MLB

Yankees target Cuban SS as Jeter’s heir

Do the Yankees have their sights on Derek Jeter’s eventual replacement, who also could be a future center fielder who nudges Curtis Granderson to left?

According to the multiple members of the international scouting community, the world champions will be serious bidders on Cuban defector Adeinis Hechavarria when the Office of Foreign Assets Committee (OFAC) allows him to sign with MLB clubs.

MLB sent a letter to teams on Jan. 22 telling them Hechavarria and other Cuban defectors have not been “unblocked” by OFAC. OFAC has to verify his age, identity and residency — in this case, Mexico. It is believed OFAC might have everything done next week.

GARDNER OK ANYWHERE

“The Yankees have been on him for a while,” said a scout who saw the 21-year-old shortstop work out recently in the Dominican Republic. “Two weeks ago, about 50 scouts watched him work out and the Yankees were there. They also have seen him in smaller workouts.”

Because the Red Sox gave 19-year old shortstop Jose Iglesias $8 million, industry sources expect the right-handed-hitting Hechavarria to command a $7 to $8 million signing bonus.

“Maybe more because his bat is better than Iglesias’,” a scout said.

Hechavarria, who defected in Mexico last year, played short for the Cuban Junior National team two years ago.

“There has been a lot of interest,” said agent, Bart Hernandez, without mentioning teams. “He is a legitimate player with a chance to be a real good one.”

Though the Yankees view the 6-foot, 170-pounder strictly as a shortstop, others believe he could travel the same path the Rays’ B.J. Upton took: shortstop to impact center fielder.

“He is a very good athlete and runs real well,” the scout said. “I don’t see him as a shortstop, I think he has a chance to be a center fielder in the mold of B.J. Upton. His throwing actions at short are kind of long.”

The Yankees aren’t strangers to the Cuban player pool. They struck gold with Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, bombed on Adrian Hernandez and Andy Morales, were disappointed in Jose Contreras — who was traded 1½ years into a four-year $32 million deal — and the jury remains out on Juan Miranda.

They were interested in hard-throwing lefty Aroldis Chapman last year, but he signed with the Reds.

According to a scout, Hechavarria would be a first-round pick in MLB’s amateur draft. But . . .

“Is he a can’t-miss major leaguer?” the scout asked. “I don’t know.”

The Yankees and Jeter are expected to agree on a contract following the season that will keep the captain in pinstripes for at least four years.

⇒ Brett Gardner joined the informal workouts at the minor league complex yesterday and told reporters he has been working on bunting the ball more in order to utilize his speed.

“I’ve just been hitting a lot, been bunting a lot,” Gardner said. “I’ve been working on that a lot more and trying to bring that back into my game.”

The speedy 26-year old, who will get first crack at left field and can play center, also plans to drill in right field.

“You never know what might happen,” Gardner said. “It’s never a bad thing being able to play some different positions well. I just need to continue to work on that and where they want to put me, I’ll be happy.”

george.king@nypost.com