Derek Jeter: Would Yankees Consider Trading for a Shortstop at the Deadline?
May 19, 2011Derek Jeter: Would Yankees Consider Trading for a Shortstop at the Deadline?
Derek Jeter's name has been in the headlines recently for all of the wrong reasons. First it was for his inability to hit anything other than a ground ball to the second baseman. Then it was for his backing of Jorge Posada and telling reporters that he had nothing to apologize for, which didn't sit too well with the big boys upstairs.
Would Yankee management ever consider bringing in an apparent heir to the shortstop throne after all of this controversy?
With Jeter past his twilight and a possible replacement in the farm system not knocking at the door, the Yankees might need to try to work their midseason magic.
The real question is, who could fill this void?
Jose Reyes
Let's be completely honest. This will probably never happen, but we can dream, can't we?
Our crosstown rivals have an explosive shortstop on their roster who is going to be a free agent in 2012. The Mets realize that their best option might to trade Reyes for some promising prospects, and the Yankees might have some that could spark their interest. Did someone say Jesus Montero?
At 27 years old, Reyes is in his prime but can't seem to stay healthy. Over the past two seasons, Reyes has only played a grand total of 169 games. The Yankees are not looking to bring in a player who is such an injury risk.
While Reyes is a dynamic player, this deal would never manifest even in our wildest dreams.
Yunel Escobar
Yunel Escobar is having himself quite the season but seems to be flying under the radar. This season, he is batting .295 with three HRs and boasts one of the strongest arms in the majors.
Escobar could be quite the upgrade over Jeter with the bat and the glove, but an trade within the division is very hard to fathom. If the Jays fall out of the race early this season, Yunel could become available since he will be hitting the free agent market in 2012.
Do the Yankees have the pieces to make these deal become a reality? Probably not. The Jays have their future catcher in J.P. Arencibia and a young pitching staff. Escobar will probably stay in Toronto until he tests the free agent market.
Michael Young
If the Yankees are really looking to make a deal at the deadline, they will have to explore all possible options.
Is a 34-year-old Michael Young that much better than a 35-year-old Derek Jeter? At first glance, you would think not, but the stats tell a different story. Young has more pop in his bat, as he hit 43 HR over the previous two seasons and sports a ridiculous BA this season at .344.
As Jeter gets older, his stats seem to steadily decline. Young, on the other hand, seems to continue to perform at a high level.
Regardless of the statistics, it does seem a bit counterproductive to bring in a 34-year-old to replace a Yankee legend who is only one year his senior.
Stephen Drew
Stephen Drew has the potential to be a star shortstop, but he just has not hit his stride yet. With pop in his bat and some wheels, Drew would be a great long-term option for the Yankees.
The Diamondbacks are still struggling to compete and could be looking to bolster their farm system with some prospects. The Yankees might have the pieces that they are looking for.
Is Drew on the market? No, but could something come about? Sure.
GM Kevin Towers and Brian Cashman have a great relationship, and maybe something could be put together at the trade deadline.
Is Any of This a Real Possibility?
As we all know with the Yankees, anything is possible. They are far from afraid to mix it up and bring some new faces in at the trade deadline.
After the allegiance that has been shown to Posada and other stars past their prime, it doesn't seem likely at all that any deal would take place.
The Yankees might not have an immediate option in their farm system, as Eduardo Nunez has proven to be a liability on the field, Ramiro Pena will probably never be an everyday player and Cito Culver doesn't seem to have the bat that the Yankees thought he had.
Jeter has been hitting a bit better as of late and still shows flashes of brilliance on the diamond, but everyone knows his days are limited. He is an old man playing a young man's position. Eventually something, or somebody, has to give.
For now, Jeter will be the Yankee shortstop even after the trade deadline comes and goes, but don't be shocked if Cashman has some tricks up his sleeve.
