The New York Yankees are off to an inconsistent start this season, but the club is looking to add more pieces to their roster in the hope of ending their playoff drought.
The Yankees, who failed to advance to the postseason over the past two seasons, are reportedly interested in free agent second baseman Andy Ibanez.
Ibanez worked out for Major League Baseball clubs on Saturday in the hope of getting a contract soon and the New York Post reported that the Yankees had a close look at the Cuban second baseman.
According to reports, the Yankees are looking to improve their second baseman position as Stephen Drew has just one year in his deal, while prospects Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela have yet to show definitive signs that they can handle the position moving forward.
Sources indicated that the Yankees also took a look at Atlanta Braves prospect Jose Peranza, but the Braves have no plans to part ways with him anytime soon, which is creating speculation that Yankees will go after Ibanez.
Ibanez, who batted .283 with 13 home runs in three seasons for Isla de la Juventud for the Cuban professional league, is also on the radar of the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, but the Yankees are in strong contention in the race to sign the 22-year-old.
The Cubs and Rangers cannot offer more than $250,000 to Ibanez until July 2 because they exceeded their 2013-14 international bonus pools. But if Ibanez decides to wait until July 2, the Yankees will be in an unfavorable situation because they cannot offer more than $300,000 since they have already exceeded their 2015-16 pool.
MLB sources reported that Ibanez might command a $6 million signing bonus with some teams willing to offer $7 to $10 million, including the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Yankees made a run at fellow Cuban Yoan Moncada in the offseason, but the Cuban infielder opted to accept a $31.5 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, snubbing the $25 million offer from the Yankees.
Aside from the Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs and Texas Rangers, the San Diego Padres were among the interested spectators during the workout as they are also looking for options in case Jedd Gyorko fails to live up to expectations. Also present during the workout were Cubans Ariel Miranda, Gelkis Jimenez and Lednier Ricardo.
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