LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Yankees have spoken to the Diamondbacks about Patrick Corbin. But not just Patrick Corbin.
They also have had talks involving Brandon Drury, who could help fill what are now vacancies at second and third after the trades of Starlin Castro and Chase Headley, The Post has learned.
The Yankees’ priority is to deepen their rotation with one or possibly two starters, which is why they have homed in on Corbin, a lefty one year from free agency.
But they have long liked the versatility and hitting potential of Drury, and now they have openings for him.
Drury was Arizona’s primary second baseman last year, hitting .267 with 13 homers and a .764 OPS in 480 plate appearances. He played more third base in 2016 but is blocked there by Jake Lamb, though scouts generally believe he would defend better at that position. There also is a belief that he has a higher ceiling as a hitter than he has yet shown.
However, the Yankees are not the only team that views Drury this way. Arizona has talked to quite a few teams about the righty hitter.
Drury, 25, also is not even yet arbitration-eligible. That also works for the Yankees, who do not plan to spend significantly at second or third as part of their aim to get under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold.
The Yanks believe at some point in 2018 that Gleyber Torres will become their regular second baseman, possibly to begin the year. They also have Thairo Estrada, Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade to compete for that and third base, where they also have Miguel Andujar.