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Free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew is garnering interest from the Tigers, Red Sox and Yankees, even though Detroit and New York are already set at the position, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
The Tigers, Red Sox and Yankees are among teams to have interest in free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew.
The Yankees' interest is curious since Drew has never played a game in the majors anywhere other than shortstop. However, it appears there's no need for alarm bells regarding Derek Jeter...
They apparently figured they'd see if Drew had any interest in a super sub role off an uncharacteristically down season.
The 29-year-old Drew had a down season offensively in 2012, hitting just .223/.309/.348 with seven home runs in seventy-nine games while working his way back from an ankle injury. The left-handed hitter's numbers improved markedly as the year went on -- especially after he was traded to the Athletics in late August -- but Oakland still decided to decline his $10 million option for 2013.
Despite his recent struggles, it is unlikely that Drew will accept the "super sub role" that the Yankees would like him to take on because there is such a thin market for shortstops already, according to Heyman. Drew would only be a fit in Detroit if the club can find a trade partner for current shortstop Jhonny Peralta, but could be a fit in Boston if the Red Sox do not think Jose Iglesias is ready to take over the position full-time.