Yankees Considering a Run at Stephen Drew

Oct 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew (7) turns a double play over St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter (13) during the third inning of game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Surprise, surprise. According to Jon Heyman at CBS Sports, the New York Yankees are reconsidering making a play for former Red Sox shortstop, Stephen Drew. Drew hit .253 with 13 homers en route to Boston’s World Series victory.

This all comes in the wake of the Yankees signing prized Japanese right-hander, Masahiro Tanaka to the largest contract ever rewarded to a right-handed free agent. With their one-time hope of staying under the luxury tax threshold now seemingly impossible, a run at Drew would even make some sense, as New York brass may now figure to “go big or go home”. Having already committed upwards of $471 Million to free agents, the Yankees could look to deal another blow to Boston’s up the middle defense.

Contrary to these reports,  ESPN’s Buster Olney said on Wednesday that the Yankees were likely done spending big on the free agent market. This probably leaves the window open if and only if the 30-year-old shortstop’s asking price falls to a point where the Yankees would be happy making a deal.

The Red Sox, of course, have expressed some interest in re-signing the left-handed batter, albeit at their price. The Sox have no real need for Drew given the presence of Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts and the plethora of talented infielders in Boston’s minor league system. Should the Red Sox lose Drew to New York, or anyone for that matter, Boston stands to receive the second to last pick in Compensation Round A in the 2014 MLB draft.