Drew is walking through that door
- Thread starter jsinger121
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Red(s)HawksFan said:
I assume because they were hoping he'd sign somewhere and they'd get a draft pick, and/or that Bogaerts/Middlebrooks would be a successful left side of the infield?
ETA: I think Part 1 of that was smart, and I still think the jury's out on Part 2, so I share your general WTF-itude, but this is better than signing him in the off-season.
foulkehampshire said:
Absolutely. No need for this move at all. And to pay the guy a prorated amount of the 14 million just is the icing on the cake. They should have told him he was getting half that at best.
foulkehampshire said:
What about it is a desperation move? They made the same move last year for almost the same reasons, albeit at the beginning of the season. Making a decision to be flexible doesn't mean that was the wrong decision when the insurance policy is cashed in.
Is it wrong to think this spells the end for WMB? Or at least signals that he's hurt more than we know?
Because third base is essentially Bogaerts vs. WMB now, and I think we all know who's winning that one.
Because third base is essentially Bogaerts vs. WMB now, and I think we all know who's winning that one.
Smiling Joe Hesketh said:
I read this as they're giving up on 3B inconsistency. I think we'll likely see X at 3B and Drew at SS.
I see some negative comments, but how long is Middlebrooks going to be out? If it's say 2 months, then I wouldn't call this desperation. And a 2 month injury isn't something you could have predicted back in March/April (though having depth is always good).
Word is it's a 1 year deal for ~10M. Why not?
Word is it's a 1 year deal for ~10M. Why not?
Eh, not sure why people are so upset. They are playing like crap but have a realistic shot of winning a lousy division. This upgrades SS and 3B in one fell swoop. It's only money.
Replacing Middlebrooks, it's fine. He hasn't been a major league-caliber hitter since breaking his wrist (and is injured once again), which may be structural, or in likelihood his awful plate approach doesn't play so well in the league. Drew's a fine bridge to Betts/Cecchini.
They added a player who can help them and gave up no resources other than some money. They wanted a pick but since that is not coming, why not? And it keeps him away from the Yankees.
This is what I wanted, X at 3rd, Drew at SS. You can all blame me when it doesn't save the season. There is a bit of celebratory hootin' and hollerin' going on in the ITP household this afternoon.
Yeah, I have to assume news on WMB is not great.
For my part, I was willing to actually allow a "bridge year" or whatever, though I also think the talent is there for "bridge year" to be a 90+ win season. As for Drew's influence on that, well, let's hope his presence makes Buchholz, Peavy and Doubront to pitch better consistently. And what I mean is I don't actually see causation there, but those guys are going to be key to whether this team gets it together.
For my part, I was willing to actually allow a "bridge year" or whatever, though I also think the talent is there for "bridge year" to be a 90+ win season. As for Drew's influence on that, well, let's hope his presence makes Buchholz, Peavy and Doubront to pitch better consistently. And what I mean is I don't actually see causation there, but those guys are going to be key to whether this team gets it together.
MarcSullivaFan said:
You know what also upgrades SS? Letting Xander get a shot for a full season.
This seems like a 180 from what the FO has been preaching.
I buy that he's been working out and can probably play the infield pretty well still, but how long will it be until Drew is ready to hit MLB pitching? Is he going to need an extended rehab stint? Is he just going to stink for a couple months while he finds his rhythm? I would have preferred them to be decisive on this earlier.
They aren't giving up on Xander Bogaerts people. Jesus, really? Manny Machado is a SS playing 3B and they plan on moving him back to SS after they are done with JJ Hardy. If it makes the team better this year, fine. I want X at SS as much as the rest of you and I don't like the move because it's going to take away valuable game reps from him. But, it does make the team better in the short-term and you can't lose sight of that. Do you people want WMB/Holt/Herrera and Bogaerts or Drew and Bogaerts?
MarcSullivaFan said:
For one, I'm bothered by giving up on Bogaerts at SS so soon. For another, I'm bothered that this move just validates the bleating of morons like Nick Cafardo.
To be honest, I'm not sure which one bothers me more right now.
Yeah, looks like they've given up on X being the SS of the future, after less than 2 months. Crazy. How is he supposedto improve there if he's stuck at 3d?
They said they believed in the kid. Looks like they couldn't follow through on their words. Very disappointing.
They said they believed in the kid. Looks like they couldn't follow through on their words. Very disappointing.
foulkehampshire said:
Not necessarily likely or what I would do, but what if Drew is here to play 3rd?
They can use Holt in that role now. Xander backs up short, Holt backs up the other two spots, Herrera gets cut.Tyrone Biggums said:
People are getting really fired up about a guy who ranked top 10 in OPS at his position and has a pretty good glove. Are we going to get pissed if he makes good throws to first and we start winning games.
Maybe he's a good clubhouse guy.
Maybe he's a good clubhouse guy.
Corsi said:
Yup, and if he's struggling a bit defensively at the 40 game mark, they can trade for Stephen Drew from whereever he signs and rush him to the park in the back of a cruiser, Mirabelli style.
Smiling Joe Hesketh said:
Perhaps they are simply pushing his learning SS at the major league level to next season.
I just don't think they'd want a SS learning on the job and Drew playing a position he's never played at this level. The entire left side of the IF learning on the fly?
It only makes the most sense if they think the defense will be better that way than the other. 4 months at third will not permanently damage Bogaerts' ability to play short. Field the best team now, worry about next year next year.Seabass177 said:
Hambone said:People are getting really fired up about a guy who ranked top 10 in OPS at his position and has a pretty good glove. Are we going to get pissed if he makes good throws to first and we start winning games.
Maybe he's a good clubhouse guy.
This. I think many on this board forget just how smooth Drew is with the glove. This signing is going to make the team stronger both offensively and defensively.
Sweet rational thought! Yes!AlNipper49 said:
this is a referendum on WMB not Bogaerts. The defense will be better without downgrading the black hole of offensive suck to a Herrera. (yes I realize SFD isn't Honus)
It's $10 million JWH's money not ours.
We're in the minority, but YES!
How are they giving up on him for the future? You don't think Bogearts will be the starting shortstop in 2015? This is all about Middlebrooks and the rest of this season.
The Sox were willing to go Drew SS/Xander at 3B when they made the qualifying offer originally, so I don't think it means they are giving up on X at SS permanently.
I wonder if Boras only recently gave up on getting a multi-year deal after the draft comp was gone.
I wonder if Boras only recently gave up on getting a multi-year deal after the draft comp was gone.
I do wonder what this means for WMB. The emergance of Ceccinni/Betts as legitimate IF prospects has certainly made his future here a bit murky.
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