Just when everyone might have thought the New York Yankees were finished signing players in the offseason, they consider one more moves. The Yankees have spent a lot of money already this offseason after signing several marquee free agents and star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, but now their final target could be Stephen Drew.
CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that Drew remains on the Yankees' radar despite all of the money they have spent this offseason. Heyman writes that while the Yankees have spent $470 million this offseason, they are willing to keep going past the luxury tax threshold for the Red Sox star. They are willing to make a run at Drew for the right price.
The shortstop would certainly be a solid fit for the team. The Yankees could move him to second base when Derek Jeter is healthy and he can play shortstop other times. While the Yankees do have Brendan Ryan coming back for that specific purpose, Drew has a better bat and considering Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson are the only two other options for New York, Drew would work.
The shortstop heading to New York is not a sure-fire bet just yet. Ken Rosenthal reports that while Drew fits, the Yankees are thinking they have reached their spending limit. While that could change, Drew will not come a cheap as they hope.
To recap the Yankees offseason, the team has already signed Brian McCan, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran to large contracts totaling $153 million. They also landed Japanese pitching ace Tanaka for a seven-year, $155 million deal. They are now well over the $189 million mark which means they will be taxed at a 50 percent rate in the future.
Drew is the best infielder left on the market and New York must decide which is more important, taxes or championships. They have a need to fill and Drew certainly meets that need in a big way. The Yankees have never had payroll limits in the past and it is unlikely they consider taking a different approach this season.
If New York wants Drew, they have to strike fast. The market around the shortstop has been quiet, but with most pitchers already signed, he will become a focus for teams. The Boston Red Sox remain open to a return while the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays are keeping an eye on what happens.
