Why is Stephen Drew still here?

[BosRedSox5]

I want to preface this by saying, I like Stephen Drew. I think that apart from some injury problems he had in 2011 and 2012, he's had a really nice MLB career. He's a strong defensive player and even with a league average bat he's still been worth about a 2-4 WAR through his career. 
 
But he's been absolutely awful in 2014. 

Maybe this is a cautionary tale about holding out because Kendrys Morales is struggling mightily as well. I don't blame Cherington for signing Drew, hindsight's 20/20, but at the time it was a really solid move. Get back a guy who was a huge part of your World Series winning team for 4.5 million less than you would have paid them last offseason? It made sense at the time, but has totally blown up in our faces.
 
Here's just how bad Drew has been. His OPS+ is 15. One-five. His defense is about as good as it's ever been, but offensively he's a total mess. Baseball-Reference calculates his WAR to be -0.4. 
 
I know he's only had 92 plate appearances, but he's not even showing signs of improvement. Sure, he had those two home runs recently, but they are his only two hits this month. His OBP looks to be improving slightly, but he was intentionally walked yesterday. He's been the very definition of dead weight and with our organizational infield depth he's taking at bats away from guys like Betts (either directly by playing Mookie in the IF or by keeping Holt in the outfield instead of at SS) and he's taking up a spot on the 40-man. 

For right now, Drew is making the team worse instead of better. I think he's a strong candidate to be DFA'd. Not only is there no benefit to keeping him, but there seems to be a distinct benefit to cutting him. 

If he's released, I'll wish him all the luck in the world. I hope he gets a change of scenery and re-builds his value but it's becoming more and more clear that's not going to happen here. 
 

 

[Byrdbrain]

At this point the best case scenario is he shows some signs of life at the plate and the sox are able to deal him for a B- prospect. For that to happen the sox need to play him 5 or so days a week and hope something clicks.
If nothing happens by the end of the month then you DFA him.

 

[DJnVa]

He's here because I assume management told him he'd be given a certain amount of time to get his swing back, whether 100 PAs or whatever.
 
Also, AJP was probably cut more for off the field stuff--they know how Drew fits in.

 

[joe dokes]

I think he's still here for a few related reasons; mostly related to his defense.  (That may not be how they thought it would play out, but BROCK HOLT!!!)
 
I think that the team is wary of having Holt -- at-best-average defensively no matter where he plays (remarkable considering he's playing places he never played before, but at-best-average nevertheless) -- and Betts (playing some tough OF positions with no experience) -- and Bogaerts (can we call his defense "inconsistent" so far?) all the time, when the team is so dependeant on winning close ones.* Holt has hit his way into the lineup; and in this lineup, defense be damned. 
 
But I think, much like with JBJ, given the team's general run-scoring environment (lots of close games), they might be thinking about the whole "defense up the middle" thing, or, just generally, they don't want to have too many average-or-below- defenders out there.
 
That said, if Betts starts hitting like Holt while not being a disaster in OF, and if Victorino can play regularly, I think Drew's days are numbered, and it won't mattter if they can find a trade partner. (I dont think his performance in the next 30 days will affect his trade value.  Teams know what he can do/who he is.)
 
*I understand the chicken and egg nature of the low-scoring / not hitting relationship.  But its not like Betts, or Victorino, or Middlebrooks are hitting their way into the lineup right now.
 

At this point the best case scenario is he shows some signs of life at the plate and the sox are able to deal him for a B- prospect. For that to happen the sox need to play him 5 or so days a week and hope something clicks
 

 
I think this has little to do with it. His glove at SS may not be among the league's best, but it is light years better than anything else the sox have at SS; and with no one other than Holt really hitting, its not like Drew is blocking anything right now. I get the negative WAR; but much like bloopers to CF, about which I no longer have any doubt that they will be caught, slow two-hoppers up the middle -- like the one late yesterday -- don't make me hold my breath with Drew at SS. Me holding my breath is irrelevant, but is there really any doubt about the superiority of his glove compared to anything else the Sox can run out there now? 
 
In the end, much like with JBJ, his glove is what's getting him the majority of the playing time. He certainly isn't GG caliber like JBJ, but its all relative, and SS is pretty critical.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

 
 
I know he's only had 92 plate appearances, but he's not even showing signs of improvement. Sure, he had those two home runs recently, but they are his only two hits this month. His OBP looks to be improving slightly, but he was intentionally walked yesterday. He's been the very definition of dead weight and with our organizational infield depth he's taking at bats away from guys like Betts (either directly by playing Mookie in the IF or by keeping Holt in the outfield instead of at SS) and he's taking up a spot on the 40-man. 
 

 
Good points, but this is pretty immaterial as there's no one the Sox need to add to the 40 man roster and there's already one vacancy as they did not replace AJP

 

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Because they don't want to admit a $10 million mistake less than 2 months after making it?
 
Seriously, has a baseball team ever released a player signed to a contract of that magnitude within two months of signing it?  Even AJP got more time and he's making significantly less.

 

[joe dokes]

Because they don't want to admit a $10 million mistake less than 2 months after making it?
 
Seriously, has a baseball team ever released a player signed to a contract of that magnitude within two months of signing it?  Even AJP got more time and he's making significantly less.

 
The bolded part may be a little tongue-in-cheek, but its close...they are unlikely to *think* it was a mistake 92PAs into it.

 

[MuzzyField]

The Drew deal didm't equate to $4.5-million in savings... he basically received the QO, prorated.  In the future, I'd prefer the team pay for full season of employment and have the player enjoy a full spring training to prepare for the season.  If the baseball camp to mid-season option is to be utilized again, I hope the lesson learned is that the player is 6-8 weeks from being of any use, particularly with the bat (again the actual real need of this team) and that this type of player should be paid accordingly, that would be less than $10-million, or they stay home and be another teams mid-season experiment.  Would the last six weeks of Jonathan Herrera's glove at SS been a significant downgrade to what Drew has delivered?  

 

[C4CRVT]

So far, 2014 has been the year of the "what ifs" that never materialized. However, a second half turn around is really not out of the question. Stranger things have happened.
 
Drew is a good baseball player who has proven over the course of an 8 year MLB career that when healthy, he's both a damned fine defensive shortstop and a pretty decent offensive player.
 
This season is not lost (not to me anyway). The moves so far this season don't negatively affect their chances going forward this year or beyond.
 
I understand wanting to ask the question but the answer is "because he's still the best bet to provide wins out of the SS position for the remainder of 2014"
 
Patience people, patience.

 

[LeoCarrillo]

I'd think these are all factors:
 
Major:
 
1. Wait till Middlebrooks is back or Cecchini is called up in September to make it worth moving X off third
2. They see Marrero as the likely future as SS (or less likely Betts)
3. Try to pump up Drew's trade value
 
Minor:
 
1. Get something for their investment and hide the "mistake" awhile; courtesy to a player who helped win in 2013
2. Give Lester great defense behind him for his starts while they woo him (might be reaching there, but they give him Ross as a caddy)

 

[judyb]

The same reason Peavy's still here, what might improve their trade value more than their own performance is injuries that occur and alternatives being taken by other contenders between now and the trade deadline.

 

[BosRedSox5]

So far, 2014 has been the year of the "what ifs" that never materialized. However, a second half turn around is really not out of the question. Stranger things have happened.
 
Drew is a good baseball player who has proven over the course of an 8 year MLB career that when healthy, he's both a damned fine defensive shortstop and a pretty decent offensive player.
 
This season is not lost (not to me anyway). The moves so far this season don't negatively affect their chances going forward this year or beyond.
 
I understand wanting to ask the question but the answer is "because he's still the best bet to provide wins out of the SS position for the remainder of 2014"
 
Patience people, patience.

 
Is it really though? He's actually cost the team wins so far. I understand full well that Holt and Betts (if we tried him there) would be a downgrade defensively at shortstop. Either way, Drew costs Mookie Betts at bats and developmental time. Either by playing Betts at shortstop (less likely) or by playing Holt there and using Betts in RF (more likely).
 
Whatever the arrangement aren't Holt and Betts worth more total wins than trotting Drew out there? Has Drew shown any sign of turning it around? At least JBJ has shown signs of life. Anyway, I suppose there's not much of an urgent need to dump Drew, but the second Middlebrooks is healthy, I think that would be the time. 

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

The Drew deal didm't equate to $4.5-million in savings... he basically received the QO, prorated.  In the future, I'd prefer the team pay for full season of employment and have the player enjoy a full spring training to prepare for the season.  If the baseball camp to mid-season option is to be utilized again, I hope the lesson learned is that the player is 6-8 weeks from being of any use, particularly with the bat (again the actual real need of this team) and that this type of player should be paid accordingly, that would be less than $10-million, or they stay home and be another teams mid-season experiment.  Would the last six weeks of Jonathan Herrera's glove at SS been a significant downgrade to what Drew has delivered?  

 
No, they really saved that $4.5 million by not paying him for the full season.
 
The "start in the middle of the year" thing hasn't been done often, so it's a SSS, but the Yankees have done it fairly successfully with pitchers, haven't they?

 

[MuzzyField]

But is the savings not lost on the poor performance?  The Sox are paying top-dollar from the time Drew signed on the dotted line.  
 
Yes, on the arms, but It seemed there was a wink-wink with the pitchers regarding preparation and the ramp-up for arrival, similar to normal spring training.  The overall benefit was to limit innings and save bullets for the pursuit of championships on talented, but older arms.  

 

[MakMan44]

 
No, they really saved that $4.5 million by not paying him for the full season.
 
The "start in the middle of the year" thing hasn't been done often, so it's a SSS, but the Yankees have done it fairly successfully with pitchers, haven't they?

Isn't it easier to stay ML ready as a pitcher though? Sure, pitching to actual ML hitters is an incredibly difficult task but working on your pitching mechanics is still probably easier and translates better middle of the season than hitting mechanics. 

 

[joe dokes]

 
Is it really though? He's actually cost the team wins so far. I understand full well that Holt and Betts (if we tried him there) would be a downgrade defensively at shortstop. Either way, Drew costs Mookie Betts at bats and developmental time. Either by playing Betts at shortstop (less likely) or by playing Holt there and using Betts in RF (more likely).
 
Whatever the arrangement aren't Holt and Betts worth more total wins than trotting Drew out there? Has Drew shown any sign of turning it around? At least JBJ has shown signs of life. Anyway, I suppose there's not much of an urgent need to dump Drew, but the second Middlebrooks is healthy, I think that would be the time. 

 
Drew probably did not cost Betts any development time.  Betts started the season at AA and was called up after 3 weeks at AAA.  Drew or no Drew, it's pretty unlikely that the Sox would have called Betts up any sooner.  Drew has played in 26 games.  Even if we agree that that's enough to say, , "pull the plug on Drew," when did it become enough? After a dozen games? 10? 5? 20?
 
Drew has sucked. But let's not turn it into something more than it is.

 

[MakMan44]

He wasn't suggesting that Drew was preventing Mookie from being called up, he's suggesting that Mookie sitting on the bench while Drew plays is bad for his development. 

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

The Drew deal didm't equate to $4.5-million in savings... he basically received the QO, prorated.  In the future, I'd prefer the team pay for full season of employment and have the player enjoy a full spring training to prepare for the season.  If the baseball camp to mid-season option is to be utilized again, I hope the lesson learned is that the player is 6-8 weeks from being of any use, particularly with the bat (again the actual real need of this team) and that this type of player should be paid accordingly, that would be less than $10-million, or they stay home and be another teams mid-season experiment.  Would the last six weeks of Jonathan Herrera's glove at SS been a significant downgrade to what Drew has delivered?  

 
Except no Drew wouldn't have meant six weeks of Herrera at SS.  It would have meant the last six weeks would have featured a lot more Holt and Herrera and Cecchini at 3B while Bogaerts remained the regular SS.  It probably also would mean either Sizemore would have gotten a longer stay or we'd have seen more of Hassan (because there'd be less or no Holt in the OF).
 
Drew was signed because Middlebrooks was hurt and they were hoping to salvage the season.  Either they underestimated how long it would take for Drew to get going, or they panicked and made a desperate, ill-conceived move that potentially untracked a good young player who had been settling in nicely to that point.

 

[MuzzyField]

I agree that Drew was the band-aid for WMB, but the first and most important domino to fall was the lack of Victorino.  No Shane, took his bat out of the line-up and killed the otherwise effective platoon in LF, exposing both Nava and Gomes to poor pitching match-ups and less than favorable defensive assignments (RF).  This also exposed the Sizemore lottery ticket into a must perform position and turned JBJ's bat ninth and learn season into a center stage no place to hide show (DP and Ells enjoyed a little less pressure while adjusting to the bright lights of Boston).  It runs out that Holt was the winning lottery ticket.
 
I don't dislike Drew, but I hated the signing and my frustration has returned because what I viewed as the silver lining was Drew being a chip of value when the focus turned to 2015 and he's not.  
 
How much has Drew cost himself? In what should have been his last best chance to get a well paying multi-year deal he was left twisting in the wind. His unemployment isn't only because of the QO, he had to be significantly overvaluing himself.  To not get one of the 29 other teams to take a chance, given the number of "stupid" signings historically made in MLB is impressive. Boras, the best ever at making teams overpay,  couldn't even get one to bite at what's a pretty important position.   Drew's probably "earning" his best paycheck right now, as his current performance puts serious doubt into his future value.  
 
The craziest part of this is that I'm not sure which is more likely, Drew being DFA's or signing an extension for 2015.  

 

[Plympton91]

Drew has had about half as many plate appearances as they gave Sizemore, and only a few more than Nava got before he was banished to AAA for having a slump. If it weren't for this horrific stretch at the plate coming directly on the heels of his horrific postseason I wouldn't be worried at all. But, I am worried that he may have "lost it" a la BJ Upton last year.

That said, Drew is still here because they haven't yet received a trade offer they like, and they probably won't unless he hits for 3 weeks. Given that the season is lost and Betts is probably going to AAA to make room for Victorino, I think you give Drew at least until July 31 and probably until August 31 to create trade value.

Picking up on the value of his defense, it also makes sense to keep him at shortstop if you're going to start developing young pitching. Every extra out they get helps their development just as much as more at bats help the hitters.

 

[Rasputin]

He's still here because the trading deadline isn't until the end of the month.

I'm pretty sure it's precisely that simple.

 

[joe dokes]

Almost forgot...Drew is here so that we can be reminded that Daniel Nava was sent to AAA because of a slump.  Thanks, Steve!

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

I'll take this opportunity to apologize for ridiculing whoever it was that was confident Herrera would be a better offensive shortstop than Drew this season.

 

[mauidano]

WMB will get every chance to succeed this month when he gets back.  If he can turn it around, dominos will start to fall.  We have a plethora of young middle infield talent.  Keep in mind that BROCKHOLT and Mookie both are second basemen by nature. X is a SS.  so yeah, depth is not a bad thing.  Finding PT for these guys is.  Nothing happening until the end of the month.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

I'll take this opportunity to apologize for ridiculing whoever it was that was confident Herrera would be a better offensive shortstop than Drew this season.

Thanks.

 

[koufax37]

The same reason Peavy's still here, what might improve their trade value more than their own performance is injuries that occur and alternatives being taken by other contenders between now and the trade deadline.

 
This.  His days are numbered, and his signing remains a mistake to me, but there is nothing magical about dumping him now.  He can't reduce his offensive stock by playing more, but he certainly can improve it and have teams write his first 100 ABs off as getting his timing back.  Plus, condenders are not getting healthier at the SS position, but it is very possible one gets worse off with an injury in the next few weeks.  So both his value and team needs would seem to only be able to go up by waiting a few more weeks.
 
While I personally want XB back at short and I was one of many critics of the Drew deal, there is no reason that acting on him now is more valuable to the team than waiting a few more weeks.

 

[geoduck no quahog]

Why is Stephen Drew still here?
 
For the same reasons they signed him, and because the Red Sox do not over react like little schoolgirls when a proven major leaguer struggles through 92 plate appearances and no spring training.
 
He's here because Bogaerts was struggling at SS and WMB (not exactly a terror at the plate) was injured.
 
He's here because his lifetime OPS+ of 96 (exceeded last year) combined with steady better than average defense has made him a valuable player.
 
He's here because his team mates appreciated what he contributed daily and over the long haul. They were disappointed that the Red Sox weren't making offers for him after being willing to pay $14M (at least that's my perception).
 
He's here because his BABIP is a ridiculous .164 and professionals don't over react to that after the equivalent of 20 games, the same way they don't over react to having a good batting eye and getting outside balls called strikes over and over.
 
He's here because he provides a security blanket to the pitching staff and combines with Pedroia as one of the best DP combinations in baseball.
 
He's NOT still here because the Red Sox are unwilling to admit a mistake. 1 - because it was not a mistake and 2. because the do admit mistakes and any assertion otherwise is simple fantasy.
 
I will be bold and say his hitting is bound to trend upward and his fielding is bound to remain near the top, and to abandon him now would be extremely short sighted.
 
The only way I change my mind is if
 
a) there's some sort of chronic injury we're unaware of, or
b) The Sox go to full sell mode and something truly good can be returned from another team that understands his value

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

the Red Sox do not over react like little schoolgirls when a proven major leaguer struggles through 92 plate appearances and no spring training.

 
Do little schoolboys maintain their composure and not overreact?  I don't know, I don't have kids.

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

The "start in the middle of the year" thing hasn't been done often, so it's a SSS, but the Yankees have done it fairly successfully with pitchers, haven't they?

 
Oh my goodness gwacious!

 

[BosRedSox5]

You really need the clip. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV3NhT0oXzY

How embarrassing. 

 

[Rasputin]

You really need the clip. 



How embarrassing. 

For the entire species

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Hey, I'm not proud of the reference, but when Muzzy asked if the mid season start thing ever worked, what examples other than Roger and Pettitte are there?

 

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Roy Oswalt in 2012 - he pitched to a 5.80 ERA, so that didn't work so well
Pedro in 2009 - somewhat better, 3.63 ERA, a great start in the NLCS against the Dodgers, but two losses in the World Series

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Hey, I'm not proud of the reference, but when Muzzy asked if the mid season start thing ever worked, what examples other than Roger and Pettitte are there?

Roy Oswalt in 2012 - he pitched to a 5.80 ERA, so that didn't work so well
Pedro in 2009 - somewhat better, 3.63 ERA, a great start in the NLCS against the Dodgers, but two losses in the World Series

What do all of those have in common? They're pitchers.

I'd imagine almost all examples we could find of hitters getting a late start to a season are those returning from injury. In those cases, likely none were rushed into the lineup after 10 days/<30 PA of rehab. They had lengthy extended spring stints and full length rehab assignments to work themselves back.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

How about the guy who went through the same thing this year? Kendrys Morales after a hot start is now batting .231 with a .574 OPS. Looks like missing ST and almost 3 months of the season may not be all that great for productivity.

 

[joe dokes]

Why is Stephen Drew still here?
 
For the same reasons they signed him, and because the Red Sox do not over react like little schoolgirls when a proven major leaguer struggles through 92 plate appearances and no spring training.
 
He's here because Bogaerts was struggling at SS and WMB (not exactly a terror at the plate) was injured.
 
He's here because his lifetime OPS+ of 96 (exceeded last year) combined with steady better than average defense has made him a valuable player.
 
He's here because his team mates appreciated what he contributed daily and over the long haul. They were disappointed that the Red Sox weren't making offers for him after being willing to pay $14M (at least that's my perception).
 
He's here because his BABIP is a ridiculous .164 and professionals don't over react to that after the equivalent of 20 games, the same way they don't over react to having a good batting eye and getting outside balls called strikes over and over.
 
He's here because he provides a security blanket to the pitching staff and combines with Pedroia as one of the best DP combinations in baseball.
 
He's NOT still here because the Red Sox are unwilling to admit a mistake. 1 - because it was not a mistake and 2. because the do admit mistakes and any assertion otherwise is simple fantasy.
 
I will be bold and say his hitting is bound to trend upward and his fielding is bound to remain near the top, and to abandon him now would be extremely short sighted.
 
The only way I change my mind is if
 
a) there's some sort of chronic injury we're unaware of, or
b) The Sox go to full sell mode and something truly good can be returned from another team that understands his value

no more calls. we have a winner.
 

What do all of those have in common? They're pitchers.

I'd imagine almost all examples we could find of hitters getting a late start to a season are those returning from injury. In those cases, likely none were rushed into the lineup after 10 days/<30 PA of rehab. They had lengthy extended spring stints and full length rehab assignments to work themselves back.
 
 
 

This may be true.  So it suggests not that signing him was a mistake (given the absence of a major league 3Bman, i dont know how it could be seen as one, but YMMV), or that sticking with him for a bit more is a mistake, but that giving him 10 days, and not 20 or 30 in the minors was the mistake.