Drew returns to Yankees with one-year deal

Jan 16, 2015 - 5:02 PM Bronx, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Yankees have signed infielder Stephen Drew to a one-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but reports earlier this month indicated the deal to be worth $5 million.

Drew has spent much of his nine-year career at shortstop, but will likely be the Yankees' first option at second base in spring training. He played 34 games at second base for New York last season after being acquired from Boston on July 31.

The 31-year-old veteran struggled to even find a home last year after becoming a free agent following the 2013 campaign with the Red Sox. He didn't accept Boston's qualifying offer and finally re-signed with the Red Sox on May 21.

After appearing in 39 games with the Red Sox, he was dealt to the Yankees for infielder Kelly Johnson and went on to hit just .150 with three homers and 15 runs batted in for New York. Overall, Drew batted just .162 in a combined 85 games.

In 1,021 games with the Yankees, Red Sox, Athletics and Diamondbacks, Drew is a career .256 hitter with 97 homers and 442 RBI. He was selected by Arizona in the first round of the 2004 draft.

The Yankees designated outfielder Eury Perez for assignment to open a roster spot.