Arizona Diamondbacks: 5 Shortstops They Could Acquire to Replace Stephen Drew

With last week's news that Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew will likely start the 2012 regular season on the disabled list, the club is left with the precarious question of how to field Drew's replacement.

Though Drew has not played this spring and will not be available on Opening Day, the news is hardly new for Arizona, which has had to cope with filling Drew's shortstop position since his July 20 broken ankle injury.

By the end of 2011's regular season, Drew's starting responsibilities had been taken over by Willie Bloomquist (56 games), John McDonald (15 games) and Cody Ransom (four starts). Drew appeared in 86 games last season.

Thanks to Bloomquist's re-signing this offseason, the Diamondbacks have been able to pencil the veteran into the starting shortstop spot 13 times this spring out of 19 games played (including six split-squad contests).

Nonetheless, Bloomquist at shortstop was never intended to be a long-term solution: The D-Backs certainly hadn't anticipated Drew's prolonged injury.

Though it is not entirely clear when Drew will return, if the Diamondbacks get tired of waiting, they can talk to their fellow Cactus Leaguers, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who are going through a similar situation with first baseman Kendrys Morales.

Though Morales' injury has extended to the 22-month mark while Drew has just wrapped up Month No. 8, the similarities are striking: A talented and touted fielder suffers a devastating injury and is replaced by a cast of veterans, minor leaguers and fill-ins.

The Angels finally grew so impatient while waiting for Morales to return that their new GM Jerry Dipoto—formerly of the D-Backs—went out and brought back A-lister Albert Pujols, proving once and for all that any team can secure just about any player.

If the D-Backs do develop that SoCal mindset, here are several shortstops they could acquire via trade or free agency to replace Stephen Drew.

Miguel Tejada

Miguel Tejada's 2010 MLB Statistics: .269 AVG, 15 HR, 71 RBI

Stephen Drew's 2010 MLB Statistics: .278 AVG, 15 HR, 61 RBI*

Released by the San Francisco Giants after a disappointing 2011 season (.239 AVG, four HR, 26 RBI in 91 games), free-agent shortstop Miguel Tejada could be a manageable fit in Arizona.

Because of his shortened 2011 season, it is unknown whether over the course of a full season, Tejada could have turned his numbers around, though his power numbers do clearly trump Bloomquist's, who hit a grand total of seven home runs in 180 games from 2010-2011.

Bloomquist, however, retains the advantage of the running game: Bloomquist stole 20 bases last year while Tejada stole four.

*For the purposes of this slideshow, we are examining the most recent full season played for more accurate analysis. For instance, Stephen Drew's last full season (140 games or greater) came in 2010, prior to his injury-shortened 2011 campaign. Tejada, likewise, played a shortened season last season in San Francisco.

Edgar Renteria

Edgar Renteria's 2009 MLB Statistics: .250 AVG, 5 HR, 48 RBI

Stephen Drew's 2010 MLB Statistics: .278 AVG, 15 HR, 61 RBI

Since winning the 2010 World Series with the Giants and being named Series MVP, Renteria's stock has dropped dramatically in the baseball world.

A five-time NL All-Star, Renteria hasn't appeared in a Midsummer Classic since 2006, while his only Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards came when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 2000s.

Renteria is only 35 years old, yet he plays like a much older veteran—his .300-plus average seasons are behind him and he hasn't been a leader in steals or doubles since 2006. According to his agent, Renteria may be leaning toward retirement.

Such an acquisition might be possible, but would be extremely risky for the Diamondbacks, who seem to have a sure thing with Bloomquist.

Still, there is always that glimmer of hope that Renteria will break out of his recent ways and return to the MVP candidate fans used to see.

Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro's 2011 MLB Statistics: .304 AVG, 10 HR, 66 RBI

Stephen Drew's 2010 MLB Statistics: .278 AVG, 15 HR, 61 RBI

For the Chicago Cubs, shortstop Starlin Castro is one of several bright spots on a team perennially associated with busted World Series runs and broken deals—how could anyone ever convince them to get rid of Castro prior to the 2012 season?

In recording his first 200-hit, 20-steal season last year, Castro is a youngster whose career is skyrocketing fast. He has already surpassed Drew's numbers and figures to make his second consecutive All-Star team in 2012.

Yet if the Diamondbacks could offer a dream deal—perhaps blockbuster names Trevor Bauer or even young Paul Goldschmidt and prospect Tyler Skaggs or Cody Ransom—the Cubs may be convinced to part with Castro.

This would mean some very unpleasant news for D-Backs fans and what may likely be seen as an ill-advised trade that would raid the farm in the process.

Nonetheless, short of Derek Jeter or Jose Reyes, Starlin Castro is a premiere MLB shortstop that could bring great things to Arizona—though at what cost?

Emilio Bonifacio

Emilio Bonifacio's 2011 MLB Statistics: .296 AVG, 5 HR, 36 RBI

Stephen Drew's 2010 MLB Statistics: .278 AVG, 15 HR, 61 RBI

The Miami Marlins have a slight problem and I'm not referring to their selection of manager Ozzie Guillen—the problem is overcrowding and affects shortstop's Jose Reyes and Emilio Bonifacio.

Though Bonifacio is somewhat of a utility man, he has played the majority of his career at the shortstop position, which means Miami might look to offload Bonifacio in early 2012.

For Arizona, this could be welcome news as Bonifacio provides a consistent hitter with great speed—Bonifacio stole 40 bases last season in 51 attempts.

At 26 years old, Bonifacio is still young and would provide a safety net in case Drew's injury becomes a worst case scenario.

With 129 K's, Bonifacio is prone to the strikeout, though his seven triples last season placed him third behind Starlin Castro and teammate Reyes.

With the Marlins sticking with Reyes, there might be some throw-away gold for Arizona's taking in Bonifacio.

Erick Aybar

Erick Aybar's 2011 MLB Statistics: .279 AVG, 10 HR, 59 RBI

Stephen Drew's 2010 MLB Statistics: .278 AVG, 15 HR, 61 RBI

Albert Pujols' arrival has set off a chain-reaction log-jam in Anaheim this offseason. Former Rookie of the Year candidate Mark Trumbo, who had been playing first base, has played a few games at third base this spring training, while has played shortstop, second and third base during his stints in Arizona, Kansas City and with the Angels.

Then there's that pesky question of Maicer Izturis, who filled in all over the infield last year, most often at second base with regular Howard Kendrick.

The Angels have a crowded infield and though manager Mike Scioscia has downplayed all concerns over the sudden overpopulation, something has to give.

For Arizona, that something might be 2011 Gold Glove winner Erick Aybar, whose numbers compare quite nicely with Stephen Drew's.

Finally, Aybar's speed matches up quite nicely with those of outfielders Chris Young and Justin Upton. Young and Upton stole 22 and 21 bases last season, respectively, while Aybar nabbed 30 bags.

Then again, Willie Bloomquist stole 20.

None of the Above

Willie Bloomquist's 2011 MLB Statistics: .266 AVG, 4 HR, 26 RBI (97 games)

Stephen Drew's 2010 MLB Statistics: .278 AVG, 15 HR, 61 RBI

Compared to available or otherwise attainable shortstops throughout baseball, what is so bad about making no moves, anyway?

Though Stephen Drew's return would place the Diamondbacks in great position, temp replacement Willie Bloomquist has been more than adequate as Arizona's No. 2 shortstop.

At 34 years of age, Bloomquist still has ability and talent, which means the Diamondbacks are well covered in the event of a prolonged or Kendrys Morales-esque setback for Stephen Drew.

After re-signing Bloomquist through 2013 last November, the D-Backs might very well already have the ideal replacement candidate to replace Drew if the worst case scenario does make an appearance. At a cost of $1.9 million in 2012 and another $1.9 million in 2013, Bloomquist could be the most cost-effective and realistic candidate for the job.