Across Florida and Arizona, Major League Baseball teams are preparing to open spring training. Free agent infielder Stephen Drew doesn’t have a destination yet, and the Mets and Red Sox don’t appear confident in an imminent resolution to that matter.
“Stephen did an excellent job for us last year. He was a really solid player. He was a big part of our team. And so out of respect to him, we’ve kept a dialogue going,” Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio on Sunday. “But at this point, we’re really focused on the guys we have on the roster. … I wouldn’t expect anything major to happen between now and when we report, at this point.”
Red Sox pitchers and catchers must report to camp by Saturday, and the same goes for the Mets. The 1986 World Series foes remain the most obvious suitors for Drew, as the Yankees — despite their huge questions at second base, shortstop and third base and Drew’s willingness to play all three of those positions — don’t appear inclined to stretch their payroll dramatically beyond its current estimate of $208 million.
A Mets official said Sunday there was “nothing” indicating progress on the Drew front. Just like the Red Sox, the Mets are amenable to signing Drew for a short-term deal. Drew’s agent, Scott Boras, who possesses a rich history of extending his clients’ employment searches into spring training, naturally wants more years guaranteed.
Drew, who turns 31 next month, put up a .253/.333/.443 line in 124 games for the Red Sox last year while playing strong defense and making a positive impression in Boston’s clubhouse. While the Red Sox enjoyed having Drew, they also see the benefit of giving a legitimate opportunity to young shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who impressed team officials last year. Furthermore, Boston officials like the idea of receiving a compensation draft pick if another club signs Drew, thanks to Drew turning down a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox last November.
The Mets would have to give up only their third-round pick for signing Drew, since their first-round selection is protected and they already sacrificed their second-round pick in order to sign former Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson. They have publicly talked up young shortstop Ruben Tejada (after publicly dissing him last season) yet still see the value of adding a veteran such as Drew. It’s not clear how much more 2014 payroll they’d be willing to add, as they currently project to be in the neighborhood of last year’s $85 million.
The Red Sox hold their first full-squad workout on Feb. 20, and the Mets on Feb. 21. Position players need less time than pitchers to get ready for the regular season, so Drew could comfortably stretch his free agency into March, if he so desired.