The Mets don't want to offer Stephen Drew a deal of more than one year, New York Daily News' Andy Martino writes. It's mostly Scott Boras, rather than the Mets, initiating contact between the two sides, and Martino reports that the Mets could attempt to wait Drew out, hoping to sign him cheaply later in the offseason.
Martino also suggests Drew's medicals could be an issue, although it's unclear exactly what that might mean. Drew missed three weeks with a hamstring injury last season, although he played well after he returned. He also missed significant chunks of the 2011 and 2012 seasons with an ankle injury.
Drew hit .253/.333/.433 for the Red Sox last season, and there are a number of teams he should be able to help. Many of those teams prefer to use their own younger shortstop options, however, and the fact that Drew declined a qualifying offer appears to be hurting his market. The Mets' first-round pick is protected, however, and they already gave up their second-round pick to get Curtis Granderson, so they would only have to sacrifice a third-round pick if they signed Drew.
However they pull it off, it’s imperative the Mets upgrade at SS by signing Drew (or by making some sort of a trade). No matter what, I’ll be interested to see where Drew signs. I really feel like he can get 3 years from some team before April.
Not really much of an upgrade, though. Drew had a better 2013 than any year Tejada’s ever had (and obviously higher upside) but Tejada was better in 2011 and 2012.
And this is why I can’t take the Mets seriously.
Shortstop is a glaring need for them. They can’t call 2014 “the year” with Ruben Tejada
Yet they refuse to go beyond 1 year for the best FA Shortstop available.
Give Drew a Multi year deal. Good shortstops don’t grow on trees!
Plus their pick is protected and if they sign a better SS next offseason…
That’s when you can trade Murphy and move Drew to 2B. Unbelievable.
murphy is a better hitter than drew. plus drew never played 2B in the majors or minors
It was a hypothetical situation and I’m positive he can make the transition
He hits like a shortstop overall and like a pitcher against lefties. Not exactly an upgrade at 2B. Murphy’s a better hitter for cheaper.
not every player can make an immediate transition. playing a foreign position is like trying to ride a bike for the first time.
The exact reason I wouldn’t sign Drew for more than 1 year is because of the FA next year. I would also rather Murphy than Drew. He’s better and cheaper.
I’m not sure anyone is calling 2014 the year. It was with Harvey. The fact of the matter is that Drew is overrated and is not a long term solution. They might as well see what Tejada can bring to the table. If he succeeds, you have a long term solution that is making less then $1M this year. If he doesn’t, you have options in FA next offseason
Other than Hanley Ramirez, who you know the Mets aren’t getting, nobody available next offseason is a legitimately better option than Drew. But what they will have to do is surrender a higher pick for that player. So it makes absolutely no sense to wait.
the funny thing is, drew is probably gonna be available next off season…
Stephen Drew hasn’t played a full season since 2010. That, in itself, makes Asdrubal Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez, JJ Hardy, and Jed Lowrie all better options than Drew.
There is also the fact that I would much rather one of these guys under contract for 2-3 years in which the Mets should be contending then having Drew for one year of rebuilding, another year of contention, and then have the same hole in 2016
The only FA SS options worth discussing next year are Ramirez, Lowrie, Cabrera and Hardy. The best two of them will go to the Yankees and Dodgers (probably Ramirez and Lowrie). So the available market will realistically contain two guys marginally better than Drew, with multiple teams bidding on them. SS will be overpriced next year the way outfielders were overpriced this offseason, with teams paying premiums for what they perceive to be difference makers. Drew at 2/$25Mish will be a bargain once the frenzy begins next offseason…
First off, you realize you start this by naming 4 viable SS options, whereas this offseason there were only 2? Other than the Mets, lets assume that the teams in need of a SS will be the teams with FA next offseason (Indians, Marlins, Orioles, Dodgers, Yankees, Athletics, Rays, and Phillies).
I’m going to toss out the Marlins because I really don’t see them outbidding anyone for top free agents. The Rays would likely pick up Yunel Escobar’s team option. The Orioles will shift Manny Machado from 3rd. The Indians, barring something happening this year, are going to promote Francisco Lindor.
That leaves the Yankees, Athletics, Dodgers, and Phillies. The Dodgers 2nd top prospect, Corey Seager, is on pace to make his debut in 2015, possibly taking them out of the market. The Athletics could possibly turn to Nakajima as an option. Of course, Jeter has a job as the Yankees SS until he decides he wants to hang up the cleats, so its not guaranteed that they will be in the market.
In short, the only team that has a definite need at SS next offseason is the Phillies. Even if all these teams express interest, they all have some sort of leverage to drive the price down.
Hechavarria who is the Marlins shortstop is not even arb eligible how is he going to be a free agent next year? If you are thinking Furcal he was signed to play second base.
Yea, I just looked at the 2015 FA list and named all the teams with the SS on it. I remembered that after the fact, but I didn’t make the edit. Anyways, that just further strengthens my point
Indians got Lindor and the As got this other top prospect.
You can’t take them seriously because they don’t want to give a guy a big contract? Coming from the fan of a team who overpays and continues to disappoint. We can’t take the Yankees seriously anymore while they buy buy buy and lose lose lose.
The best FA shortstop available isn’t all that good. Tejada was better than Drew in 2011 and 2012.
Its the same way the Mets didn’t want to go beyond 3 years for Granderson or 1 year for Colon.
I’m thinking just that.
But I don’t believe that they were wrong in either of those cases, especially with Colon. Giving Drew beyond 1 or 2 years would be wrong.
They also didn’t want to go further than 3 with granderson, or 2 with colon, and did it anyway, until he’s signed I don’t read into these pieces at all, remember when jay-z messed up the mariners deal and then literally 20 minutes later he was signed for more money than was reported?
I want to believe this one because 2 years seems like the worst amount. I think they should go with Tejada but if they don’t I think they need to either deem Drew the long term solution and give him 3-4 years at a cheaper rate, or give him 1 year so that they can sign their long term solution in 2015. If they sign him to a 2 year deal they are effectively taking themselves out of the best SS market they will see next offseason.
Martino talking to sources means nothing. Like Ajd said, the Mets didn’t want to go four years on Granderson and 2 years on Colon either and they did. It’s more the fact that they aren’t going to let Boras use them to get into a bidding war. Alderson should play this close to the vest and not overplay his interest. Let Drew call their bluff and find a 3 year deal. Hasn’t found one yet and it probably has to do with his injury history and the draft pick compensation.
I think the fact that the Mets can even entertain the idea of offering a one-year deal speaks volumes about the market for Stephen Drew. It also makes the Jhonny Peralta contract (4yrs/$52MM) seem mighty expensive (or it shows how the qualifying offer can destroy your free agent value).
If it’s only a 3rd round pick to lose, they might as well give it a shot. Drew is screwed that he has a pick tied to him after all.
It’s so low class how the Mets always try to negotiate in the tabloids. They still haven’t figured out that winning the back pages means absolutely nothing. Once they start focusing more on the team than they do their press coverage, maybe they’ll finally regain some respect.
With the signings of “vets” like Granderson & Colon the Mets are trying to win NOW. If Drew is a SS upgrade immediately (which he is) why not go longer than one year?
because hes not good it all
If you think he’s not good at all then you need to pick up a different sport.
The 2015 SS free agent class is pretty strong. They might see that as having better long term options….I certainly do
Problem is he isn’t much of an upgrade. His upside is higher and his 2013 was way better than the dreck the Mets put out there but in 2011 and 2012, Tejada was the better player. Not making this up.
drew is not an immediate upgrade, slight upgrade. tajada is younger and can adapt . the only thing is close to a upgrade is batting average even that is pushing it
As an A’s fan who has had both Stephen Drew and Chris Young recently, Drew would be the better guy to grant 2 years. Just saying..
And Young didn’t get 2.
Stop trying to make Stephen Drew happen
The Blue Jays aren’t signing him so what’s your point? Great team AA put together there and thanks for Syndergaard and D’Arnaud for the 38 year old RA Dickey. Great job that boy wonder GM is doing.
It’s not going to happen!
Who do you think is signing him? They’ve already said Boston is not going to match the qualifying offer money so Drew doesn’t have a ton of choices if the Mets are the only team willing to go 2 years.
It’s a movie quote… but in all honesty Boston since the Mets are being difficult.
If Boston isn’t willing to go at least 2 years, I don’t see them signing him. Not when they are going only going to give him a minimal raise from the 9.5 million he made last year.
mets are only willing to give one year
2 years for you Bartolo Colon, you go Bartolo Colon! And none for Stephen Drew.
They needed a pitcher with Harvey out and if you want to blame anyone on not getting Drew, it’s ownership and not the FO. They are the ones who have the Met’s constricted.
That’s what I’m saying! Drew is not anything special at all. Why would anyone go beyond a year for a guy who has been injured for the better part of the last three years? Because he’s perceived as the best available option? When he did come back, he was just meh. Pfft I’d go with a young cost and team controlled prospect or other cheap retread before I’d give a stiff like Drew three years. Completey overrated IMO. Good for the Mets I say. Wait this dude out and then pass altogether. Mets aren’t gonna contend next year anyway so don’t waste resources on bad/marginal FAs like Drew.
Most of it was one freak ankle injury. Outside of that very unlikely occurrence he’s been about as healthy as one expects the typical baseball player to be.
An ankle injury…for a shortstop. That’s important.
Nothing special?
I agree he isn’t the 2nd coming of A-Rod but there’s nothing wrong with a shortstop that gives you 3.4 WAR. His season last year was worth approximately $20M. Not too shabby. Steamer and Oliver both have him at 2 WAR – pegging his value at $12-$13M.
If all you are surrendering is a 3rd round pick I’d go for it if I was the Mets. Sign him to a 2/$25 deal and call it a day.
Look at the two years before that. Tejada was better than Drew in 2011 and 2012.
Maybe Martino is right, but he’s also the guy who reported Colon wouldn’t be going to the Mets at literally the exact same time Rosenthal said he had an agreement with Mets, so his credibility is..yeah.
Honestly… I know I’m going to get a lot of down votes for this but, oh well. Saying it anyways.
Id rather tejada at this point. Tejada hit .287 two years ago. He had an awful 2013. He’s also young and has a learning curve, as many young players will. He showed huge flashes of excellence defensively in 2012. in 2013, he looked like a highschooler defensively. That all being said, who’s to say he can’t live up to what 2012 showed? I mean, i remember times in 2012 when Tejada actually got me somewhat EXCITED.
Drew is NOT worth what he will get in this FA market, and the market has many more options opening next year. Just wait it out.
While signing drew makes the mets LOOK more legit, it really does not add much to the team. Its all just hype. Spend the money on another starter and some veteran relievers to help lead all of the 20-something’s the team currently has.
Power. That’s where all the hype is. Ruben Tejadas anemic power kills it for me. Otherwise Drew is only a minor upgrade
Drew flashes more power but he hasn’t been much better than Tejada over his career.
Mets fans to Stephen Drew: Come
As you are
As you were
As I want you to be
As a friend
As a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time
Hurry up
The choice is your
Don’t be late
Take a rest
As a friend
As an old memoria
Nice!!
From Drew’s perspective… why on earth would he not have accepted the QO from the Sox? $14.1 mil is double what he is worth, easily. Unless I had no shortstop in my system, I would not give up a draft pick and money for Drew.
Both him AND morales won’t get nearly the kind of money their QO’s would have given.
because he didn’t want to come back to Bogarts and Middlebrooks to fight for playing time, and he needs at least a 2 year deal so he doesn’t have to fight for a contract next year when a bunch of good SS’s hit the market all at the same time.
Drew would and should start over Middlebrooks.
He was worth $20M+ last year. Not sure why you would value him at $7M?
And was worth negative money the year before last…
His salary has steadily increased since ’09, his best year, while his numbers have steadily declined. He projects to be far worse in 2014 than he was this past year, when he was passable (but not for 9.5M) offensively. As a Sox fan, maybe I’m just worn out on overpriced Drews. Also, how do you value him at $20M? I didn’t use any particular calculation for $7M, I just can’t fathom paying the fellow in the top ten Sox salaries for play that doesn’t merit it. He may still play relatively well, but not $9.5M or $14.1M well.
I think that the Meets should go at least two years…they do not have a stud shortstop in their system that will help them any time soon..solve the problem for two or years so that you can fix other holes next year and hopefully contend!!
It is ridiculous the Mets won’t give more than 1 year, it’s not like they have a Bogaerts waiting in the wings or something.
No they don’t, but next years FA SS class is a lot better. For what Drew is, he’s asking for a lot of money. He’s hurt all the time… It makes sense to approach this as a 1 and done deal.
Stephen Drew would cost a 3rd round draft pick this year. FA SS’s next year (Hardy, Cabrera) would most likely cost a 1st round draft pick. Trading for a SS would most likely cost top prospects. The Mets don’t have any good SSs in the organization till the lower A levels.
Signing Stephen Drew and giving him a 2 or 3 year deal seems like a no-brainer.
You can’t make a decision like that banking on next year’s free agency class. You have no idea who is going to resign with their teams. If big market teams are in the mix like the Yankees or Dodgers, the Mets don’t stand a chance. Drew would add major league talent to a team on the cusp of contending. He’s no stud, but he fills a hole and allows the team to have a competitve chance
Good. Boras is probably just using the Mets to get the Red Sox to up their offer anyway.
What is wrong with 1 year and/with a year TEAM option? If he is good he stays if not he goes
Gregorious for montero
2 years for Drew is good, but 3 is a no-no. He’d be a good addition, giving them 4 lefties and 4 righties. Unless they choose to Platoon Davis/Duda/Satin.
If Drew signs with the Mets, they better be platooning him with Tejada.
With the O’s talking extension with Hardy, the Dodgers the same with Hanley you have to figure one of those 2 is off the market next season. As much as I see people here talking the strong class of 2015 at SS the one consideration that is not going in is this would cost a 3rd round pick now while next year (if the Mets improve) will cost a 1st. Signing Drew on a 2 year pact for a 3rd round pick is worth it if the club does not want to deal with Tejada anymore. If they feel he is back to his 2012 ways then nix Drew now and tell Boras to stop calling.
As for reports from Martino he lost his credibility with me the second he said the team was not close to Colon then Colon signed within the hour.