MLB Rumors: Troy Tulowitzki Listed Among Possible Derek Jeter Replacements; Hanley Ramirez, Stephen Drew Options As Well

After long-time New York Yankees shortstop and captain Derek Jeter announced he’ll retirement following the 2014 Major League Baseball season, organization higher-ups were tasked with the job of finding a suitable replacement for the 19-year veteran, if they hadn’t already been doing so in previous years. Of course any time a big-name player like Derek Jeter decides to hang up their jersey after a decorated career, numerous names get thrown around as possible replacements moving forward. Current free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, Chicago White Sox veteran Alexie Ramirez and current Los Angeles Dodgers star Hanley Ramirez have all been linked with the 27-time World Series champions in recent time, but there is another name that is continuously tied to New York and Derek Jeter.

Though he still has seven years and over $155 million remaining on his contract, 29-year-old Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki continues to come up in conversations concerning potential heirs to the Yankees’ shortstop throne. Tulowitzki – who grew up a devout fan of Jeter and currently wears No. 2 like the Yankee captain – burst onto the MLB scene in 2007, batting a crisp .291 with 24 home runs and 99 RBIs while guiding the Rockies to the franchise’s first World Series in its twenty-one year history. Understanding that filling the shoes of Derek Jeter would be a tall but honorable mission, Tulowitzki said recently that his main focus is to help Colorado bounce back from consecutive last-place finishes in the National League West.

“I know that right now I'm wearing a Rockies uniform and my job is to prepare and try to have the best season that I can and we can as a team," he said. "I think if we play good baseball those rumors will go away. But I know if we don't, they won't go away. I'd love to stay here my whole career. But I know if you lose, other teams may be calling or things might happen. For the organization, it is a critical year. We've had two last-place finishes in a row. Some of our key players have had some injuries. And we know being a mid-market team that sometimes your window in a place gets short.”

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez is hoping to receive a contract extension from the defending National League West champions but if that does not happen, the former Florida Marlins star could find himself in the Bronx, a place where many believe a strong fit exists. While Tulowitzki and Ramirez remain interconnected with the Yankees, other notable shortstops including JJ Hardy of the Baltimore Orioles, Asdrubal Cabrera of the Cleveland Indians and even Toronto Blue Jays and former New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes continue to garner the attention of those associated with the Yankees.

In-house names such as Eduardo Núñez and Brendan Ryan – who will battle for significant time at shortstop this season with the Yankees – are also options as well.