Report: Yankees looking at Asdrubal Cabrera to play 2nd

The New York Yankees are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing veteran infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to play second base in the Bronx, sources tell Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.

The Yankees' level of interest in Cabrera remains unclear as the club continues to operate under a self-imposed budget this offseason. With over $183 million in pre-arbitration money already committed to the 2016 payroll, co-owner Hal Steinbrenner told reporters last month that the team is looking to curtail its spending and focus on developing youth.

"I shouldn't have to have a $200-million payroll to win a world championship," he said. "It's been proven over and over again. The last couple years, the money that has come off (the books), we've had to put it back in to fill voids because we haven't had the young players to do it with."

Though Cabrera's defensive range has declined from his Gold Glove days in Cleveland, the 30-year-old shortstop still offers good power up the middle. In 143 games for the Tampa Bay Rays last year, Cabrera hit 15 homers and posted a .744 OPS - his highest mark since his 2012 All-Star campaign.

Adding Cabrera to play second, despite having appeared almost exclusively at shortstop for the Rays, would help bolster a position that received the second-fewest wins above replacement in the majors last season.

If the Yankees choose not to address second base this winter, veteran utility man Dustin Ackley and rookie Rob Refsnyder are expected to compete for the starting job next spring.