Drew v. 2.0

[Cumberland Blues]

Should Drew have known to take the qualifying offer? One would think he'd have the championship glow about him, but apparently not.

 
I've been thinking on this and wonder if the time period should be extended on the qualifying offers.  At this point - players only get a very preliminary sense of the market by the time they have to decide - but if the QO were good for 5 weeks instead of 5 days, then they could really shop around before deciding. 

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Its nice to hear FG has the Red Sox 6 games better than the rest of the AL East, but I'm not buying it.

The Royals would become very formidable with Drew at SS and Infante at 2B replacing the dreck they almost made it with last season, and as the article notes, Toronto's 2B is a wasteland that Drew would immediately improve unless he became wife-beater Cordero bad at 2B.

Hey if Cordero treated the ball like he did his wife they would have put him in the HOF. That being said Drew is a different player than Cordero was. I just want this thread to die so I don't care where he signs. Just make it fast

 

[OCD SS]

 
I've been thinking on this and wonder if the time period should be extended on the qualifying offers.  At this point - players only get a very preliminary sense of the market by the time they have to decide - but if the QO were good for 5 weeks instead of 5 days, then they could really shop around before deciding.

 
I think the current time frame is fine since teams can't start signing each others free agents until after QOs are decided on; it is not feasible for a team that has made a QO to have to wait a month or more before they figure out who accepted the offer and must be rostered.
 
The point of QOs isn't to provide the player with a safety net, and since most FA's reject them out of hand as their prospects look better than just another single year contract (remember all the interest Boras reported around Drew prior to the QO deadline?) and most agents have a good idea of what their market is likely to be, there's no reason to extend the waiting period to starting FA.

 

[koufax37]

I am still shocked that Drew hasn't signed a Mets/Royals/Athletics contract for two years.  His lack of a market is understandable at some levels but confusing in its totality.
 
I remain in the camp that I want Xander at SS to maximize our total value, with WMB or a powerful substitute down the road at 3B.  I think the total calculus of moving A-Rod/Hanley/Machado to 3B is flawed and an inefficiency in the market right now.
 
The information I am missing is enough of a picture of whether Xander could really be an average or better shortstop for years to come (Machado/A-Rod) or a dynamic enough bat to happily settle for a little bit below average (Hanley), or if we should be happy with him pursuing the Miguel Cabrera track (with a better glove).  I have seen nothing in my limited exposure to indicate that X can't play passable shortstop for years to come.  Those are scouting/projection discussions, and if anybody feels he can't be passible over the next 5-7 years, I would be interested in hearing more about that assessment.
 
With Drew I just don't see how the calculus of improving SS defense a little and potentially improving left side offense (if Drew > WMB at the plate) outweighs contract plus pick plus signing pool plus giving up on your young star's ability to play the most crucial position too soon plus giving up on a plus power corner infielder too soon.
 
As a result, I think there is another February contract Drew can back into more easily than as our starting shortstop.  To sign him at this point I would have to be convinced that Xander doesn't project at SS or WMB is not redeemable at the plate.

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

To me this signing is about deep depth and the commitment to repeat as champions.
The Yankees are reloading.
The Rays are always in the conversation.
The Papi window is closing.
What if Xander and WMB don't work out or either gets hurt. 
What's the plan then?
 
Also, if strength through the middle of the lineup is important as some say... we have lost our starting catcher, starting shortstop and starting centerfielder.
These will not be easy transitions especially if the plan is to use two rookies (albeit good ones) to replace last years starters.
 
If the money is there I say use it for deep depth at an important position...
unless management feels we really need the monetary flexibility for extensions or deadline deals.

 

[The Boomer]

At some point, Sox mana
 

To me this signing is about deep depth and the commitment to repeat as champions.
The Yankees are reloading.
The Rays are always in the conversation.
The Papi window is closing.
What if Xander and WMB don't work out or either gets hurt. 
What's the plan then?
 
Also, if strength through the middle of the lineup is important as some say... we have lost our starting catcher, starting shortstop and starting centerfielder.
These will not be easy transitions especially if the plan is to use two rookies (albeit good ones) to replace last years starters.
 
If the money is there I say use it for deep depth at an important position...
unless management feels we really need the monetary flexibility for extensions or deadline deals.

 
At some point Sox management must take some chances on younger players.  It surprised me that the Red Sox not the Yankees had the oldest average age of any team in MLB:
 
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/rosters/_/sort/average_age/order/true
 
The monetary flexibility is needed more because age and injury are no less probable than the failure of prospects and young players.  Drew only last year got his health back.  He is unlikely to be cost effective going forward.  At least when young players disappoint, you aren't wasting a lot of money to see what they can do.
 
Only Pedroia, signed to his reasonable extension, can be said to be a foundational franchise player at this point.  It would be hard to repeat even if all their free agents had come back and they outbid the Yankees for everyone they acquired.  Last year was supposed to be a competitive transition year while the Sox organization prospects developed.  They far exceeded expectations while not deviating from their plan to rebuild from within while staying competitive.
 
Even with the oldest team in the majors, the Sox are not overextended with many if any long term albatross contracts.  Maybe 2014 will be a repeat of 2009 for the free spending Yankees.  I wouldn't bet on it.  The Sox were poised to regress somewhat because they lost so many free agents.  However, in the long run, they are hoping for another sustained run of years in contention because they are replenishing their aging players as they go along.  I will be happier if they continue to give some of their kids a chance than I will be if they waste more money in the flawed belief that they are destined to fail if they don't appease their fans who don't agree that ownership should have reasonable spending limits.

 

[JimBoSox9]

And if Brian Butterfield's opinion is right, X is a shortstop all the way.
 
http://nesn.com/2013/12/brian-butterfield-xander-bogaerts-will-be-a-shortstop-until-the-day-he-retires/ 

 
The more I see and hear about Bogaerts, the more I wonder how much of the "he'll outgrow shortstop" narrative he got saddled with early on was based on empirical evidence and how much was based on "tall SS grows bulkier" conventional wisdom shortcut thinking.  The things Butterfield calls out - athleticism, compactness, body control - are accurate, are relevant, and aren't the kinds of thing that tend to emerge in Portland.  I've lost sight of any compelling case arguing why I shouldn't be totally comfortable projecting X to SS.  All he's done the last two years is do the job and look good doing it.

 

[Drek717]

At some point Sox management must take some chances on younger players.  

The beauty of the current situation with Drew though is that they can take chances on younger players while hedging their bets if Drew will take a one or two year deal.
 
I've said it before, a Drew/X/Middlebrooks trio would cover all the SS/3B needs that may arise and give ample coverage for Pedroia at 2B as well.  We'd remove the need for the annual replacement level utility MI by effectively replacing their 400-500 ABs over the course of a season with Drew.  Middlebrooks would still get regular playing time.  Bogaerts would too.  But they'd do it in a lower stress environment with the team protected against injury/failure.
 
But then that requires Drew to be receptive to a 1 or 2 year deal and only a 1 or 2 year deal.  I'd bet the Yankees are about to drop a 3-4 year contract on his doorstep rather soon now that they're definitely going to be over the luxury tax.

 

[The Boomer]

The beauty of the current situation with Drew though is that they can take chances on younger players while hedging their bets if Drew will take a one or two year deal.
 
I've said it before, a Drew/X/Middlebrooks trio would cover all the SS/3B needs that may arise and give ample coverage for Pedroia at 2B as well.  We'd remove the need for the annual replacement level utility MI by effectively replacing their 400-500 ABs over the course of a season with Drew.  Middlebrooks would still get regular playing time.  Bogaerts would too.  But they'd do it in a lower stress environment with the team protected against injury/failure.
 
But then that requires Drew to be receptive to a 1 or 2 year deal and only a 1 or 2 year deal.  I'd bet the Yankees are about to drop a 3-4 year contract on his doorstep rather soon now that they're definitely going to be over the luxury tax.

 
I agree with this even to the point that Drew will go to the Yankees in the same role.  The long term deal makes sense for them as a hedge against Jeter's geriatric decline and the general risky business of their infield.  Otherwise, I am not opposed to a 1-2 year deal with Drew provided that he won't be an impediment to the development of Bogaerts, Middlebrooks, Cecchini and Marrero.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

The beauty of the current situation with Drew though is that they can take chances on younger players while hedging their bets if Drew will take a one or two year deal.
 
I've said it before, a Drew/X/Middlebrooks trio would cover all the SS/3B needs that may arise and give ample coverage for Pedroia at 2B as well.  We'd remove the need for the annual replacement level utility MI by effectively replacing their 400-500 ABs over the course of a season with Drew.  Middlebrooks would still get regular playing time.  Bogaerts would too.  But they'd do it in a lower stress environment with the team protected against injury/failure.
 
But then that requires Drew to be receptive to a 1 or 2 year deal and only a 1 or 2 year deal.  I'd bet the Yankees are about to drop a 3-4 year contract on his doorstep rather soon now that they're definitely going to be over the luxury tax.

 
What are they going to do with Herrera in that scenario?  They just gave him 900k and traded two pitching assets for him -- the only way it all works is if Middlebrooks or X bounces up and down to the minors all year.  
 
Before the Herrerra trade, it really seemed like any interest in Drew had to be coupled with a scenario to either give up on Middlebrooks or to send him down for considerable time.  After the Herrera trade, it seems like that's even more the case.

 

[seantoo]

You know if Derek Jeter were anything close to the mythical "winner at all costs" he wishes he was, he'd have already told the Yankees that he'd move to 3B if they signed a top flight shortstop like Drew

Clearly he is not. Arod was a much better SS but the Captain didn't care. I hate the love of Jeter, not Jeter, the love of Jeter which is riden by media driven drivel and the sheeple lap it up like a man in the desert.

 

[Drek717]

 
What are they going to do with Herrera in that scenario?  They just gave him 900k and traded two pitching assets for him -- the only way it all works is if Middlebrooks or X bounces up and down to the minors all year.  
 
Before the Herrerra trade, it really seemed like any interest in Drew had to be coupled with a scenario to either give up on Middlebrooks or to send him down for considerable time.  After the Herrera trade, it seems like that's even more the case.

Herrera has options, no one is playing SS at AAA right now.
 
The pitchers they traded for him was their 4th best LOOGY (optimistically) who hasn't been able to stay healthy and an older AAA'er less likely to make the 40 man roster than Brayan Villarreal who they just waived.  Getting Herrera not only added a bit of MI depth they were lacking, it also cleared some bullpen congestion.  Adding Drew doesn't change the value gain there, it just removes a veteran AAA SS from their ST invites list.

 

[nattysez]

Does Jon Heyman actually follow baseball?  If this is some attempt by Boras to goad the Red Sox into action, it's a lame one.
 
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24418305/with-tax-no-longer-an-issue-yankeesare-now-looking-closely-at-drew
 

The Yankees are now considering free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew, which could potentially put another dent in the rival Red Sox's up-the-middle alignment only weeks after the Yankees signed Boston star center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.
 

The Yankees have spent $470 million already this winter, but there doesn't appear to be a precise limit now that the luxury tax threshhold has already been surpassed -- and that's very likely especially true when it comes to Red Sox players.
 

The Red Sox also have top shortstop prospects in Xander Bogaerts, who'll very likely be their shortstop if Drew signs elsewhere, and the slick-fielding youngster Deven Marrero.
 

 
 

 

[soxhop411]

 
Does Jon Heyman actually follow baseball?  If this is some attempt by Boras to goad the Red Sox into action, it's a lame one.
 
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24418305/with-tax-no-longer-an-issue-yankeesare-now-looking-closely-at-drew
 

 
 

 

This is the same Jon Heyman who wrote that the yankees are AL (NOT AL East, AL) favorites after the Tanaka signing…..

 

[Plympton91]

This is the same Jon Heyman who wrote that the yankees are AL (NOT AL East, AL) favorites after the Tanaka signing…..

 
Yeah, it is baffling to me how many people are all of a sudden picking the Yankees.  They have multiple key and expensive players on the edge of collapse (Sabathia, Kuroda, Jeter, Teixiera, Roberts), terrible infield defense unless they put a black hole in their lineup, and very limited bullpen depth, to go with Tanaka's transition from some hybrid of AA/AAA to the major leagues.  There is no way that team is a favorite for anything; they need a giant golden horseshoe up their ass all year to even compete with the Sox and Rays, and perhaps even Toronto who have basically the same question marks as the Yankees.

 

[reggiecleveland]

Sabathia posted some pictures where he lost a bunch of weight. I once emailed Heyman and suggested he was a Yankee fan and he said it was the worst thing anyone ever called him.

 

[Rough Carrigan]

Sabathia posted some pictures where he lost a bunch of weight. I once emailed Heyman and suggested he was a Yankee fan and he said it was the worst thing anyone ever called him.

I went to an event at the Baseball Tavern a couple years back and asked Ian Browne if Jon Heyman was still able to speak while Scott Boras was drinking a glass of water. 
 
Heyman's a Boras puppet and Boras loves big spending teams so Heyman does too.

 

[joe dokes]

I went to an event at the Baseball Tavern a couple years back and asked Ian Browne if Jon Heyman was still able to speak while Scott Boras was drinking a glass of water. 
 
Heyman's a Boras puppet and Boras loves big spending teams so Heyman does too.

 
 
It was a different context, but my email exchanges with Heyman showed a guy who is *really* bothered by the fact that regular people have access to much of the same information as he does -- not human access like via Boras's colon, but statistical and historical information -- so in a matter of seconds, his claim that "Player X (likely a Boras client) should do well playing leftfield in Arizona" can be questioned.
 
He hasn't quite evolved from the idea that his opinions are inviolate because they are opinions, even though the factual predicate for those opinions are undermined. He's like Cafardo, but with a temper. (on those rare occasions when Cafardo responds directly, he is never rude or snarky.)

 

[Average Reds]

 
 
It was a different context, but my email exchanges with Heyman showed a guy who is *really* bothered by the fact that regular people have access to much of the same information as he does -- not human access like via Boras's colon, but statistical and historical information -- so in a matter of seconds, his claim that "Player X (likely a Boras client) should do well playing leftfield in Arizona" can be questioned.
 
He hasn't quite evolved from the idea that his opinions are inviolate because they are opinions, even though the factual predicate for those opinions are undermined. He's like Cafardo, but with a temper. (on those rare occasions when Cafardo responds directly, he is never rude or snarky.)

 
 
Yeah, but this is pretty easy to understand.
 
When you spend a significant part of your career being treated with deference due to your presumed expertise, it's hard to adjust to a new reality where the truth about your expertise (or lack thereof) is available to anyone who looks hard enough.
 
The changes in the way we look at baseball have not been good to a lot of baseball writers.  Some have chosen to embrace the changes and become better writers/analysts/reporters.  Some have chosen to become bitter hacks pining for the good old days.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

It's getting surreal in Heyman-land....
 

 
Nevertheless, the Red Sox remain the favorites to land [Drew], as they prefer to play Xander Bogaerts at third and appear willing to give Drew multiple years. Boston could dangle an opt-out clause of some kind to sweeten things for Drew, Heyman adds.

 
WTF on the bolded....I can't imagine the Sox being willing to give Drew a long enough contract to make an opt-out clause relevant. Even if we accept the premise that they would prefer to shift Xander and re-sign Drew, I can't see them giving Drew even three years, with Cecchini and Marrero on the way and no serious market competition to worry about. This is just Boras wishcasting by proxy, right?

 

[Rough Carrigan]

Did Browne have an answer?

No.  He did the right thing.  He laughed but wouldn't say anything critical of a colleague.

 

[Minneapolis Millers]

The opt out is Boras via Heyman negotiating with NY by suggesting the Sox might give Drew exactly what NY will end up offering.  Genius, really.  Absent another team diving in with more than 10m for multiple years, the MFYs will sign Drew for 3/$33 or so with an opt out after year one.  He'll be the supersub and Jetes replacement-in-waiting.  Just like they did with Soriano.  If Jeter is resurrected, Drew moves on with no qualifying offer weighing him down.

 

[Cumberland Blues]

If Jeter is resurrected, Drew moves on with no qualifying offer weighing him down.

And if Jeter retires at the end of the year, Drew opts out and the mfy give him 4x17 because Hal has to outbid Hank.

 

[lambolt]

The opt out is Boras via Heyman negotiating with NY by suggesting the Sox might give Drew exactly what NY will end up offering.  Genius, really.  Absent another team diving in with more than 10m for multiple years, the MFYs will sign Drew for 3/$33 or so with an opt out after year one.  He'll be the supersub and Jetes replacement-in-waiting.  Just like they did with Soriano.  If Jeter is resurrected, Drew moves on with no qualifying offer weighing him down.

 
I see this kind of thing written every year, but is it really true. Are teams really so stupid as to not see through this kind of thing after the first hundred times it happens. Someone at the MFY does not realize that this is probably bullshit and just Boras trying to drum up something. Or do you mean negotiating as in everyone knows its really Boras putting a ballpark figure out there, but in which case, cant he just ring someone at NY and throw something out there. Its the same with all these mystery teams and unnamed interest in players. How many times can agents and media guys cry wolf before at least one person in every organization is like, oh, hang on a minute, not this again. I just don't buy that the Yankees don't know exactly what the Sox interest in Drew is, and what kind of deal they will offer. I don't buy that they will offer something based on them thinking that this report by Heymann is some kind of insider info that they're getting a sneak peek on. right?

 

[Sprowl]

It's getting surreal in Heyman-land....
 
 
WTF on the bolded....I can't imagine the Sox being willing to give Drew a long enough contract to make an opt-out clause relevant. Even if we accept the premise that they would prefer to shift Xander and re-sign Drew, I can't see them giving Drew even three years, with Cecchini and Marrero on the way and no serious market competition to worry about. This is just Boras wishcasting by proxy, right?

 
Heyman is just putting a label on Boras' Other Team. Having gawked over Tanaka's opt-out clause, Boras is hoping that the Yankees will bid against themselves again.
 
He might just be right.

 

[glennhoffmania]

 
Heyman is just putting a label on Boras' Other Team. Having gawked over Tanaka's opt-out clause, Boras is hoping that the Yankees will bid against themselves again.
 
He might just be right.

 
But wait, I keep hearing that NY isn't blowing everyone away other than LA anymore and the payroll gap is narrowing.  So why would they give a lucrative contract to a utility guy?

 

[Al Zarilla]

 
But wait, I keep hearing that NY isn't blowing everyone away other than LA anymore and the payroll gap is narrowing.  So why would they give a lucrative contract to a utility guy?

Stephen Drew is going to hunt you down and stare you to death.

 

[Hoplite]

It still sounds like Drew is going to return to the Sox. Heyman is basically a Boras mouthpiece, and even he is acknowledging that the Red Sox are the favorites. Alderson is saying that Drew is unlikely for the Mets, which leaves the Red Sox as the only obvious fit where Drew would be able to remain at shortstop. I'm not buying that he'll play 2B, that seems like it's coming from Boras.
 
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/nym/general-manager-sandy-alderson-mets-unlikely-to-sign-stephen-drew?ymd=20140128&content_id=67221294&vkey=news_nym

 

[Hoplite]

 
Yeah, it is baffling to me how many people are all of a sudden picking the Yankees.  They have multiple key and expensive players on the edge of collapse (Sabathia, Kuroda, Jeter, Teixiera, Roberts), terrible infield defense unless they put a black hole in their lineup, and very limited bullpen depth, to go with Tanaka's transition from some hybrid of AA/AAA to the major leagues.  There is no way that team is a favorite for anything; they need a giant golden horseshoe up their ass all year to even compete with the Sox and Rays, and perhaps even Toronto who have basically the same question marks as the Yankees.

 
Davenport's early projections suggest they'll finish third in the AL East behind the Red Sox and Rays.
 
http://claydavenport.com/archives/207

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

It still sounds like Drew is going to return to the Sox. Heyman is basically a Boras mouthpiece, and even he is acknowledging that the Red Sox are the favorites

 
Yeah, but that's not the only question. Is Drew the favorite?
 
Heyman may be a Boras mouthpiece, but I don't think he's a Cherington mouthpiece. He is writing as if it's a given that the Sox would re-up Drew and move Bogaerts to third if they could, but do we have any reason to think this is an inside scoop and not Boras spin?

 

[Hoplite]

Yeah, but that's not the only question. Is Drew the favorite?
 
Heyman may be a Boras mouthpiece, but I don't think he's a Cherington mouthpiece. He is writing as if it's a given that the Sox would re-up Drew and move Bogaerts to third if they could, but do we have any reason to think this is an inside scoop and not Boras spin?

 
I don't think it's an "inside scoop" as much as it's conventional wisdom. The Red Sox appear to be the only major suitors who have not said publicly that they're either flat out not going to sign Drew, or that they're unlikely to do so. And it seems unlikely that the Red Sox would sign a player with no experience outside of shortstop as a bench option.

 

[PrometheusWakefield]

It still sounds like Drew is going to return to the Sox. Heyman is basically a Boras mouthpiece, and even he is acknowledging that the Red Sox are the favorites. Alderson is saying that Drew is unlikely for the Mets, which leaves the Red Sox as the only obvious fit where Drew would be able to remain at shortstop. I'm not buying that he'll play 2B, that seems like it's coming from Boras.
 
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/nym/general-manager-sandy-alderson-mets-unlikely-to-sign-stephen-drew?ymd=20140128&content_id=67221294&vkey=news_nym

I don't think that's so obvious.  Wil Middlebrooks deserves a chance to play every day.  The Red Sox really don't have a position open for Drew any more than any of the other teams do.  The Yankees make more sense to me than anyone else, if for no other reason then because they've already burned through enough of their comp picks that why not take another at this point.

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

It still sounds like Drew is going to return to the Sox. Heyman is basically a Boras mouthpiece, and even he is acknowledging that the Red Sox are the favorites. 

 
Generally in contract negotiations, you try not to tell the frontrunner that they're the frontrunner. That combined with the opt-out clause reference means this is clearly a Yankees-targeted message.

 

[glennhoffmania]

I don't think that's so obvious.  Wil Middlebrooks deserves a chance to play every day.  The Red Sox really don't have a position open for Drew any more than any of the other teams do.  The Yankees make more sense to me than anyone else, if for no other reason then because they've already burned through enough of their comp picks that why not take another at this point.

 
I don't know if it's that Middlebrooks deserves a chance to play every day.  I think it's that they should see what X can do with a full year as the starting SS before moving him to 3b if necessary.  I think Drew is a very good player but I don't think he's good enough to force X to move at this point.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

 
I don't think it's an "inside scoop" as much as it's conventional wisdom. The Red Sox appear to be the only major suitors who have not said publicly that they're either flat out not going to sign Drew, or that they're unlikely to do so.

 
This assumes that anybody is going to sign Drew. And while obviously that's true on some level--at some point or other, Stephen Drew will almost certainly be playing major league baseball in 2014--I think it's a fallacy to say that the Red Sox are more likely to sign him just because it appears for the moment that nobody else will. That would be an odd way to do business.
 
 

The Red Sox really don't have a position open for Drew any more than any of the other teams do. 

 
Exactly.

 

[TheoShmeo]

 
I don't know if it's that Middlebrooks deserves a chance to play every day.  I think it's that they should see what X can do with a full year as the starting SS before moving him to 3b if necessary.  I think Drew is a very good player but I don't think he's good enough to force X to move at this point.

But that's not really the question in my view.
 
It's are they better with (a) Drew at SS and Xander at 3rd or (b)  Xander at SS and WMB at 3rd.  If they're even entertaining the question as of now, they must think the answer is (a) and the question then becomes is what Drew is requiring from them financially and in years worth upgrade from (b) to (a).
 
Said differently, I think this is more of an "all-in" analysis than it is about moving Xander off his original position. 

 

[Hoplite]

Generally in contract negotiations, you try not to tell the frontrunner that they're the frontrunner. That combined with the opt-out clause reference means this is clearly a Yankees-targeted message.

 
I wasn't suggesting that Boras was telling Heyman to say that the Red Sox are the front runner. I was more suggesting that despite the fact that Heyman is often a mouthpiece for Boras, even he is admitting that the Red Sox are the favorites.

 

[SaveBooFerriss]

But that's not really the question in my view.
 
It's are they better with (a) Drew at SS and Xander at 3rd or (b)  Xander at SS and WMB at 3rd.  If they're even entertaining the question as of now, they must think the answer is (a) and the question then becomes is what Drew is requiring from them financially and in years worth upgrade from (b) to (a).
 
Said differently, I think this is more of an "all-in" analysis than it is about moving Xander off his original position. 

 
It may be correct that the Sox would be better in 2014 with Drew at SS and Xander at 3b (although that is far from certain), I think it would be a big detriment in 2015-2018.  The Sox need to have Xander establish himself as a SS or show he can't.  Likewise, the Sox need to see if Middlebrooks is a legit 3b (I think he is).  If he isn't, you move onto Cecchini.  Having Drew the primary SS in 2014 (while may be good for that year) retards the development of the 2015-2018 teams.  I do not think Cherington is that shortsighted.  

 

[Hoplite]

The Red Sox don't strike me as a team that worries they'll have too much depth at any particular position. Farrell has gone on record as saying that he likes competition, and we currently have 6+ projected starters with major league experience. I think the Red Sox would be happy splitting time between Drew/Bogaerts and Middlebrooks. It wouldn't necessarily be a longterm solution. If Bogaerts is playing well, the Red Sox could easily trade one of Drew or Middlebrooks at the trade deadline like they did with Iglesias last year. It would alleviate their concerns over relying on three relative unkowns (Bogaerts, Bradley, Middlebrooks) to be everyday players.
 
For the Yankees to make more sense than the Red Sox, you'd have to believe that Derek Jeter is willing to move off shortstop. That would be a major development considering what he's said so far:
 
"And my job is to play short. It's been my job since I've come up, and it will continue to be my job."
 
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/derek-jeter-fully-expects-to-be-yankees-shortstop-next-season-1.6440212
 
The Mets might make sense, but it's not as if they have a lot of money to throw around. They already have a young shortstop, and they've said multiple times that they're unlikely suitors (grain of salt, I know).

 

[benhogan]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2014/01/bostonians_honored_at_new_york_bbwaa_dinner.html
 
Drew willing to play 3rd base and 2nd base according to Abraham article. That's the first time I've heard that. 
 
This is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. Sign him for 1 or 2 years. Drew platoons with WMB at 3rd. He backs up DP at 2nd and X at SS.
 
Deal Ryan Dempster, use his $$$ for Drew. Workman becomes our #6 and starts the season off at Pawtucket in case of injury to a starter.

 

[Sampo Gida]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2014/01/bostonians_honored_at_new_york_bbwaa_dinner.html
 
Drew willing to play 3rd base and 2nd base according to Abraham article. That's the first time I've heard that. 
 
This is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. Sign him for 1 or 2 years. Drew platoons with WMB at 3rd. He backs up DP at 2nd and X at SS.
 
Deal Ryan Dempster, use his $$$ for Drew. Workman becomes our #6 and starts the season off at Pawtucket in case of injury to a starter.

 
Pretty sure that while Drew would be willing to change positions on a 3-4 yr deal he would not consider it on a 1-2 yr deal since it would kill his market value when he re-entered free agency.  I also doubt he would accept a deal with a team as a platoon player.  He could wait until June 15th when draft pick compensation is off the table and the rosy spectacles come off and reveal the warts on teams in-house choices at SS (or injuries that open up a hole or two there).  The guy was the 8th best SS in baseball last year, they don't grow on trees.  But if they did, sooner or later someone is going to get hungry enough to pluck him from the tree.  Patience may be Boras middle name .

 

[Sampo Gida]

For the Yankees to make more sense than the Red Sox, you'd have to believe that Derek Jeter is willing to move off shortstop. That would be a major development considering what he's said so far:
 
"And my job is to play short. It's been my job since I've come up, and it will continue to be my job."
 
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/derek-jeter-fully-expects-to-be-yankees-shortstop-next-season-1.6440212
 
The Mets might make sense, but it's not as if they have a lot of money to throw around. They already have a young shortstop, and they've said multiple times that they're unlikely suitors (grain of salt, I know).

 
Thats a good point. However, on a 3 yr deal Drew could play 3B waiting for Jeter to show he can not handle the job at SS anymore (which could be this year, ST even). So he would be great insurance at SS, and allow Johnson to move to 2B where he is better suited (I mean, what are the odds Roberts works out and stays on the field) while Drew plays an adequate 3B and spells Jeter at short when he needs a rest.  Drews bat plays well at 3B against RHP'ers, especially in that park. 
 
I think if the courts dismiss Arods case soon the Yankees may move on Drew.  While the odds are pretty low, right now there is still a chance Arod is on the opening day roster.

 

[geoduck no quahog]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2014/01/bostonians_honored_at_new_york_bbwaa_dinner.html
 
Drew willing to play 3rd base and 2nd base according to Abraham article. That's the first time I've heard that. 
 
This is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned. Sign him for 1 or 2 years. Drew platoons with WMB at 3rd. He backs up DP at 2nd and X at SS.
 
Deal Ryan Dempster, use his $$$ for Drew. Workman becomes our #6 and starts the season off at Pawtucket in case of injury to a starter.

 
In what universe do you see Drew being a utility infielder for the Red Sox? Absolutely absurd.
 
For crying out loud, he's a better shortstop than Bogaerts, and Bogaerts is a better 3rd baseman than Middlebrooks.
 
It's math.

 

[Mike F]

In about 20 days when Jeter trips over 2nd and breaks his ankle, Drew signs in NY

 

[Rasputin]

 
I wasn't suggesting that Boras was telling Heyman to say that the Red Sox are the front runner. I was more suggesting that despite the fact that Heyman is often a mouthpiece for Boras, even he is admitting that the Red Sox are the favorites.

 
He's not admitting the Red Sox are the favorites, he's begging people to believe the Red Sox are about to sign someone they don't really have a use for. Finding a use for him would involve rearranging a lot of pieces and as good as Drew is, he's not worth rearranging the team for.
 
And I'm still surprised the Cards chose Peralta.

 

[Hoplite]

He's not admitting the Red Sox are the favorites, he's begging people to believe the Red Sox are about to sign someone they don't really have a use for. Finding a use for him would involve rearranging a lot of pieces and as good as Drew is, he's not worth rearranging the team for.
 
And I'm still surprised the Cards chose Peralta.

 
I've already given an explanation for why the Red Sox could use Drew. Heyman's hardly the only one saying that the Red Sox make the most sense and I find it hard to believe that every media source reporting on this is a Boras mouth piece.

 

[benhogan]

 
In what universe do you see Drew being a utility infielder for the Red Sox? Absolutely absurd.
 
For crying out loud, he's a better shortstop than Bogaerts, and Bogaerts is a better 3rd baseman than Middlebrooks.
 
It's math.

Even better. Drew at SS. Xander at 3rd.  WMB backs up 3rd/Xander backs up SS.
 
Funny how their are so many good ways the Sox could use Stephen Drew.
 
I think they called that 'deep depth' last year.

 

[Rasputin]

 
I've already given an explanation for why the Red Sox could use Drew. Heyman's hardly the only one saying that the Red Sox make the most sense and I find it hard to believe that every media source reporting on this is a Boras mouth piece.

 
The issue isn't whether the Sox could use Drew. Of course they could. The issue is whether they have a role for him that he is remotely likely to want. They don't. Those folks who are looking at the Sox and saying they make the most sense as a landing spot for Drew are wrong. It doesn't mean they're a mouth piece for Boras, it just means they're wrong. The every day lineup for this team is set and it has Middlebrooks at third and Bogaerts at short.
 
You can certainly make a case that Drew is the better defensive SS over the long term, and it may be possible to make the case that he is the better overall option in the short term, but that is by no means clear, and it is clear that Bogaerts is the better overall option long term.
 
It's also clear that the Sox don't think 2013 was representative of Middlebrooks' abilities. If they did, they'd have done something by now.
 
It's clear that in the long term, the Sox view Drew as the least capable bat and it's not clear to me that this isn't also true in the short term.
 
So, the only roles the Sox have for Drew are utility guy and insurance in case the second best prospect in the game that performed brilliantly on the post season stage is not ready.
 
So, yeah, the Sox don't need Drew. What's available is a utility role and since Drew has played no games at third and no games at second in his major league career, it's not remotely clear that he's going to be a good option to be switching positions all the time. There's no doubt in my mind that he could make the adjustments to play either third or short, but making both sets of adjustments at the same time while bouncing from position to position and sitting most games, well, the situation would hardly be ideal.
 
The Yankees have a role for him. Starting shortstop. The Mets have a role for him. The Pirates and the Reds would both be better off if they had him. The fact that the Yankees are hamstrung by The Jeter Myth, and that the Mets, Pirates, and Red are all stupid doesn't mean the Sox have an obligation to sign Drew.
 
Frankly, the Mets should sign him with the intent to trade him at the deadline unless they get very very lucky and manage to compete this year.

 

[Hoplite]

 
The issue isn't whether the Sox could use Drew. Of course they could. The issue is whether they have a role for him that he is remotely likely to want. They don't. Those folks who are looking at the Sox and saying they make the most sense as a landing spot for Drew are wrong. It doesn't mean they're a mouth piece for Boras, it just means they're wrong. The every day lineup for this team is set and it has Middlebrooks at third and Bogaerts at short.
 
You can certainly make a case that Drew is the better defensive SS over the long term, and it may be possible to make the case that he is the better overall option in the short term, but that is by no means clear, and it is clear that Bogaerts is the better overall option long term.
 
It's also clear that the Sox don't think 2013 was representative of Middlebrooks' abilities. If they did, they'd have done something by now.
 
It's clear that in the long term, the Sox view Drew as the least capable bat and it's not clear to me that this isn't also true in the short term.
 
So, the only roles the Sox have for Drew are utility guy and insurance in case the second best prospect in the game that performed brilliantly on the post season stage is not ready.
 
So, yeah, the Sox don't need Drew. What's available is a utility role and since Drew has played no games at third and no games at second in his major league career, it's not remotely clear that he's going to be a good option to be switching positions all the time. There's no doubt in my mind that he could make the adjustments to play either third or short, but making both sets of adjustments at the same time while bouncing from position to position and sitting most games, well, the situation would hardly be ideal.
 
The Yankees have a role for him. Starting shortstop. The Mets have a role for him. The Pirates and the Reds would both be better off if they had him. The fact that the Yankees are hamstrung by The Jeter Myth, and that the Mets, Pirates, and Red are all stupid doesn't mean the Sox have an obligation to sign Drew.
 
Frankly, the Mets should sign him with the intent to trade him at the deadline unless they get very very lucky and manage to compete this year.

 
Sounds like a lot of personal opinion that you're treating as fact. If the lineup was already set in stone, I don't think Cherington would be talking about keeping an open dialogue with Drew. The team has publicly expressed concern about going in to next year with Bogaerts, Bradley and Middlebrooks in the lineup. And if they're looking longterm, they might not be thrilled with how the defense would look if Cecchini and Bogaerts were both on the left side of the infield.

 

[FanSinceBoggs]

 
It's also clear that the Sox don't think 2013 was representative of Middlebrooks' abilities. If they did, they'd have done something by now.

 
Or maybe they have their doubts about Middlebrooks but see Cecchini as their fallback option later in the 2014 season.  If they like Cecchini at 3b, they don't need to go out of their way for a third baseman even if they don't believe in Middlebrooks.