Has anybody mentioned Stephen Drew?

[smg58]

He had a .777 OPS (111 OPS+) for Boston last year. It comes after two down years affected by an ankle injury, but the OPS+ is consistent with his best seasons in Arizona.

He plays shortstop, and will be 31 in March.

He's generating far less press on the rumor mill than Jhonny Peralta did, despite Peralta's PED suspension.

What's up with him?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I believe signing him would cost us another draft pick.

I have no idea about this guy.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Scott Boras is his agent. He initially wanted five years, but the buzz is that nobody wants to go that long for him, and maybe three years would get him. He probably won't get cheap enough for the Mets to bite, but who knows? If he gets into January, unexpected things might happen.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Scuttlebutt is that we're interested, but playing coy. Then again, that and commodity pricing for 123 lbs of eggs and turkey bacon and coffee cake will get breakfast for you and Bartolo.

I think I'd rather live with Ruben at short-- hell, I'd rather live WITH Ruben, at home-- than pay Boras money for this guy's age-36 season.

[metirish]

From what I saw in the Playoffs he was terrible....at the plate anyway.

[Edgy MD]

He would join the ranks of Mets whose names are complete sentences (Rick Waits, rush chairman), but otherwise, there's wisdom in not killing yourself to solve all your problems at once.

[ashie62]

Screw the lost pick cmon..

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

They've already given up one pick. You want them to give up another AND five years-- NOTE: One MORE year than they gave Jason Bay-- to a 30-year-old shortstop with 48-year-old knees, who played 124 games last year, and hadn't played more than 86 in the two seasons prior?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Boras isn't getting the interest in Drew that he wanted. There are indications that he may drift the Mets' way, although it sounds like at this point it's still considered unlikely.

I recall that a few years ago Boras had one of his players sign a one-year contract, figuring that it would be better to try again a year later and hopefully find a more favorable market. I wonder if this will happen with Drew? From the Mets perspective, they may not want to lose that draft pick for a one-year shortstop, so maybe the middle ground is a two-year contract.

It will be interesting to see if this scenario grows more likely in the next couple of weeks.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I recall that a few years ago Boras had one of his players sign a one-year contract, figuring that it would be better to try again a year later and hopefully find a more favorable market. I wonder if this will happen with Drew? From the Mets perspective, they may not want to lose that draft pick for a one-year shortstop, so maybe the middle ground is a two-year contract.

Was that Madsen? Who signed a one year deal with the Reds in 2012 and promptly got hurt in Spring Training and hasn't pitched since?

[nymr83]

Ceetar wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: I recall that a few years ago Boras had one of his players sign a one-year contract, figuring that it would be better to try again a year later and hopefully find a more favorable market. I wonder if this will happen with Drew? From the Mets perspective, they may not want to lose that draft pick for a one-year shortstop, so maybe the middle ground is a two-year contract. Was that Madsen? Who signed a one year deal with the Reds in 2012 and promptly got hurt in Spring Training and hasn't pitched since?

Not sure if he was a Boras client, but that was what happened to him.


If Drew drops down into the affordable 3 year range I'd hope the Mets would give it a shot, but I'm skeptical that Boras and Wilpon aren't just enjoying a mutually beneficial "leak" of their conversations... Boras gets the perception of a greater market while Wilpon gets the perception of at least pursuing big-ticket free agents.

[Edgy MD]

I'd be surprised and disappointed to find out the Mets are playing a game for peception purposes.

[Frayed Knot]

There was something in one of the papers today about Drew possibly winding up with either NYC team - although no evidence was given in either case, most just a statement, "it could happen".

Personally I can't see him going to the Bronx and having to sit and/or DH half the time, and I sure can't see the Yanx telling Jeter that HE is going to be the backup.
As far as the Mets go, the article speculated that Drew/Boras wanted three years while the Mets wanted to hold things to two. I suppose you can call that progress as I think the early reports were that Drew was looking for five years coming off his first good and healthy year in a while.

[nymr83]

Frayed Knot wrote: There was something in one of the papers today about Drew possibly winding up with either NYC team - although no evidence was given in either case, most just a statement, "it could happen". Personally I can't see him going to the Bronx and having to sit and/or DH half the time, and I sure can't see the Yanx telling Jeter that HE is going to be the backup. As far as the Mets go, the article speculated that Drew/Boras wanted three years while the Mets wanted to hold things to two. I suppose you can call that progress as I think the early reports were that Drew was looking for five years coming off his first good and healthy year in a while.

Drew isn't even close to being a good enough hitter for an AL team to consider him as even a part-time DH though, his value comes from being an average bat at a position devoid of bats. if you just wanted DH production, trade for Lucas Duda.

[Ceetar]

Nymr83 wrote: Drew isn't even close to being a good enough hitter for an AL team to consider him as even a part-time DH though, his value comes from being an average bat at a position devoid of bats. if you just wanted DH production, trade for Lucas Duda.

Do the Yankees have anything worthwhile to trade? Beltran and half his salary maybe?

[Frayed Knot]

Nymr83 wrote: Drew isn't even close to being a good enough hitter for an AL team to consider him as even a part-time DH ...

I'm not suggesting he is.
What I'm saying is that I don't see (despite an article claiming otherwise) a spot for Drew in the Bronx because of Jeter's image being tied to getting as much time at SS as possible and about the Yanx being tied emotionally to Jeter at SS.

IOW, why the hell would Drew agree to go there knowing the shit storm he'd be heading into (and the DH time he'd be forced to log) even if it's just for year one of the deal?

[Edgy MD]

Maybe he'd play second for a year, while preparing to serve as Jeter's successor in year two, and be ready to step in earlier if necessary.

Maybe?

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, too crazy, I guess.

[Frayed Knot]

Well yeah, the Yanx might want to put him at 2B for a season where he'll share time with Brian Roberts & Kelly Johnson, and maybe play some 3B depending on the length of ARod's suspension, all while he waits for Jeter to get [even]old[er] and to the point where both he and the team no longer automatically see him as having the right of first refusal at the field's most important defensive position ... but if you're Stephen Drew, coming as you are off a great year for a championship team at SS, why would you possibly agree to that set-up at a time when you have other options?

[Edgy MD]

Well, I guess my answer is why does anybody agree to subject themselves to the countless indignities of playing for the Yankees? Why would Alex Rodriguez, at the apex of his offensive ability and the current Gold Glove and on a track to challenge Honus Wagner for the title of GREATEST SHORTSTOP EVER deign ---absolutely deign --- to come to the Yankees and switch positions in deference to his utterly obvious inferior.

The answer is... scads and scads of money.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, but ARod was low on options. He wanted out of Dallas (and Rangers mgmt wanted out from under ARod) and, even with Texas agreeing to eat as much as $75 million future dollars, no one would accept that contract except for the Yanx. Even the BoSox' deal, you'll remember, couldn't be arranged in a way so as to satisfy the PA. So he went with his money intact and an out-clause in his pocket, agreeing to give up SS no doubt but also most likely seeing enough championshipS in his future to cement his legacy from that end. After all, how could a team that had won four times in the previous six years add HIM and not win at least as often going forward?

Drew on the other hand, having multiple teams to talk to and in an age where the money gap between the MFY and those also-rans that make up the rest of MLB isn't nearly as stark as it was a decade ago, can be a full-time SS somewhere for probably the same money that the Yanx would give him and not be the 2nd or 3rd option depending on the whims of 2 or 3 other players or the hatred of being the one who shoved St Derek permanently out of his position.

[ashie62]

The market for Drew is not getting any stronger of late..

Why any team could sign him really.....

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

Drew at SS and Morales at 1B would make the Mets a very good team. They are both 30 years old and seem attainable for 3 year contracts. If the goal is to present a winning product that fans will support, then these are obvious moves.

[Edgy MD]

Well, the goal is generally to present a winning product that fans will support while not crippling your ability to continue to do that in the future. Morales would likely be giving up quite a bit (including a draft pick) for somebody that isn't necessarily an obvious bet to outperform who they already have.

[Vic Sage]

Morales is 30, with an average OPS+ of 120, with a .280/30hr/90rbi line. And you don't think he is an obvious choice to outperform Ike or Lucas? Yeah, i'll just say i strenuously disagree. While the race doesn't always go to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, that's the way to bet.

as to his cost, we don't have to trade for him. As i understand it, the Mets won't have to give up a top pick (it's protected, yes?), so the cost here is money. Same for Drew. Which is why neither will happen; Sandy has likely maxed out his card. But lets not pretend either move wouldn't be an obvious and immediate upgrade on the field or in any way cripple the ability of a big market team to move forward.

[Ceetar]

obvious or immediate? Well, Lucas Duda's OPS+ isn't that far off, and the Duda actually has the higher more valuable OBP. (and yes, is cheaper)

And who really knows about Davis? His 170 OPS+ in the second half last year is as good or better than any of Morales months and Kendrys had his sucker months too. (.235/.265/.306 .571 in June and his August was poor too) Granted, Ike struggled worse and for longer and Kendrys was more balanced in 2011 but still only finished .016 better in OPS than Ike.

Is that really an obvious replacement? It seems like more of a steadier replacement, but unless money is absolutely no object, which isn't not for any team, I'm not sure it's a clear-cut expenditure unless he's just asking like 1-2 years for 4-5 per.

[Edgy MD]

Vic Sage wrote: Morales is 30, with an average OPS+ of 120, with a .280/30hr/90rbi line. And you don't think he is an obvious choice to outperform Ike or Lucas? Yeah, i'll just say i strenuously disagree. While the race doesn't always go to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, that's the way to bet.

Yeah, Morales has a career OPS+ of 120. By firstbaseman standards, that's not so high as all that.

Duda, three years younger, is at 114. Davis is at 112 and four years younger. Factor in time missed --- which was 1 2/3 years for Morales, and that's meaningful. I don't see anything so obvious there that's worth paying additional tens of millions and a draft pick for.

Does he by himself improve the team's immediate prospects? Sure, 120 is greater than 114 and four firstbasemen is greater than three. But to the degree he'd cost, I don't think that's likely. If he missed all that time for the Mets after injuring himself in a homerun celebration, fans would certainly be wary and weary of him. I think he's a negative on defense.

I'm all for upgrading at shortstop and generally pursuing guys who can play positions.

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

Ceetar wrote: obvious or immediate? Well, Lucas Duda's OPS+ isn't that far off, and the Duda actually has the higher more valuable OBP. (and yes, is cheaper) And who really knows about Davis? His 170 OPS+ in the second half last year is as good or better than any of Morales months and Kendrys had his sucker months too. (.235/.265/.306 .571 in June and his August was poor too) Granted, Ike struggled worse and for longer and Kendrys was more balanced in 2011 but still only finished .016 better in OPS than Ike. Is that really an obvious replacement? It seems like more of a steadier replacement, but unless money is absolutely no object, which isn't not for any team, I'm not sure it's a clear-cut expenditure unless he's just asking like 1-2 years for 4-5 per.

Our catcher, SS and at least 2 if not 3 of the outfielders are anything but steady. Mets need steady to balance out the risks at those positions. Duda and Ike increase that risk from justifiable to reckless.

[Edgy MD]

Well, again, I don't see Morales as all that great (or all that likely) an improvement to justify the investment of limited resources.

Shortstop, starting pitcher, sure. If I had money to spend, I'd look in those directions.

[Edgy MD]

While I think while the team can get a mercurial range of outcomes from any of their first base options, I think among Davis, Duda, Satin, and even Murphy and others, steady is certainly available.