New York Yankees the Favorite to Sign SS Aledmys Diaz?

Feb 18, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and manager

(28) talk as they watch batting practice at Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

As everyone is well aware of by now, Yankees’ Shortstop Derek Jeter will be retiring following the upcoming 2014 season. Because of this, the Yankees will obviously have a big hole to fill . So who could possibly replace the great Derek Jeter at short?

The Yankees may have just found their man. Aledmys Diaz, is a 23-year old SS, who has played in the Cuban National Series (Cuban equivalent of MLB), since 2007. He has been a big hit with scouts, who have compared him to defensive highlight reel machine, Jose Iglesias, who is currently the SS for the Detroit Tigers.

There have reportedly been at least half a dozen teams including the Yankees, interested in making an offer to the Cuban SS. Diaz is expected to sign sometime within the next 48 hours, and rumor has it, the Yankees are the favorite to win his services.

The Yankees have been very aggressive with their international spending as of late, signing Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, to a 7-year $155 million deal last month. Hey, if you can’t grow ’em, buy ’em right?