My first preference for the Yankees as far as left field is concerned for 2010 is to bring back Johnny Damon.

The veteran outfielder won’t sign with any other team until he is 100 percent certain the Yankees will not offer him any kind of contract. To me, an incentive-laden deal is in line for a player who could contribute like Damon, but apparently the budget is not.

Such being the case, the Yankees ought to take a chance on Austin Kearns, a former first-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds (1998), who spent most of the last four  seasons with the Washington Nationals.

The native of Lexington, Ky., would be a lower-cost option and could fit the Yankees’ plans as a platoon partner for Brett Gardner. Kearns has had some injury issues over the past few years, but, when healthy, has been productive.

He played in 161 games for Washington in 2007, batting .266 (156-for-587) with 35 doubles, 16 homers and 71 RBIs. That type of production by the 29-year-old (he will be 30 in May) could serve the Yankees well. Kearns bats and throws from the right side.

Over the past two seasons, he has been limited to 166 games and 487 at-bats. He’s also proven dependable in the field, committing just 25 errors in eight seasons.

The only drawback is he is that he is not experienced in left field, in fact having played only 13 of 830 games at that position.  Chances are, however, he could adjust his game to play in “Death Valley.’’

Kearns, however, is what the Yankees are looking are for in this below-par free-agent season. Other alternatives include Xavier Nady (if healthy), Reed Johnson and Jermaine Dye, but Kearns appears to have the best package.

Would he settle for a one-year deal? Would he take what is offered to play at least a season in Pinstripes? Given the calendar has turned over to January, such is quite possible.

He’s been known to hit in the clutch in the past and, playing with the Yankees, could certainly put his best foot forward.

This is the spot at which the Yankees farm system has the least amount of depth. There is no outfielder, even at the upper levels, who is close to being major-league ready, which is the reason for the selection of Jamie Hoffmann in the recent Rule 5 draft.

Maybe a platoon of Hoffmann and Gardner are what the Yankees have in mind, but one doesn’t really believe that is the solution.

Again, especially with the departure of Austin Jackson in the Curtis Granderson trade, and with pickings rather slim, Kearns might be the best choice if Damon is indeed a non-factor as far as the Yankees are concerned.

A bumper crop of free-agents will be available after the 2010 season, but there is no reason to overpay for anyone.  Will Marlon Byrd be worth the three-year, $15 million investment made by the Cubs?

Who ever thought left field in the Yankees lineup would be such an adventure?

Tags: Austin Kearns, Brett Gardner, Chicago Cubs, Jamie Hoffmann, Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon, Marlon Byrd, New York Yankees, Reed Johnson, Washington Nationals, Xavier Nady