Teahen rumored to Yankees

Alex Rodriguez's decision to have surgery is fueling rumors that the Yankees may have interest in acquiring Kansas City's Mark Teahen to play third. Both teams refute the legitimacy of that rumor.

Royals officials, for now, are brushing off the speculation, and general manager Dayton Moore has long maintained that Teahen is more valuable now to the club than in previous years because of his versatility.

“What I’m hoping,” one Royals official said, “is they sign (second baseman Mark) Grudzielanek. That way, we get a (compensatory) draft pick.”

Teahen, 27, is currently playing third base for Canada in the World Baseball Classic but spent his last two seasons in the outfield. He shifted his focus this spring to second base after the acquisition of Coco Crisp knocked him out of a starting job.

Moore declined to address the trade rumor Sunday amid indications the Yankees are intensifying their search for a temporary third baseman. Rodriguez is expected to miss six to nine weeks after undergoing surgery today to repair a torn labrum in his right hip.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman downplayed interest in Teahen, telling MLB.com: “We have not had any discussions internally about that.”

If Teahen or Grudzielanek ends up with the Yankees would either of them play third? Maybe the Yankees opt instead to slot Robinson Cano in place of A-Rod at third. When A-Rod returns they reshuffle to start the hottest player at second.

Teahen at second

This article is mostly about Ryan Shealy and Ross Gload, who are competing for mere roster spots with the Royals at this time. More interesting, however, is where Mark Teahen was playing.

The two starting intrasquad lineups each included two designated hitters in a 10-player format:

CF Coco Crisp, SS Mike Aviles, LF David DeJesus, DH Ross Gload, 1B Billy Butler, C John Buck, 2B Willie Bloomquist, 3B Esteban German, RF Derrick Robinson and DH John Suomi.

CF Mitch Maier, SS Tony Peña, 1B Mike Jacobs, DH Ryan Shealy, 3B Alex Gordon, C Miguel Olivo, 2B Mark Teahen, DH Alberto Callaspo, LF Chris Lubanski and RF José Duarte.

Rumored to play some at second base this year, Teahen owners in deeper keeper formats may want to pay attention.

Fantasy Impact: Teahen's been more of an afterthought in recent fantasy seasons. If he was in your starting lineup, you were likely looking for a better alternative. With this look at second, his fantasy value becomes intriguing. Teahen at second is much more valuable than Teahen in the outfield or at the corner. He'd become an instant rival for Orlando Hudson in terms of one of the higher end options at the position.