There is no question the Yankees have major issues at the second base position. Stephen Drew has gotten off to a horrific start as the starter. He is hitting .165 in 49 games. He has the lowest batting average for qualified hitters in Major League Baseball.
With Drew struggling so much, the Yankees went to Jose Pirela to take the job. However, that has not happened yet. Like Drew, Pirela is struggling to get anything going offensively.
So it comes as no surprise that the Yankees are in the market for a second baseman. The name that has come up is Oakland Athletics’ Ben Zobrist.
The Athletics traded for Zobrist over the winter but have gotten to a rough start so far this season. Many believe they will become sellers at the deadline and Zobrist is one of their more tradeable chips.
Zobrist has experienced some injuries this season only playing in 23 games. The veteran utility man will provide the Yankees with solid defense and much more hitting than Drew and Pirela have given them.
The Yankees are also interested in struggling Seattle Mariner Dustin Ackley. He is hitting only .196 in limited playing time. This would surprise many as Ackley would not to a major upgrade offensively.
Another surprise is the news that the Yankees are not one of the teams interested in left-handed starting pitcher Cole Hamels. With struggling CC Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi, the Yankees could also use another starter.
Noted Arby’s lover @JonHeymanCBS says the Yanks are interested in Ben Zobrist and Dustin Ackley. http://t.co/d4q18lTu4X
— River Ave. Blues (@RiverAveBlues) June 5, 2015
However, as CBSSports’ Jon Heyman reported, the Yankees are unwilling to add another long-term contract. The Yankees seem ready to be very active when the trade deadline comes. There are plenty of holes on this inconsistent team so you can see why.
In this wide open American League East, the team that makes the right moves will take the division by storm.
