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New York Yankees’ Best Option at Shortstop is Stephen Drew

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By @chriswgamble

Stephen Drew

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees will enter this offseason with a task they haven’t had to worry about since 1996 — finding a starting shortstop. Derek Jeter has played his last game and Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman will have to decide how to replace Jeter, at least on the field since it is impossible to replace Jeter off of it.

One candidate for the Yankees, J.J. Hardy, is already off the market after re-signing with the Baltimore Orioles before the start of free agency. There are still plenty of options to choose from but none really stick out. The best free agent at the position is Hanley Ramirez but he is likely to want a contract well over $100 million and has an injury history that should give most teams pause. However, Ramirez, when healthy, is a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat and plays a position where offense is a premium.

If the Yankees decide to go the cheaper route then they need look no further to the man they acquired this past season, Stephen Drew. Now, before you roll your eyes at least hear me out.

Drew hasn’t had a regular Spring Training in three years. Last season he didn’t sign with the Boston Red Sox until May 21. The Yankees acquired him at the deadline in hopes he would audition for the role of Jeter’s heir apparent while also getting in some time at second base. He didn’t exactly make a great first impression as he struggled mightily at the plate and hit just .150/.219/.271 with three home runs and 15 RBI in 140 at-bats.

However, Drew is entering his first offseason fully healthy for the first time in three years. He will be able to get back into a routine and potentially live up to the .747 career OPS. He will also come cheap and likely will accept a one-year deal as he tries to reestablish his value.

The Yankees already have a ton of expensive, long-term contracts doled out to aging veterans. If Drew is willing to take a one-year deal, it could allow the Yankees to spend money on offense in other areas, perhaps a corner outfield spot or allow them to re-sign Chase Headley for insurance for Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, two older veterans whose health must be questioned at this point.

Drew offers above-average defense and has shown he can have some pop in his bat when healthy. If he can hit .250/.330/.440 with 15 or so homers you have to take that. It is better than investing several years in another shortstop, like Asdrubal Cabrera, and hope you get some production for more than the first two years of the contract.

The Yankees don’t need to overspend this winter to replace Jeter. They need to find a capable replacement and Drew can be that. He is much better than the .162/.237/.299 slash line he posted this season. The Yankees could do a lot worse than Drew this offseason.

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