When the New York Yankees dropped a pretty penny on Masahiro Tanaka earlier this week, it seemed as if the team’s offseason spending spree was over.
Not so fast.
The Yankees are interested in signing yet another former member of the Boston Red Sox. According to reports, the team is considering signing free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew in an effort to sure up the left side of their infield and take another piece away from away from their nemesis.
Derek Jeter is expected to start, if healthy, but Jeter battled injuries during the 2013 season and played in just 17 games. Drew could be an insurance policy at the position, as well as a fill-in when the 40-year-old Jeter takes a day off.
Drew could also see time at second or third base. The Yankees signed Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson to deals this offseason. Roberts is expected to take over for Robinson Cano, who left the team for the Seattle Mariners at the start of free agency. But Roberts has averaged just 48 games played per season over the past four years and hasn’t been as consistent of a contributor as he had been while healthy with the Baltimore Orioles. Johnson is slated to fill in at third base for the suspended Alex Rodriguez, but may be needed as an everyday utility man.
According to ESPN, however, the chances the Yankees make a run at Drew are slim. The team has already spent $470 million this winter and may be fine with close their wallets for the winter.
Drew, 30, hit .253 with 17 dingers and 67 RBI last season in Boston, and is reportedly seeking a deal in the four-year, $60 million range. The Sox are believed to be willing to give Drew a multiyear deal, too.
Drew previously turned down a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Sox in November. The New York Mets showed interest earlier in the offseason, too.
