TAMPA — The Yankees will need a new shortstop next season, and though free agent Stephen Drew is still available, they continue to look elsewhere. One potential option is 23-year-old Cuban Aledmys Diaz, who had a showcase Thursday.
He is eligible to sign with a team next week and the Yankees were one of five teams in attendance.
Diaz could end up at second base in the majors, another position of need in The Bronx. He was suspended last year for falsifying his age.
The Mariano Rivera farewell tour will make one more stop: Panama City.
The Yankees finalized a two-game exhibition series against the Marlins to be played in Rivera’s native Panama on March 15 and 16. The retired closer will serve as one of the promoters of the event at Rod Carew Stadium.
“As long as I can remember, it has been my dream to bring my team, the Yankees, to play baseball in Panama,” Rivera said in a statement. “I grew up playing in Puerto Caimito, where I developed my passion for baseball and began a journey that brought me to New York. It is my hope that this legacy series will inspire other young players to pursue their dreams.”
Major League Baseball last came to Panama in 1947, when the Yankees played several exhibition games against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Proceeds from the games and a March 14 fund-raiser will benefit the Mariano Rivera Foundation and the Children’s Hospital in Panama City.
Though the weather in Florida is fine, the snowstorm in New York has had an impact on some of the Yankees travel plans. Both manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman were snowed in and are expected to arrive in Tampa on Friday. Girardi is scheduled to address the media for the first time this spring on Friday afternoon.
Derek Jeter and Masahiro Tanaka met for the first time Thursday.
Jeter said jokingly he needs to work on his Japanese before he can communicate with the new pitcher and did not stick around to watch Tanaka throw. Tanaka hasn’t spoken with reporters since Tuesday’s press conference in The Bronx.
Ivan Nova made his first appearance of the spring, but declined to speak to the media.
The right-hander had an up-and-down 2013, spending time in the minors before finishing the season strong. With Andy Pettitte gone, the Yankees are counting on Nova to finally find consistency over an entire year.
Tickets for individual Yankees home games will go on sale to MasterCard holders starting Wednesday at noon. Those using other forms of payment can start purchasing tickets on Feb. 24 at Yankees.com and at the Yankee Stadium ticket office on Feb. 25.