MLB Rumors: Yankees Interested In Cuban Shortstop Aledmys Diaz, Who Could Earn Up To $30 Million

It was no secret that New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was in the home stretch of his stellar career but after the Yankee captain announced that the 2014 Major League Baseball season will be his last, New York higher-ups were forced to begin thinking about the future of the position, if they hadn't already. While names like Troy Tulowitzki, Starlin Castro, Elvis Andrus and current free agent Stephen Drew have all been linked with the Bronx Bombers in the past, multiple sources indicate that the 27-time World Series champs are looking outside the major leagues for young, promising shortstop talent.

According to NBC Sports, the New York Yankees are monitoring 23-year-old Cuban star Aledmys Diaz. The youngster – who batted a crisp .315 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 2012 – was initially going to sign with an MLB club in 2013, but due to the falsifying of his age in order to gain a larger contract, the shortstop was suspended for one year, halting any dreams he had of playing in the MLB. Though many believe his future in Major League Baseball may be at second base, the Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres have all scouted the Cuban as a shortstop.

New York hopes to get one final positive season from Derek Jeter in 2014 but should the soon-to-be 40-year-old suffer another setback, the club does have other players on the roster capable of filling in. Yankees product Eduardo Nunez holds the ability to play shortstop, second and third base but injuries have hampered his development over the past few seasons while Brendan Ryan serves as a suitable choice as well. Free agent Stephen Drew remains on the market but it appears unlikely that New York will sign him to a contract.

It surely won't be easy to replace a 20-year veteran like Derek Jeter but should the Yankees make a strong push for Diaz, the club will have to be prepared to make another serious financial move. Recently inking Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka to a seven-year, $150 million deal, New York – or any club that eventually signs Aledmys Diaz – should be ready to drop upwards of $30 million for the rising shortstop.

The Yankees open their season on April 1 in Houston.