^[2]Every winter, at every level of the free agent market, someone has to set the standard. Occasionally players will get a deal they like and sign without their market being set, but as a general rule, someone has to set the bar. This late in the offseason, as the Yankees have prioritized their need for a right-handed outfielder, it’s Scott Hairston who has to set the market.

At 32 years old, and coming off a career year, this would seem to be a prime opportunity for Hairston to cash in with a multi-year deal and an everyday job. I’m not sure he’ll get exactly that kind of deal, but I can’t blame him for asking for one.

Today, Jim Bowden reported that Hairston is expected to make his decision by the end of the week, ^[3]and for the Yankees, that’s good news one way or the other. It seems unlikely that the Yankees will actually sign Hairston, ^[4] but his signing would set the market for similar right-handed outfielders, which should make it easier for the Yankees to take care of their current priority.

For the Yankees to move on, they need to settle this right-handed outfield search, and one way or another, Hairston should make that task a little easier.