Derek Jeter will be playing in his final season this year, and the New York Yankees are already preparing for their life without their superstar.
According to reports, the Yankees are already in search for a replacement shortstop, who will take the place of Jeter once he calls it quits after next season.
ESPN's baseball insider Andrew Marchand reported that Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes is on top of the Yankees' shortlist of possible replacement for Jeter.
According to Marchand, the Yankees have been pursuing Reyes over the past several years even during the time when the 30-year-old slugger was still with the New York Mets.
Sources indicated that the Yankees tried to acquire Reyes when he was a free agent during the winter of 2011. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had a discussion with Reyes' agent Peter Greenberg, but no deal materialized because Reyes was not interested in making a shift from shortstop to centerfield.
"During his free agent winter of 2011, a source told ESPN New York, Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Reyes' agent, Peter Greenberg, spoke and there was some brief discussion if Reyes could play center field. Nothing materialized," ESPN noted.
Three years later, the Yankees could make another run at Reyes, who could be a solid replacement to Jeter.
Marchand noted that the likelihood of Yankees acquiring Reyes depends on the performance of the Blue Jays next season. If the Blue Jays struggle again, sources added that they could send Reyes back to New York - this time with the Yankees.
"It is not that hard to imagine Cashman pursuing Reyes next winter. If the Blue Jays have a down year, but Reyes is still good, they may try to rebuild without Reyes. This could lead Cashman to dial the 416 area code. It should be noted Reyes, who turns 31 in June, still makes his family residence in Long Island," Marchand noted.
Reyes, who just batted .296 last season with 10 homeruns and 37 RBIs, opted not to comment about the possibility of replacing Jeter in New York, but he said that he is looking forward to playing his "idol" this season before Jeter officially ends his illustrious career.
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