Reaction: Was Re-Signing Stephen Drew The Right Move?

If you’re a fan of the New York Yankees, you are well aware that late last night, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Bombers have re-signed infielder Stephen Drew to a one-year deal worth $5 million dollars, which could go up to $7 mil if he meets all of his contract incentives. Reading through various comments on social media, you will find a mixed bag of reactions, ranging from “What are the Yankees thinking?” to “Nice depth move.” So, which is it? 

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Looking at the big picture, it’s most likely the latter rather than the former. Don’t think for one second that Joe Girardi is handing Stephen Drew anything. This is a guy that held out and held out and held out some more, expecting a large contract last winter because that’s what his agent, Scott Boras told him he was going to get. After missing a good chunk of the spring, he finally settled and re-signed with the Boston Red Sox, only to be dealt to the Yankees at the deadline for another stiff that didn’t quite work out, Kelly Johnson. Drew is in no position to demand or expect anything other than an opportunity to earn playing time and at-bats. His 2014 was one in which we’d all like to forget, as he posted a triple slash line of .162/.237/.299 with 7 home runs and 26 driven in between Boston and New York.

Several teams reportedly believe Drew is washed up. A has been. The best of his days are long behind him. The Yankees view it in a different way. When he came to New York, he wasn’t going to displace Captain Derek Jeter, but instead, displaced another retread that couldn’t hack it either, Brian Roberts, who was quickly shown the door. By the end of the season, in hindsight, perhaps Roberts would’ve been the better option. But, with that said, Stephen Drew does bring value to the Yankees in 2015. No, he’s not going to displace the recently acquired Didi Gregorius at shortstop, nor should he displace Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder. What Stephen Drew is going to do, is that he’s going to push the three youngsters, and if any of the triumvirate falters, the Yankees have a proven veteran who can step in at a moment’s notice.

Drew brings a solid glove and the ability to play both shortstop and second base. Last winter, it was even suggested on this very website, that the Yankees sign Drew to be the everyday third baseman, so his ability to play there to isn’t out of the question. Who becomes expendable? Try Brendan Ryan. Sure, Drew only hit .162 last season, but another guy who has been solid, and missed most of last spring waiting to get a larger contract struggled as well. Who was that? Kendrys Morales. I would expect to see Drew return to his career norms of a .260-.270 batting average, 8-10 home runs, and 35-45 runs batted in as a reserve infielder.

Maybe Pirela nor Refsnyder are ready. Maybe the Yankees as we’ve discussed, are cooking something up that involved one of the two second base prospects as part of a bigger deal for an impact arm. Maybe having depth–a requirement of any championship-caliber ballclub, is the Yankees only intention in this signing. What’s the worst that could happen? Drew doesn’t pan out by halfway through the season and he gets DFA’d? For $5 million dollars, there are much worst investments the Yankees could make.