Derrek Lee Will Not Return to Play For Yankees

The Yankees, desperate for depth and a replacement for the injured Mark Teixeira at first base, reached out to several veterans including the retired Chipper Jones and Derrek Lee. Jones made clear immediately that he has no plans on coming back, and after several days of deliberation Lee came to the same conclusion on Thursday. Lee played 15 seasons in the major leagues, spending time with the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. He owns 331 career home runs, 1,078 RBI, three Gold Gloves and was a two-time All-Star. As a member of the Cubs in 2005, Lee finished third in MVP voting and posted a .335 batting average with 46 home runs, 107 RBI and 50 doubles. Lee last played in 2011 for the Orioles and Pirates; he batted .267 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI. On Monday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admitted that he “was not too optimistic” Lee would come aboard. The Yankees must fill holes at first base and left field because Curtis Granderson is expected to miss the first month of the season with a broken forearm. Juan Rivera was expected to take Granderson’s spot but may now be needed to man first base. Kevin Youkilis is slotted to play third, but he can swap to first if necessary. There are several paths the Yankees can take with their current crop of players. They can shift Youkilis to first base and play Eduardo Nunez on an everyday basis at third while playing a combination of Rivera, Matt Diaz and prospect Melky Mesa in left field. They can leave Youkilis at third base, put Rivera at first and trust Mesa as their everyday left fielder. They also have the option of playing Dan Johnson (career line—.237, 56 HR, 194 RBI in) at first base or risking the health of oft-injured designated hitter Travis Hafner there.