Stephen Drew has popped back up in free agent rumors this week and teams like the NY Mets, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers could be potential fits for the FA shortstop as spring training starts to open up around the MLB heading into March, as he is the top name left with Nelson Cruz and Ervin Santana.
The baseball season is just about to start and Drew still remains a free agent on the market and now teams that need his services could end up in a small bidding war to get him. Drew was looking for a more long-term deal earlier in the offseason and now he could take less to get in with a team, as he made $9.5 million last year and is 31 for this season. The Mets and Drew appeared to be a good match and reports came out earlier in the offseason that the two sides were close to a deal, but New York balked at the years on the deal and after spending on Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon, the team felt there wasn't room at the time for Drew as well.
Drew had a very solid season last year for the Boston Red Sox as they won the World Series and this came after he played in just 86 games three years ago and 79 in 2012. Drew played in 124 games last season and now he looks ready to play another season at that amount at least and while his offense was not off the charts, it was good for a shortstop of his caliber and he is also a solid defensive player.
SI.com reports that Drew is looking to have an opt out in any multiyear deal and that could be what is keeping him on the market and now his old team in the Red sox could come calling, as they may have some extra money after Ryan Dempster said he would not play in 2014. Drew has said that he wants more than a one year deal and the Red Sox want to only give him that and another reason he is stuck on the market is because the team gave him a qualifying offer of $14.1 million and that means a draft pick goes for whoever signs him.
Everyone thinks the Yankees are a good fit for Drew, but the team doesn't want to lock themselves in at Jeter's replacement now, as names like Hanley Ramirez and Troy Tulowitzki could be options heading down the line. The Mets have Rueben Tejada and they are not all that confident that he can handle things all season. The Mets have a good situation though, as SI.com reports that their top 10 pick is protected and they would have to give up a third round pick for him and not their first.
The Mets are believed to be the team Drew wants to sign with, but that might not work out and that leaves other options like the Baltimore Orioles, Dodgers as well as the Toronto Blue Jays. Drew is likely to sign, but how deep will it be into spring training? Only time will tell.
