What should the Yankees do with the 2nd base position heading into 2016?

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Arguably the weakest position on the field for the 2015 Yankees was second base. Stephen Drew was the starter for the first 5 months and was far from a fan favorite, because of his batting average which hung below the Mendoza line for the majority of the season. Yankee manager Joe Girardi backed up Drew, saying he was just unlucky. While Stephen did provide a spark at times, with a couple multi-homer games and a clutch 9th inning game tying single in Seattle, Drew is set to hit free agency and a return to pinstripes is unlikely.

That leaves us with the questions, what’s to make of the 2nd base spot moving forward into 2016? During the month of September, Dustin Ackley (the Yankees lone acquisition at the trade deadline) and highly regarded prospect Rob Refsynder (started in the Wild Card game) were part of the platoon at 2nd.  Ackley hit .288, with 4 homers and an OBP of .333 in 23 total games with the Yankees. Refsynder on the other hand, hit .302 with an OBP of .348 in only 43 at bats. At best guess right now, it will ultimately remain a platoon rather than a spring training battle for the starting job.

The Yankees also have the option to look outside the organization and into the free agent market. One name that stands out above all is utility man Ben Zobrist. The Yankees could plug him just about anywhere, but 2nd base would be the most obvious choice. That however, does not look likely considering Zobrist is fresh off winning the Fall Classic with the Royals and could resign.

The front office has made it clear that they aren’t going to break the bank in free agency, something that has become far too common for Yankees fans. That makes the Ackley/Refsynder platoon the most likely scenario. But it wouldn’t be a surprise if another name sneaks into the conversation such as a Jose Pirela. No matter who the 2nd baseman for the Yankees in 2016 is, it won’t be hard to surpass the production Stephen Drew gave the club in 2015.

Article by: Chris Giraldo
Follow me on twitter @Chris_Giraldo22
Follow the BBB on twitter @BronxBomberBlog

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