The Yankees acquired Stephen Drew and Martin Prado at the trade deadline, giving them even more depth on the infield.
I also am wondering if the Yankees are looking for longer term replacements for Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Prado is signed through 2016, so the Yankees could use him at second, because he’s not really a shortstop. If Chase Headley and/or Drew play well down the stretch, New York might decide to keep them. I wonder if New York will sign Headley to play third and move Alex Rodriguez back to shortstop if they don’t have a better option. Headley and Drew on the left side, however, would allow the Yankees to use Alex as their DH in 2015.
Yankees don’t have the final say on signing Drew and Headley even if they want to.
With Arod coming back on the books (even if released) and so many holes in the rotation due to injuries to CC, Tanaka and Nova which may carry over to next year, and with Pineda a major injury risk and no Kuroda, a lot of money will get tied up on pitching unless they are comfortable with Phelps, Whitley, Green, Pineda and hope one of CC, Tanaka, and Nova can make it back.
I do think the idea of Arod back to SS is over the top. Personally I think they will release him, move Prado to 3B, sign Drew or Hardy at SS and use one of their 2B prospects at 2B.
If Beltran moves back to RF they have room for a legitimate DH like a Dunn.
It’s irrelevant that a lot of money is tied up in pitchers. That money is spent. If a guy who can play infield and hit will cost money, the Yankees will pay the money — how much they pay their infielders has nothing to do with how much they pay their pitchers.