Reacting to problematic issues on the left side of their infield, the Red Sox reached out to a piece of their championship core Tuesday by signing Stephen Drew.
Drew and Kendrys Morales had remained unemployed after both turning down the $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox and Mariners, respectively. Drew, though, now finds a home signing for $10 million — about how much he would be owed if he would have taken the $14.1 million at the outset.
Drew had received interest from teams in the offseason, including the Yankees (who it is believed offered him a two-year contract) and the Mets (who talked about one-year concepts). But Drew was looking for more.
However, for a variety of reasons — notably that any team other than Boston that signed him would forfeit either a first- or second-round draft pick — Drew could not find a suitor to meet his requests. Until now. Until a reunion that seems to work for both sides.
Yes, the Red Sox wanted the draft-pick compensation that would have come if Drew signed elsewhere — like they got when qualified free agents Jacoby Ellsbury (Yankees) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Marlins) agreed with other teams. However, it became obvious Drew would not sign before the June 5 draft, at which point the compensation would vanish.
Also, as they try to defend their title, the Red Sox (20-23) are struggling. They are an AL-worst 10-19 when opponents start a righty, so the lefty-swinging Drew should help there.
Plus, the left side of their infield has struggled. Xander Bogaerts (.748 OPS) has hit fine, but not as well as Boston imagined, and his defense has at times been rough at shortstop. Third baseman Will Middlebrooks struggled at the plate (.197 batting average just two homers) and is now on the disabled list with a fractured finger.
Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated to Boston reporters that Drew will play short and Bogaerts will play mainly third, which he did down the stretch last year — though he could still start at short against lefty pitching. Drew has an option left and with his permission (which he will give) he will be sent to the minors. Farrell believes he will need about 10-12 days in the minors and around 25 at-bats to be ready. Drew had been working out at the sports fitness facility of his agent, Scott Boras, and participating in simulated games, but even he does not think he is ready yet for full-speed major league action.
Over the past 24 months, Boston has stuck to a philosophy of trying to limit length of contracts and, thus, avoid the down side as players age. Signing Drew, 31, for just this season fits that theory. Plus, in shortstop Deven Marrero at Double-A and third baseman Garin Cecchini at Triple-A, the Red Sox believe they have high-end left-side infielders closing in on the majors.
For Drew, this gives him a chance to play in a place he is comfortable. And, more important, because he signed after the season began, he can no longer be made a qualifying offer. Thus, he will be a free agent without restrictions this coming offseason.