CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees have worked out the framework of a one-year contract with free agent infielder Stephen Drew.
It’s expected to carry a base salary of around $5 million with an additional $1-2 million available through performance-based incentives. That’s not a terrible haul for a guy who batted just .162/.237/.299 in 2014 and owns a rough .228/.305/.382 slash line in 374 games since the beginning of the 2011 season.
Drew will presumably serve as New York’s starting second baseman in 2015 -- a role he dabbled in toward the end of last summer. That will give infield prospects Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela a little more time to marinate in the minors.
Drew’s double-play partner this time around will be offseason trade acquisition Didi Gregorius, not Derek Jeter. Drew can also pitch in at shortstop if Gregorius struggles in his new locale.