The New York Yankees have addressed their need at second base and re-signed a veteran who played 34 games there last season. Meanwhile, free agent starter Brandon Beachy is optimistic about his chances of landing a contract.
New York will bring back infielder Stephen Drew on a one-year contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The deal will carry a base salary of $5 million plus $1 million to $2 million in incentives. Drew spent 46 games with the Yankees in 2014 after the Red Sox traded him to the Bronx at the deadline. The 31-year-old had the worst season of his career and slashed .162/.237/.299 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 85 games.
Drew will likely be the starting second baseman on Opening Day for the Yanks as they hope to give Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyder some more time in the minors. The two youngsters were the top candidates to fill the position after the team traded Martin Prado to the Miami Marlins, but it looks like they want the two young hopefuls to develop a bit more. Drew will cover the middle infield with newly acquired shortstop Didi Gregorius.
The nine-year veteran owns a career stat line of .256/.322/.425 with 97 home runs and 442 RBIs.
As for other free agents, starting pitcher Brandon Beachy was let go by the Atlanta Braves in December after the team opted to non-tender him. The right-hander missed all of the 2014 season as he recovered from the second Tommy John surgery of his career and he's only made 18 starts since 2012. According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, the 28-year-old Beachy hopes to sign with a team by Friday.
Beachy is fielding final offers from six teams and has thrown for seven clubs in the past 10 days. In 46 career starts since the 2010 season, the former Brave owns a 14-11 record with a 3.23 WEA and 1.13 WHIP and has struck out 275 batters in 267 2/3 innings. The Kansas City Royals gave Kris Medlen - another starter that was released by the Braves as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery - a two-year contract this offseason.
It looks like Beachy will have a new team by the end of the week.
