Breaking News: Yankees Re-Sign Stephen Drew

Well well well it looks like the Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela second base competition just got a little more interesting. According to CBS Sports Jon Heyman the Yankees are bringing back a familiar face to compete for the job; Stephen Drew.

yankees will have deal with stephen drew. deal expected to come in at about $5M plus incentives to bring it to $6-7M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 7, 2015

Drew gives the Yankees insurance at both second and short in case young players like Refsnyder and Pirela and Didi Gregorius falter. If Drew starts at second, it can turn Pirela into a super utility player, giving the Yankees another player to throw into the mix at multiple positions coming off the bench. It can also give Refsnyder a little more time to develop in AAA (remember he isn’t even on the 40-man roster)

Drew was acquired back on July 31 from the Boston Red Sox last season for Kelly Johnson. In 46 games, Drew hit just .150 for the Yankees. Drew didn’t sign with the Red Sox until May 21 last season when no one signed him in the off-season because of being tied to draft pick compensation.

It’s a one year gamble on someone who hit .253/.333/.443 with 13 homers and 67 RBI the last time he started a season on time in 2013.

If Drew doesn’t hit he’ll be gone since it’s a one year deal.

Look for Drew and Gregorius vs righties and Brendan Ryan and Pirela vs lefties up the middle in 2015.

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