WILL THE YANKEES SHOP FOR ANOTHER SHORTSTOP?

Someday Yankee fans everywhere will sit in front of their television and listen to another Yankee great hang up his spikes and call it a career. Thankfully, that day wasn't on Thursday and according to the captain himself it won't be this year either. That gives us all some level of comfort. Derek Jeter will play again sometime this year. When? No one knows. So until he is one hundred percent the Yankees have some decisions to make. Do the Yankees continue with the infielders we have, or will they go shopping for a temporary replacement? If they do, who is available?

The Yankees have trusted the shortstop duties to Eduardo Nunez and Jayson Nix since Spring training started. They have done well for the Yankees during this time, but we never expected them to fill in for this long. Now that we know that Jeter wont be back anytime soon....does this change their approach? Nunez has shown some major improvements this year defensively. He even surprised me so far. The question is, will the Yankees continue to put their faith in this kind of consistent performance going forward? While he has done well defensively, he has really struggled at the plate. He just doesn't look comfortable up there at all and he looks lost. It's weird how his strengths have switched this year. I never saw it coming.

On the other hand, Jayson Nix can also fill in when needed. He has always been known for having a better glove than a bat but even he is surprising people. Nix does have a great arm and he can make a play when needed. This year his bat has shown some signs of life. Sure, his .245BA isn't stellar but he has helped bring runs in, he has 4 RBIs and a home run. Like Nunez, you have to wonder if he can continue to produce like this all season. As the injuries pile up, increased playtime time could drain these guys.

It never hurts to explore what is out there, but the problem is that finding a shortstop right now is like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are three that the Yankees could target if they want some extra infield security.

Cesar Izturis would be an interesting option. He won a backup role for the Cincinnati Reds this spring as a non-roster invitee. If the Yankees are content with the infield as is, it couldn't hurt to pick up a bench piece for the time being. He would be able to fill in at shortstop when someone needs a day off, but he can also play second or third base as well. He would give the Yankees a lot of options because he is so versatile. He is also a switch hitter so he would give the Yankees a much needed right handed bat right now. He is off to a slow start so far with a .238BA, but he is willing to take a walk and won't chase balls as often. He is also playing a back up role for the Reds everyday shortstop Zack Cozart, so the Reds may be more willing to part with him then some of the other options out there.

(In photo: Elvis Andrus)
If it were still Spring Training then Elvis Andrus might be an option. During the off season it was rumored that the Texas Rangers might be willing to part ways with him. His contract was going to expire at the end of the 2014 season and the St Louis Cardinals were looking to replace their own shortstop. Andrus was tied with the Cardinals for awhile read that here. Fast forward a month later and now he has a new contract extension with the Rangers read that here and he wont be a free agent until 2023. The idea of Andrus is nice, but if we have learned anything this off season it is that the Yankees just are not going to make any sort of long term commitments right now. It's a nice theory, and it would mean that the Yankees wouldn't have to worry about replacing Jeter when his dreaded retirement announcement comes along but it is probably too little too late.

If the Cleveland Indians don't make a playoff run this year they could decide to deal Asdrubal Cabrera. The Indians made some big moves in the last year or so and they believe they are a team that could contend, at least that is the plan. If they are too far behind by the All-Star break they could become sellers, and if they are then I bet they would throw Cabrera into trade talks. His name has already been involved in trade rumors, including during the off season, read Cleveland beat writer Jordan Bastian's tweet here. Cabrera is signed through 2014, so he wouldn't be a long term investment. He can also play second base and he is a switch hitter as well. His .229BA isn't impressing many right now but he does have 2HR, 5RBI and a stolen base so far this year. He is also a patient hitter so he wont chase pitches. If the Yankees could get him for the right price he might have a lot to offer the team.

Shopping for a shortstop is never easy, it's probably one of the most difficult positions to fill. Luckily for us, our backups have performed so far. Unless Jeter suffers another setback I don't see them making any moves for a new shortstop. Of course, if the Yankees do make any moves we will have all of that information here for you. Even if the Yankees did make a move, filling Derek Jeter's shoes is no easy task! The Captain will be back in time, I bet money on it.

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor 
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in