Time to rebuild/reload

[a700hitter]

Yankees To Sign Stephen Drew

By Steve Adams [January 6, 2015 at 8:42pm CST]

The Yankees and Stephen Drew are on the verge of completing a one-year agreement that will pay Drew roughly $5MM, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Drew, a client of Scott Boras, will be able to boost the value of the deal to about $6-7MM via performance incentives, according to Heyman.

 

MLB: New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays

 

The team has already acquired the slick-fielding Didi Gregorius to handle shortstop in the long-term, so Drew’s role will be to play second base, at least against right-handed pitchers, tweets the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Drew can also provide the Yankees with some insurance in the event that Gregorius is not yet ready to handle shortstop for the long haul.

 

The addition of Drew likely means that prospects Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela will no longer be competing for the second base job in Spring Training, as many had assumed would be the case. However, since both are right-handed hitters, either could conceivably end up as part of a second base platoon with Drew. Refsnyder, in particular, crushed left-handed pitching last season, batting .385/.447/.587 in 161 plate appearances. Of course, Pirela’s .319/.382/.493 line versus southpaws from 2014 is also highly impressive.

 

Drew is coming off a dreadful season at the plate in which he batted just .162/.237/.299 with seven homers in 300 plate appearances between the Red Sox and Yankees. Of course, Drew also sat out for the first two months of the season and jumped into the fray with just a week or so worth of Triple-A at-bats under his belt. Drew and Boras struggled to find a multi-year deal to their liking last winter, a fact that they at least partially chalked up to a qualifying offer limiting Drew’s market (a lofty asking price likely didn’t help matters).

 

Rather than take a diminished deal or even a one-year pact that would allow him to report to camp and hit the open market again this offseason, Drew waited until the Red Sox offered him the pro-rated version of the qualifying offer (roughly $10MM at that point) in late May before agreeing to a deal. As Drew’s production and near-agreement reflects, that move did not pan out as Drew’s camp had hoped.

 

Nonetheless, Drew is a capable defensive infielder that is just one season removed from a .253/.333/.443 batting line in 501 plate appearances with the Red Sox. His left-handed stroke does seem to be a good match with the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium, although that wasn’t the case in 2014 when he batted just .149/.208/.253 in the Bronx

Fred will be happy.

[jacksonianmarch]

He couldn't be worse than what he was a year ago, could he?

[a700hitter]

He couldn't be worse than what he was a year ago, could he?

No, plus he reportedly had a personal problem. If he returns to his2013 form, he will be a bargain.

[jacksonianmarch]

A lefty bat with power in the middle of the diamond is a boon. That being said, they're saying this is a move to give Refsnyder and Pirela some time, but I think he's an insurance policy for Gregorius

[jacksonianmarch]

Also, Refsnyder or Pirela could be a platoon partner with Drew. He gives us an option up the middle, although who knows if he's gonna be good. I'd rather ride with the kids to be totally honest

[Spudboy]

I think that this was a very good move for the Yankees. For all of the reasons Jacko has mentioned plus.

 

I have no idea why Drew went from being a legit MLB bat to being an instant out. I thought the concussion was the problem. The missed spring training, blah, blah, blah.

 

I like his game when he hits. That D is plus and he can hit.

 

Boy his value went into the crapper. Poor Boris.

[Palodios]

Drew helped the Sox win a ring, and posted a 3.4 WAR as recently as 2013. I'm still hoping he turns his year around, although I would prefer if any of his success comes in blowout games where it doesn't affect the outcome of any games.

[Bellhorn04]

I think that this was a very good move for the Yankees. For all of the reasons Jacko has mentioned plus.

 

I have no idea why Drew went from being a legit MLB bat to being an instant out. I thought the concussion was the problem. The missed spring training, blah, blah, blah.

 

I like his game when he hits. That D is plus and he can hit.

 

Boy his value went into the crapper. Poor Boris.

 

Still and all, Stephen has done OK for himself, having made $45-47 million for his career including this contract.

[Spudboy]

Still and all, Stephen has done OK for himself, having made $45-47 million for his career including this contract.

 

I always wonder how much these guys are able to save if at all after commissions, taxes, etc.

 

I bet most of them are too dumb to handle their money well.

[seabeachfred]

Drew helped the Sox win a ring, and posted a 3.4 WAR as recently as 2013. I'm still hoping he turns his year around, although I would prefer if any of his success comes in blowout games where it doesn't affect the outcome of any games.

 

With a full Spring Training he ought to do better than he did last season when he stunk to high heaven. Actually, this could be a good insurance policy for the Yankees.

[Kimmi]

I am and always have been a big fan of both Drew boys. I think it's a good signing for the Yanks. I thought the Sox should have re-signed him during the offseason last season.

 

Unfortunately, I will not be able to pull for him, being that he will be donning the pinstripes.

[Kimmi]

IMO, it's really hard to project how either the Red Sox or Yankees will do this season. There are just too many "ifs" with both teams.

 

I think both teams are in a similar spot with their starting rotations. Both could potentially be very good (Yankees having more potential than the Sox), but that's provided that a lot of things go right. While I don't think either team needs to add a top of the rotation guy, I think that both teams should.

 

In terms of bullpens, Yankees look very good.

 

In terms of offense, both teams struggled with scoring runs last season, and struggled with getting that key hit when they needed it. I think (hope) the Sox have addressed that problem. I don't think the Yankees have. Then again, the potential is there, I suppose, but with a lot of "ifs".

 

Two additional factors for the Yankees: 1. What effect will Arod have on the clubhouse? 2. Everyone knows how lucky the Yankees are. ;-)

[jacksonianmarch]

Both teams have the potential to make the playoffs. They also could potentially end up in last place. I have no expectations with the roster as is. We could win 70 or 100 and anything inbetween. I would probably revamp that if they do rid the world of the shift.

[User Name]

100? I want some of what you're smoking.

[jacksonianmarch]

Maybe 100 if everyone is healthy, Eovaldi turns the corner and the shift is removed.

[Spudboy]

I think that the Sox can win 100 too. IF....

[Ogden]

Maybe 100 if everyone is healthy, Eovaldi turns the corner and the shift is removed.

 

 

I heard Girardi included spring training games in his win prediction total. Hal didn't know the difference. But that's just a rumor.

[Spudboy]

I heard Girardi included spring training games in his win prediction total. Hal didn't know the difference. But that's just a rumor.

 

Lol.

 

You will fit in here quite well!!!

[Ogden]

Lol.

 

You will fit in here quite well!!!

 

 

Francesa dropped that tidbit when he wasn't complaining about FoxSports1 pre-empting his TV simulcast so much.

 

http://www.richardtimothy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/09-Raised-Eyebrows.jpg

[Palodios]

http://www.theonion.com/articles/yankees-rookie-nervously-tells-arod-how-much-he-us,38117/

[jacksonianmarch]

Sabathia worked in the low 90s yesterday. Promising

[Kimmi]

I read that the Yankees plan to be under the luxury tax limit in two years. Ha! That plan lasted for one offseason last time, then panic set in, and the Yanks reverted back to what they know best.

[jacksonianmarch]

It will be hard to stay ABOVE the $189 million as it stands right now. We have so much money coming off the books that we'd need to try and make asinine signings to stay above it. Think about it...

 

After 2016, Sabathia, Teixeira, and Beltran come off the books and depending on Tanaka's health, he might too. That's an AAV of $63 mil if Tanaka stays and $88 mil if he goes

After 2017, ARod comes off the books as does Gardner. That's another $40 mil AAV

 

We are expected to have a salary figure of around $210 mil. After removing our #4 starter, bum 1b, bum DH/RF, bum Roid user, and good LFer, we would be down around $100 mil. I know we're gonna spend, but in the post roid age where FA's turn into pumpkins, you would be hard pressed to see NY go over that threshold without being f***ing stupid, especially since our minor league system should be f***ing loaded by then

[seabeachfred]

My take on this is IF the Red Sox meander in the middle of the AL East pack this year and next the Yankees will be prudent and finally go on their economy of sound signings and development of the farm system. IF, OTOH, the Red Sox win a pennant or WS this year or next, all bets are off. We ought to know by now what the Yankees always do when the Red Sox win, and I think even an AL East title by us could get the New Yorkers to push the panic button. They cannot abide the Red Sox winning anything when they come up short......and I think most of us know that by now.

[Spudboy]

I see no reason to expect that the Yankees will show restraint if talent they feel that they need to win the division and more is available. This year there were not that many big ticket / impact players that they identified as needs available.

 

If they need pitching this July I see no reason why they will not simply make some deals. And if most of the decent free agent arms are available in the 2015 off season, they could snatch up whatever they want.

 

The Yankees have what should be a very good pen now. They need to get some offense and reliable pitching to get back to being dominant or at least competitive for a few years.

 

Of course this is just my opinion.

[jacksonianmarch]

Spud, here is what I hope. I am hoping that we can actually have a true schism in the Yankee front office. I honestly think Cashman is the right man for the job. He was here when the Boss was around and George'd deal any prospect for a win now any day of the week. There was good reason, the old f*** was dying as it turned out. Now, they have two owners who are probably going to be alive for awhile. Hank has stepped to the background and Hal is the managing partner. That being said, with George out of the picture, we still had the ridiculous moves of signing ARod and Rafael Soriano, both of which Cashman was against. The problem is, agents have classically gone above Cashman to get a deal done. With the most recent contract negotiation, I think Cashman has finally wrested roster control from Andy Levine, something that should have happened years ago. Cash wants to get younger. And when you get younger, you usually get cheaper. I hope in the transition, we can stay competitive. We haven't had the young talent in our current rotation probably since well before the dynasty years. The problem with our young pitcher is they are all injury risks. We haven't had the immense depth in the farm system in years as well. And while the position player depth is a little light in AAA, we are starting to see a lot of solid prospects reach A, A+ and AA. The system is about to be very good for a very long time. But in order to get very good, you have to avoid dealing away every potential star for a flavor of the month. I hope we can get under the cap, not because I don't want us to cheap out, but because staying under the cap means we give some of the kids a chance. I think Cashman also sees the trend in major league baseball. In the roid era, careers were 15 years long or more. Now, after roids and greenies have been banned, the contracts are still being doled out as if guys can play into their late 30s, even though the guys are losing it 3-4 years earlier. So if we are over the cap after 2016, it is because we have returned to the errors of the past. And since we really started flexing our financial muscle (started with Mussina in 2001), we have one WS title to our name (2009). And looking 200 miles northeast, you see 3 titles, with the last two being generated significantly from guys developed in the system. And with teams having extra money due to revenue sharing, teams are locking up their own players until they are towards the end of their prime. So the guys on the market are either about to turn into s*** or are gonna go for absolute top dollar. Those aren't the players you build a team around. So in short, I hope Cashman has the power, I hope he can retool quickly and then use his money wisely to turn this team from an aging behemoth to a juggernaut capable of dominating for years to come. If we are far over the cap after 2016, we are following in the errs of the past

[Ogden]

Jackson, that's a good analysis although I don't share your enthusiasm for Cashman. They really need new blood running scouting and the farm system although it has been on the upswing the last year or two. Here's a Baseball America article from about 6 months ago addressing that.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/yankees-minors-get-major-revamp/

[jacksonianmarch]

Cashman has been hamstrung with these contracts for years. Big splashes in the offseason and pretty significant fixes during the season. Last offseason saw us nab Tanaka which looks like a good move talent wise, but the signing of Ellsbury had mixed reviews and the first seasons of McCann and Beltran were pretty ugly. But what Cashman has done on the fly sets him apart IMO. He parlayed Solarte into Headley, dealt nothing for McCarthy, got Prado for an all power DH prospect who plays a little catcher and a few other moves which all actually worked out. I think Cash pushing the buttons is good for the org. Our minor league system need a revamp. I was glad to see Newman gone, but I wanted Oppenheimer out as well. Our first round draft picks have been abysmal over the past few seasons before 2013, and even though we did find value later in drafts, your top picks should have some success. I agree that I would have liked our minor league system to be run by an outsider, preferably one from STL or ATL as those places seem to always fill their squads with big league ready minor league talent on a yearly basis. That being said, what we did on the INTL stage is substantial. By signing 9-10 of the top 20 prospects coming out of the IFA period, we have pretty much created a wave which we should be able to ride once these kids start blossoming, which will likely take 3-4 years. And while our first round picks have mostly been abject failures from 07-12, the guys found after the first round have provided us with a multitude of options as they come of age. I think our farm actually has the talent. I just hope the new guy running it can get the most out of it

[jacksonianmarch]

And Ogden, our first rounders had included guys like Cito Culver and injured players like Andrew Brackman. In 2013, it seemed like they topped their drafts with guys in the BA top 100 draft prospects and lo and behold, the three first rounders selected that year are all in our top 10 with the big guy, Judge, looking like a future all star. I think the system tried to be Belichickian in their drafting, finding diamonds in the rough rather than drafting best available with our top picks. I hope they learned their lesson

[Spudboy]

Excellent Post Doc.

 

I am not a Yankee fan by any means. However, I was used to seeing the Yankees being near the top and always competitive.

 

It will be interesting to see how they rebuild.