RUMORS: Yankees interested in Cubs’ Darwin Barney

Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees were interested in free-agent second baseman Omar Infante before he signed a four-year deal with the Kansas City Royals and now they might turn their attention to Chicago Cubs’ second baseman Darwin Barney, tweets 670 the Score’s Bruce Levine.

The Yanks signed infielder/outfielder Kelly Johnson ten days ago to likely be Robinson Cano‘s replacement at second, although Johnson only started in 14 games at second last season.

Johnson, 31, hit .235/.305/.410 with 12 doubles, 16 homers and 52 RBI in 407 plate appearances in a utility role last season for the Rays. He saw time at second base, third base, first base and left field.

Barney, 28, hit .208/.266/.303 last season with a dismal .569 OPS and 56 OPS+. For Barney to become a top major-league infielder he would have to return to his 2011 form with .666 OPS and 83 OPS+.

Barney was drafted in 2007 by Jim Hendry, who is now a special assistant to Yanks General Manager Brian Cashman and Hendry may recommend Cashman signing his former pick. It is unknown what the Cubs would receive in return but a trade would see Starlin Castro move to second while Javier Baez makes his major league debut at shortstop.

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