Likely (part-time) DH, Marcus Thames.

Since Nick Johnson shockingly went down with injury a few weeks back, the Yankees have been rotating a few players into the DH role. He’ll need surgery, so this isn’t a short-term quandry. Currently, the team is trotting out a combination of Juan Miranda, the AAA callup; Marcus Thames, who really is a DH occasionally masquerading as an oufielder; and Jorge Posada, the team’s starting catcher. While I’d continue to expect some sort of continuation of this, there are a few options moving forward. Here are a few possible scenarios.

*Jorge Posada becomes full-time DH

This move would thrust Francisco Cervelli as the full-time catcher, pushing Jorge Posada to the DH spot, where he’d remain until Nick Johnson returns, which may be a while as he needs to undergo surgery to repair his right wrist. Posada has expressed that he dislikes being DH’d and although Cervelli has exceeded offensive expectations thus far (thanks largely due to a very high BABip), he’s not going to keep it up. He’s a plus defensive catcher and fairly fleet of foot (for a catcher – he’s no Brett Gardner), so it’s not like there aren’t benefits to the move. Unfortunately, this would also mean a greater positional downgrade offensively, plus the issue of having to call up a third catcher, likely to be Chad Moeller. With Thames being among the worst defensive outfielders in baseball, Swisher having bicep troubles, this would really hurt roster flexibility. Still, Posada may not be 100% and he’s certainly getting older, so giving him some rest may be a solid option for a little while. I don’t expect it to happen, though.

Likelihood of this happening: 15%

* Marcus Thames as a full-time DH:

Thames struggles against right-handers, whom he’d have to face much more of as the everyday DH. He’s been very good offensively this year and this move would at least give us the added benefit of not having to watch him in the field, but given his struggles against righties, a platoon makes sense. Also, consider that there’s no way he’ll sustain a BABip of .457, so the Marcus Thames that we’d potentially see DH is not the one we’ve seen thus far. However, there are some good signs. His HR/FB rate will jump from the 4.8% to at least three times that. Consequently, his ISO, at a career low of .125, will jump as well. So expect to see different numbers for Thames moving forward.

Likelihood of happening: 25%

Juan Miranda as a full-time DH:

There’s a lot to like about Juan Miranda, particularly in how he’s been able to hit left-handers since last year. Once his Achiles heel, it’s been his strength, even posting far better numbers against lefties than he has righties. How much of this is true improvement or just statistical anamoly isn’t yet clear considering the sample, but Miranda has good power potential and a good-not-great hit tool. If nothing else, he probably won’t hurt the team but how high his ceiling is is anyone’s guess. This move would also keep Thames as the PH/5th OF.

Likelihood of happening: 20%

Thames and Miranda as a DH platoon:

As I’ve already mentioned, Thames has been very good in his career against left-handers. Miranda has been a plus against right-handers. Sounds like a natural fit, doesn’t it? Along with sprinkling in Jorge Posada and maybe a few of the other veterans every now and then again, expect to see this alignment as the regular DH fill. This would minimize the loss of Nick Johnson whlie retaining average or better offensive players in other spots, with the added benefit of keeping Posada happier. Until Granderson returns in center, we’re going to be seeing a lot of Randy Winn, Greg Golson, Ramiro Pena, Macus Thames and Juan Miranda. Expect the bottom part of the lineup to be a thorn in the side for some time.

Likelihood of happening: 75%

Yankees sign Jermaine Dye to DH:

He is available and I’m guessing would be open to signing with a very competitive club, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to sign cheap. He’s rebuffed offers in the $2 million range and although the season is already 25% over, I don’t expect the price tag to drop. He’ll want $4 million. With Cashman already needing permission to sign Chan Ho Park late in the off season, the cash truly might not be there, especially for a guy with big question marks. He struggled mightily in the second half of last year, and $4 million is a lot of dough to toss onto a question mark like that at this stage.

Elijah Dukes' chances seem dead, dawg. (Photo Credit: Christian Peterson/ Getty Images)

*Yankees sign Elijah Dukes:

Man, I’ve advocated for it before and I think it makes a hell of a lot of sense. Sure, maybe he’s crazy. So what? Dude can absolutely play baseball, must know he has a very short leash and he’d provide the added bonus of being able to actually play the outfield, another position we’re short in terms of reliable depth. To boot, he would be a cheap signing, too. Unfortunately, it appears the Yankees really do have no interest in Dukes, likely because they fear he’d damage a clubhouse stocked with veteran leadership. Oh well.

Likelihood of happening: 1%

*Yankees trade for Jack Cust:

The A’s don’t seem to have any love for Jack, whose hilarious outfield antics often cost them baseball games. He’s also a Three True Outcomes kind of player, and for whatever reason, an A’s team that often features Kurt Suzuki batting 3rd or 4th, has no apparent use for power. Whatevs. Anyway, Cust may strike out 35-40% of his plate appearances, but when he does hit the ball, he hits it hard. Unfortunately, his ISO dropped to a career low .177 last year and his career suggests he’ll be somewhat of a liability against southpaws. He’s probably not much of a better option that what’s in house, even though I doubt he’d cost all that much. But if it means Palabrakemper going in a trade, I’d be distraught.

Likelihood of happening: 2%

*Yankees sign Pat Burrell:

Obviously the Rays know a sunk cost when they see one, dropping Pat ‘No Bat’ Burrell faster than 5th period French. Dude’s toast. They’d hoped he’d be the underrated Phillie regularly putting up solid slugging numbers and equally solid on-base skills. Unfortunatley, that didn’t happen. He started swinging at all kinds of crazy shit and it appears he no longer has the bat speed to catch up to it. At this point why not sign…

Likelihood of happening: Less than 0%

*…Barry Bonds!

Let me start by saying one thing: I love Barry Bonds. Sure, he was a ‘roided up monster without much fondness for the media or many fans. Awesome! We need more characters in baseball, even if they’re surly. And check this out — according to Sunday Night Baseball’s telecast, Barry Bonds was able to hit baseballs into randomly positioned chairs on the field. Ryan Howard, his pupil, was not able to complete such a challenge. I’m guessing Pat ‘No Bat’ wouldn’t be able to do so, either. To be frank, I don’t even care if Bonds can hit anymore. I would just love to see the pants-shitting upon the announcement of Bonds on the team. Make it happen, Cashmoney!

Likelihood of happening: -100%