So, who will it be? Many names have been floated, each with varying degrees of possibility as well as associated cost in terms of dollars (for free agent options) and/or prospects (should they trade for their next SS). Which player do you think is the best option, all things considered?
Here's a list of some of the most popular options:
HANLEY RAMIREZ
Ramirez will be a free agent so all it will cost the Yankees is money. He is the biggest name in free agency and was in the MVP voting in 2013 when he hit .345 with 20 homeruns, a .638 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.040. Ramirez is coming off a sub par season for his standards (hitting only .283, 13 homers and 71 runs batted in). He will be 31 years old next season, has had injury issues the past 4 seasons (has played an average of only 92.5 games in that time period). As one of the top players at any position to be available this offseason, Ramirez is reportedly looking for a contract in excess of $130 million over 6 years. If healthy he is an elite offensive SS. Defense many consider to be eroding and is viewed as more of a 3B now.
JJ HARDY
Like Ramirez, Hardy will also be a free agent at the end of this season. He won't cost near as much as Ramirez to sign but considering that he will be 33 before the end of next season and is coming off a year where his power "suspiciously" disappeared (only 9 homers this season despite hitting 25 last year) he likely won't be a long term solution. Hardy is a gold glove SS (won it in 2012 and 2013) and can probably sill be a top defensive SS for another season or so.
TROY TULOWITZKI
Perennial All-Star and MVP candidate Tulowitzki has long been rumored as the "natural" replacement for Jeter at SS in Yankee pinstripes. Growing up an avid Jeter fan Tulowitzki is rumored to desperately want to play in NY and take over the position of his childhood idol. Tulowitzki is arguably the games top SS and can do it all on both sides of the diamond (being able to hit for power, average, get on base as well as being a gold glove defender). At 29 years of age, he's also younger than either Ramirez or Hardy and plays the "right way" like Jeter does. Unlike Ramirez and Hardy however, Tulowitzki is not a free agent and despite the Rockies likely willing to look for financial relief by possibly moving the $118 million remaining on his contract, they reportedly will still require a "kings ransom" in prospects (multiple top tier prospects). Tulowitzki also has had some injury issues throughout his career and has not played in 143 games a season since 2009.
JOSE REYES
Still a productive hitter and on base threat, the 31 year old Reyes just has not been able to find his groove since leaving NY. As with Ramirez and Tulowitzki, Reyes has had probably staying healthy periodically throughout his career. His range and defense right now is probably considered average but moving back to NY may help bring back some of the electric play that Reyes was known for as recently as 2011. His contract has 3 years and $66 million left on it which would be a lot less than what either Ramirez is likely to get or that Tulowitzki is owed and unlike Tulowitzki, the Jays are not likely to look for a kings ransom from another team to shed Reyes contract.
STARLIN CASTRO
Castro is only 24 and his contract - $48 million guaranteed through 2019 is chump change in the Yankee universe. Castro has been an All-Star in 3 of his 5 seasons in the majors with the Cubs but has had concerns about conditioning, focus and production potentially having the Cubs being willing to trade him. The Cubs are currently flush with talented middle infielders (which makes moving Castro a possibility) but would be looking for (at least) one of the Yankees top pitching prospects (Luis Severino or Ian Clarkin). Other than this past season, Castro has shown to be extremely durable.
ASDRUBAL CABRERA
Cabrera has been a solid SS for 8 years which includes 2 trips to the All-Star game for the 28 year old. He has some power and is known for some highlight reel type plays. The power numbers have been dwindling and the advanced stats on his defense puts him actually subpar to Jeter this past season. He would be cheap and is probably more of a stop gap type (stop gap for whom I don't know since the Yankees closest realistic "SS prospect who can take over the starting spot long term" is probably about 4-5 years away if at all).
JUNG HO KANG
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYp6zt627oA[/youtube]
Kang is a superstar in Korea that is supposed to have monstrous power as well gold glove defense. Cardinals have reportedly been trying to keep him under wraps so that they can sign him when he's posted. More and more teams are apparently catching wind and have been heading over to Korea to see him play. He would not cost the Yankees any prospects (only money). Obviously concerns about the level of competition in the KBC are legit (as the Korean league is concerned below the Japanese league in terms of talent). But still, you never know. Kang is 27 years old and some believe he can play in the majors right away.
JED LOWRIE
Lowrie is a productive SS that will be hitting free agency once the A's are eliminated from the playoffs. He's coming off a subpar season but averaged 15 homers a season in 2012 and 2013. His batting average and on base percentage is the worst among the players listed here and he's already 30 so probably nothing more than just a couple year stop gap.
ELVIS ANDRUS
The 25 year old Andrus is a 2 time All Star and can be a very dynamic player on the field. There are some concerns going into this past season and throughout about Andrus focus and conditioning which, combined with his contract $15 million a season could make him a ripe candidate for the Rangers to look to shed. Like Reyes, may not cost the Yankees an arm and a leg in return. But he will have to shave that big chin beard due to the Yanks very conservative rules about hair length and facial hair.
celtics