Picture it: Yankee Stadium is packed, the crowd goes wild as Aaron Judge approaches the plate. However, there’s a snag. The bases are loaded and who’s on deck? It isn’t Giancarlo Stanton. It’s not a hot new star. That’s… J.D. Martinez? Shocking, right?

That’s the potential reality the Yankees face as they consider signing the veteran slugger. But will such desperation backfire?

The Yankees are hungry for a championship. After a lacklustre season offensively, they need to be firing on all cylinders. But, as the saying goes, “Haste makes waste.” Even the lure of signing J.D. Martinez has set off alarm bells. Insiders are signalling that this is dangerous, and the Yankees should take heed.

“Could you possibly sign JD Martinez, a right-handed hitting DH, and then still find room in your roster for the return of Giancarlo Stanton whenever he is ready, who is also, by the way, a right-handed hitting DH?” an MLB insider questioned. “That would be a lot of overlap.” This point, raised on MLB Network Radio, highlights the potential redundancy issue.

The Yankees’ sudden interest in Martinez? It’s not just a whim. Recall Stanton’s injuries? Last year he missed a lot of time because of a persistent hamstring injury. What about now? When he returns to full strength is anyone’s guess. The Yankees have a big hole to fill. Adding Martinez – a proven power hitter and a steady veteran hand – looks like the ideal remedy.

But why is the insider giving a red signal on Yankees’ pursuit of J.D. Martinez?

There are so many reasons and injury concern is the most important. Martinez has had his share of injuries too, including a groin strain that kept him out for much of the 2023 season. At 37, a full season’s durability is a huge question mark. And what do you do with aging sluggers?

Another problem is redundancy. The Yankees are stuck with Giancarlo Stanton, another over the hill and often injured slugger. Signing Martinez would duplicate their designated hitter and might severely cramp their batting order. Is this really the best use of their resources?

Last but not least, Martinez is looking for a $12 million contract. It would be a considerable additional expense for the Yankees, and might restrict their flexibility in making other moves to fill their needs. Will they risk that much on someone whose future is uncertain?

Now, let’s imagine Stanton’s return. Where does that leave Martinez? That makes for a cramped dugout, particularly with two of them angling for the same DH position. When fit, Stanton is a monster – a former MVP, with a .264 career average and 382 home runs. Martinez? He’s no slouch either, with a .288 average and 303 homers.

But here’s the thing: Stanton is under contract through 2027, with $154 million remaining on the ledger. Martinez? He’s a one-year gamble, a potential rental. The Yankees are rolling the dice, and time is not on their side.

Are the Yankees really that desperate? There’s a whisper in the Bronx, a belief that maybe, just maybe, the solution lies within. Perhaps it’s Oswaldo Cabrera, the rookie infielder. He’s been on fire in spring training, hitting .318 batting average with a couple of homers. Or maybe it’s Oswald Peraza, the shortstop with massive raw power. He has demonstrated some genius, and his spring training record, a .333 batting average and a homer – suggests promise.

The Yankees have options, young blood hungry to prove themselves. It’s a gamble, sure, but maybe a gamble worth taking. What will the Yankees do?