The New York Yankees have concerns with the pitching rotations, but they also have some issues in the infield with second baseman Stephen Drew struggling at the plate and in the field. The Yankees are planning on making at least one or two moves at the trade deadline in order to remain in first place following the All-Star break and the clock is officially ticking for Drew who is on notice.
According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com, Drew's roster spot with the Yankees is no longer safe. At the moment, the team has called up prospect Rob Refsnyder for a tryout and manager Joe Girardi has hinted that there could be some shuffling of the roster. Girardi told the media that Refsnyder is not here on a trial basis and will stick around while the Yankees determine what to do with Drew. The manager indicated that Drew could be used more as a utility man if other players are added to the roster.
"He's been as good as anyone I've ever been around in handling all of this this season," Girardi said, via the New York Post. "We talked about what he needed to do, the different spots that he played, and he talked about just trying to help this team win. He's been great. We want him to be able to play all three positions, second, short and third. We've asked our middle infielders to be able to do that if you want to give Headley a day off, if you want to give Didi a day off, obviously he's going to play some second as well. Those sort of things. He's prepared to go in anywhere."
Will the trade deadline impact Drew's position with the team? According to FOX Sports, the Yankees are very interested in Ben Zobrist of the Oakland Athletics. Zobrist is gaining a lot of attention on the open market and could immediately take over at second base if the Yankees are not satisfied with either Drew or Refsnyder. The team is not going to be able to get rid of Drew so he would be more of a backup player while Refsnyder could find that he is the one traded.
PinestripeAlley.com is also reporting that Brandon Phillips could be an option. The Cincinnati Reds are not actively shopping the infielder, but will not turn down the offer if it is made. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has made it clear that the team will eye options to improve with the deadline approaching.
