Team officials refused to comment one way or another about Drew, but league sources familiar with the Yanks’ plans have picked up a strong sense that the club won’t pursue Drew despite the need for contingency plans for an aging Derek Jeter, and current reliance on Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson to replace Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez.
There is a belief among agents and rival clubs that GM Brian Cashman is genuine in his public statements that he will begin the season with Roberts, Johnson, Eduardo Nunez and Brendan Ryan, and is done making significant acquisitions.
When the Yankees signed Japanese free agent Masahiro Tanaka to a seven year, $155 million contract last week, many in the game wondered if the team would continue its offseason spending spree, now that it had blown past a self-imposed $189 million payroll limit. But it appears that, despite holes in the infield and bullpen, the Yanks really have completed most of their winter work, and will not stretch the budget much further.
A trade is always possible, but the Yankees do not appear positioned to add much payroll that way, either. As one bit of evidence supporting that, they are no longer engaged in any effort to pry third baseman Chase Headley from San Diego, according to sources.
