NEW YORK -- The Yankees and free agent Stephen Drew have agreed to a one-year deal that would settle the team's starting infield for 2015, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.
According to the source, Drew has agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million, pending the passing of a physical. Sources told ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney that Drew can earn an additional $1.5 million in incentives -- $500,000 each for 450, 500 and 550 plate appearances. Drew has reached 450 plate appearances once in the past four seasons, with 501 in 2013.
Drew batted .150 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 46 games for the Yankees last season after being acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. He is expected to be the Yankees' starting second baseman to go along with Mark Teixeira at first, newly signed Didi Gregorius at shortstop and Chase Headley, who signed a four-year contract last month, at third.
Drew, 31, struggled through a lost 2014 after he rejected a $15 million qualifying offer last winter from the Red Sox, for whom he was a member of the 2013 World Series championship team. But an expected long-term free-agent deal never materialized, and Drew eventually signed a one-year deal with Boston worth $10.1 million. He did not play his first game with the Red Sox until June 2 of last season and batted .176 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in 39 games.
Neither Yankees GM Brian Cashman nor Scott Boras, Drew's agent, immediately returned calls seeking comment. The deal was first reported by CBSSports.com.