on Monday said there is one guy he wouldn't mind bringing aboard to help: Chipper Jones, who retired after last season after a 19-season career with the Atlanta Braves.
But Cashman said he did not have a working telephone number for Jones’ agent, B.B. Abbott, so he told the reporters they could report his interest through Twitter as a way of letting Jones know.
“Get it out there,” Cashman said. “I would sign him in a heartbeat. He can play third base, first base, DH. He would be perfect.”
It didn't take long for Jones to respond via Twitter: "Enough with the rumors! While I am flattered about the speculation of being enticed out of retirement, I'm happy with life as a bad golfer!"
Notice he didn't say no.
If the Yankees did bring Jones aboard, they could shift Kevin Youkilis from third to first. Jones has 468 career home runs. Would the possibility of hitting his 500th home run as a member of the Yankees be enough to lure him out of retirement?