Has anybody mentioned Stephen Drew?

[Edgy MD]

Not quite yet, though.

Deep sad sighs.

[seawolf17]

I don't know that Tejada's the answer either, but spending good money and a draft pick on a guy who's going to strike out 140 times and hit .250 and is eight years older isn't the answer either. I still pass.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Plus he's a bland, Southern Jesus type of guy and we have enough of those.

[MFS62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Plus he's a bland, Southern Jesus type of guy and we have enough of those.

What would you prefer, someone who looks like the sixth guy from the left in a police lineup?
All I want is someone who could bat sixth from the top in the Mets lineup, and play good shortstop.

Later

[nymr83]

seawolf17 wrote: I don't know that Tejada's the answer either, but spending good money and a draft pick on a guy who's going to strike out 140 times and hit .250 and is eight years older isn't the answer either. I still pass.

A 3rd round draft pick really shouldnt be stopping a team from signing a guy.

[Ceetar]

Nymr83 wrote: I don't know that Tejada's the answer either, but spending good money and a draft pick on a guy who's going to strike out 140 times and hit .250 and is eight years older isn't the answer either. I still pass. A 3rd round draft pick really shouldnt be stopping a team from signing a guy.

Stop me when you've more than heard of a guy:

Casey Meisner
Ivan Wilson
Matthew Koch
Logan Verrett
Blake Forsythe
Robbie Shields
Kirk R Nieuwenhuis
Eric M Niesen
Stephen P Clyne
Joseph M Smith
Gabriel Hernandez
Leonard E. DiNardo
Joshua Reynolds


So like..one major leaguer and it's a middle reliever.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ivan Wilson's gonna break Strawberry's home run record. WRITE IT DOWN.

I'm just not that excited over Drew, and I think we will add a guy by trade/other team attrition during ST. Oh, I was joking over the bland Jesus thing, though it is true.

[Vic Sage]

Nymr83 wrote: seawolf17 wrote: I don't know that Tejada's the answer either, but spending good money and a draft pick on a guy who's going to strike out 140 times and hit .250 and is eight years older isn't the answer either. I still pass. A 3rd round draft pick really shouldnt be stopping a team from signing a guy.

THANK you. Without overstating the value of Drew, he is a better option than any other we currently have. And I don't think we're talking about signing him to a big$/long term deal that can hamstring an organization; it's not like he's the last piece of a 2014 championship run so there's no point in overpaying in years and dollars (in my view, if he won't take less than 3+yrs, at $10m+/yr or more, Sandy should walk away). But assuming he can be had for 1-2 years at under $10m/yr, he's a valuable upgrade. And Tejada would still be a backup plan, if Drew goes down again. But money aside, the notion that we would choose not to improve immediately because it'll cost us a THIRD round pick, a pick whose chances are remote of ever one day becoming as good a major league ballplayer as Drew is now, seems absurd to me.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Guest

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, here's all the third-round draft choices from Mets history. The last four or five have yet to peak, perhaps, but out of the 94 guys listed, maybe five you wouldn't swap for Drew in a heartbeat. And even those are five aren't all sure things.

Most are utterly forgotten.

Year Player
2013 Ivan Wilson
2013 Casey Meisner
2012 Matthew Koch
2011 Logan Verrett
2010 Blake Forsythe
2009 Robbie Shields
2008 Kirk Nieuwenhuis
2007 Stephen Clyne
2006 Joe Smith
2004 Gaby Hernandez
2001 Lenny DiNardo
2000 Josh Reynolds
1999 Jeremy Griffiths
1998 Jason Saenz
1997 Cesar Crespo
1996 Ed Yarnall
1995 Ryan Bowers
1994 Bryon Gainey
1993 Mike Welch
1991 Jeff Kiraly
1990 Micah Franklin
1989 Brook Fordyce
1988 Derrick Warren
1988 Doug Saunders
1987 Tim Hines
1986 Jim Morrisette
1986 John Wenrick�
1986 Ronald Height
1985 Rob Lemle
1985 Andy Berg�
1985 Robert Doman�
1985 John Sellick�
1984 Mark Brunswick
1984 John Alva�
1984 Mike Westbrook
1983 Rick Aguilera
1983 Miles Schuler
1982 Roger McDowell
1982 Jim Benedict�
1982 Kal Daniels
1982 Marvin Parker
1981 Greg Griffin�
1981 Reynaldo Tolentino�
1981 Nick Esposito�
1980 Jody Johnston�
1980 Charles Nat
1979 Craig Jones�
1979 Sheldon Andrews�
1979 Marques Cooper
1978 Brian Giles
1978 Marty Barrett�
1977 Steve McQueen�
1977 Donald Hess
1977 Michael Matlock
1976 Curtis Baker�
1976 Michael Coppess�
1976 Jody Davis
1976 Michael Coppess
1975 George Milke
1975 Rick Sander
1975 Jackie Smith�
1974 Keith Bodie
1974 James Eble
1973 Gary Nevinger
1973 Andrew Jackson
1973 Chris Lynch�
1972 Craig Swan
1972 John Blue
1972 Roger Danson
1971 John Busco
1971 Michael McManus�
1971 Paul Bagnasco
1971 Keith Buckingham
1971 Mardie Cornejo�
1970 Michael Graham
1970 Ken Wamble�
1970 Clarence Bass
1970 David Breshears
1969 Garnett Davis
1969 Larry Fritz
1969 Doug Britelle�
1969 Greg Archer
1968 Bernie Boehmer�
1968 Ray Peters�
1968 Fred Kampf
1967 Gary Myers�
1967 Gary Gentry
1967 Thomas Grubb
1967 Richard Carlson
1966 Donald Linehan
1966 Danny Frisella
1966 Mike Griffith
1966 Dewey Weaver
1965 Joe Moock

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Ed Yarnall brought us Mike Piazza. Marty Barrett brought us the last out of the 1986 World Series.

[Edgy MD]

Interesting that perhaps the three best players (for the Mets, anyhow) on that list were near-ace guys who got waylaid --- Swan and Gentry by injuries and Aguilera just not being able to prosper on a starter's workload and peaking only after becoming a full-time reliever.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Ed Yarnall brought us Mike Piazza. Marty Barrett brought us the last out of the 1986 World Series.

Yes, but Steve McQueen brought us Bullitt and The Thomas Crown Affair. And John Blue gave us edifying films of a different nature, I think, probably.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Eight weeks until Opening Day. And what, three weeks until position players report to spring training? I would think that this has to be resolved fairly soon.

[nymr83]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Eight weeks until Opening Day. And what, three weeks until position players report to spring training? I would think that this has to be resolved fairly soon.

Resolved by reporting to st lucie.!

How much does Tejada have to be sweating this out right now? Checking espn every hour just hopeing this guy signed elsewhere.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'm pretty convinced the Mets shortstop won't be Drew (don't wanna spend the $$) and won't be Tejada (attitude & results terrible).

Spring training trade involving Doodoo OR Ike and one of the pitching prospects lands a guy like Didi Gregorious with us or maybe even that other Dbaggs SS. WRITE IT DOWN

[Zvon]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm pretty convinced the Mets shortstop won't be Drew (don't wanna spend the $$) and won't be Tejada (attitude & results terrible). Spring training trade involving Doodoo OR Ike and one of the pitching prospects lands a guy like Didi Gregorious with us or maybe even that other Dbaggs SS. WRITE IT DOWN

Noted.
I thought Tejada was on track to be in good shape and possibly out of the doghouse by seasons start. No?

I'm pretty convinced the starting SS will be Tejada at this point. CARVE THAT ON A TREE or something..

[Edgy MD]

The Pirates, who can do better than Gaby Sanchez at first, went out and re-signed Clint Barmes, though he's currently listed as third on their depth chart behind Jody Mercer and Josh Harrison. Conclusion: the Mets will make a deal with the Pirates for a shortstop.

Tie that to a brick and throw it through the window of the old abandoned tire factory. Scribble it in the margins of that copy of Stalag 17 before you return it to the library. Make a meme of it and upload it to Pinterest, because brother, this is what is going to come to pass.

[smg58]

The Mets will deal for one of the four shortstops in the consensus list of top ten prospects in the game (or for Jurickson Profar, who still kind of counts as an elite shortstop prospect). Make a mental note that it was in this thread and then promptly forget it when something else happens.

[Lefty Specialist]

Funny story. I was walking through the woods yesterday, and wouldn't you know it....

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Tie that to a brick and throw it through the window of the old abandoned tire factory. Scribble it in the margins of that copy of Stalag 17 before you return it to the library. Make a meme of it and upload it to Pinterest, because brother, this is what is going to come to pass.

Lefty Specialist wrote: Funny story. I was walking through the woods yesterday, and wouldn't you know it....

lol & ha!

[Edgy MD]

Twitter just blew up with reports from King Cotton that the Mets have an offer to Drew on the table.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I just checked Google News, and I see a lot of reports that the Red Sox are the team with the two-year deal on the table.

[Edgy MD]

Are you doubting WFAN's leading broadcastuh?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I guess I am!

[Edgy MD]

Mets blog on Francesa report: http://metsblog.com/mets-rumors/stephen-drew/stephen-drew-rumors-red-sox-make-a-two-year-offer/

Mets made an offer, as did Red Sox February 4th, 2014 2:25 pm The Mets made an offer to free-agent SS Stephen Drew and continue to negotiate over the length of the deal, WFAN�s Mike Francesa said on air Tuesday (Brender, Feb. 4). 5:00 am: MLB Network�s Peter Gammons said Tuesday that he believes Drew will eventually sign with the Mets. (What? Not Beirut?) Last week, Sandy Alderson said he�s continuing to monitor Drew�s situation, but signing the shortstop remains unlikely (DiComo, Jan. 29). It was reported late Tuesday that the Red Sox made a two-year offer to Drew (Bowden, Feb. 3). However, according to Gammons, Boston is asking Drew to essentially be a utility infielder, playing shortstop, third and second base. Matthew Cerrone, Lead Writer The way I understand it, Drew is still insisting on a three- or four-year deal, and no team (including the Mets) seems to want to go there. The Blue Jays, A�s and Twins are also reportedly interested (Martino, Jan. 27, Heyman, Jan. 28), so maybe he still feels he has leverage. He�s reportedly willing to play multiple positions, but I assume that is simply a way to get more teams involved. In the end, I have to think he�d prefer to be a starting shortstop, which is something the Mets can offer him that Boston cannot. The Blue Jays have Jose Reyes and Houston has a bright, up-and-coming prospect ready to take over. The A�s have Nick Punto and Jed Lowrie. So, again, like I said months ago, the Twins and Mets may end up Drew�s best option�

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'd be okay with a two-year deal for Drew. I find myself hoping it happens.

[Edgy MD]

Kristie Ackert ?@AckertNYDN 4m #Mets source says no offer on the table for Stephen Drew at this time.

I haven't heard the clip, but perhaps it's just poorly phrased wishful thinking/pot stirring by Francesa.

It's the sort of thing he usually gets right, though.

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: ... However, according to Gammons, Boston is asking Drew to essentially be a utility infielder, playing shortstop, third and second base. [Drew is] reportedly willing to play multiple positions, but I assume that is simply a way to get more teams involved. In the end, I have to think he�d prefer to be a starting shortstop, which is something the Mets can offer him that Boston cannot.

This is where I think the Mets' advantage has always been. It's why I never bought the (probably Boras planted) Yanqui stories and if I'm Boston I'm putting Sander Bogaerts* at SS and looking for an easier to find (and pay) 3B stick that can approximate what Drew gave them in 2013 while also getting an extra top-100 (70-ish) draft pick out of it all. Doesn't mean they wouldn't take Drew back, but that they can afford to do it on their terms and not Boras's.




* Bogaerts seems to be emerging as the #2 prospect in all of baseball according to the lists this winter and certainly had an impressive (even if short) trial run late last season.

[Edgy MD]

It seems the Twinks are playing the game the same way the Mets are --- laying back and hoping Drew will fall into their laps, while playing it like they don't care one way or the other.

Man, the modern MLB GM has to be a little like the Fonz.

[ashie62]

Red Sox Xander Bogaerts
Twins Miguel Sano
Astro Charles Correa

I'd be happy to have Drew...