Has anybody mentioned Stephen Drew?

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Don't want to thread jack, but it's horrible that Dodgertown isn't being used. What a wonderful place to see a spring game.

[ashie62]

If I am Stephen Drew I am so firing Scott Boras.

[Lefty Specialist]

Ashie62 wrote: If I am Stephen Drew I am so firing Scott Boras.

Well, depends on what happens. If a contending team loses their SS in spring training and they overpay in desperation, Boras is a genius.

[Frayed Knot]

Besides, it's not like these players get into bed with Boras not knowing how he operates - especially Drew he had his older brother (maybe both of them) work with Boras as well.
Hell, this whole strategy could very well be at Drew's insistence.

[smg58]

Right. I'm withholding judgement on all interested parties until I see what kind of deal Drew signs.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Jon Heyman checks in with Stephen Drew

He's at a "Boras camp" working out with other still-unsigned free agents. Working at the camp is former Met Alex Ochoa!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I'm guessing that when/if they play intrasquad games, both teams go unnamed.

[Edgy MD]

Boras is suggesting that Drew and others might sit out until June, which would certainly cost the players munny and a part of their legacies, but could be a big blow against what's left of the compensation system.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Boras is suggesting that Drew and others might sit out until June, which would certainly cost the players munny and a part of their legacies, but could be a big blow against what's left of the compensation system.

Sitting out may be beneficial to the labor agreements/compensation clauses, but I hope Drew and others realize they're mostly being used as pawns by the players association/agents for that cause. Sitting out will be detrimental to them personally I would think. They'll clearly get less (unless they're hoping to make a "you're desparate!" plea?) for less work.

And I wonder how they'll be perceived in terms of teammates and work ethic for sitting out half the season, especially if they end up somewhere that just misses the playoffs.

[metirish]

Yeah, looks like they are overplaying their hand here....

[ashie62]

How about 2/22 for Drew now?

[nymr83]

Sitting out until June doesnt seem too smart for the player. It also doesnt really help the "players' cause". if a player who was employed by one team "held out" they'd care because they were counting on his services, but for a free agent to refuse to sign with anyone doesnt make anyone feel they are losing out.

as for the team that eventually signs him, i cant see any fallout. the players will understand it as a business decision and the fans need to realize that if he'd signed sooner it might not have been with their team at all!

[Edgy MD]

I think it does help the player's cause. It denies not one, but potentially two teams of compensatory draft picks, and it underscores an extreme situation that a handful of players found themselves to be in due to little fault of their own (possibly by being a little bit too good), therefore strengthening the resolve of the players union to push further against free agent compensation.

And if multiple players shoot for that loophole together, well shoot, that's solidarity, and the teams can't ignore them all for long. I mean, once upon a time, you'd've thought that the guy that was needlessly shooting himself in the foot in a fit of obstinacy was Curt Flood.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: I think it does help the player's cause. It denies not one, but potentially two teams of compensatory draft picks, and it underscores an extreme situation that a handful of players found themselves to be in due to little fault of their own (possibly by being a little bit too good), therefore strengthening the resolve of the players union to push further against free agent compensation. .

That maybe helps the cause in general but not the player who will now get less money for less work, and while the compensation pick (may) be hurting them, though we're not even sure Drew has any real suitors willing to give him what he's asking for, it could help to in that teams now they can hire a mercenary and if he's good and walks they get a pick back afterwards. And now look, perhaps Boras and Drew are looking to sign a one-year and try free agency again next year, but with the threat of staying out until June teams are going to be more wary whereas they might be willing to splurge on a one year deal figuring they get a pick out of it afterwards.

Keep in mind the two main teams mentioned for Drew are the Red Sox, who wouldn't give up a pick, and the Mets who'd only give up a third rounder.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Is this guy still alive? He must be seriously rethinking his strategy.

[Frayed Knot]

Once you make the decision to go in with Scott Boras you pretty much know this is a strategy going in. Brother J.D. played independent league ball for a year after being drafted #2 overall because they were waiting for a better offer.
So while I'm sure this path wasn't his first choice, it's not like he didn't go into this with his eyes wide open either.


The next movement we'll probably see at this point will be after the next draft is over (about six weeks away now).
At that point the draft pick compensation attachment goes away and money becomes the only obstacle to negotiate.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I find myself hoping he gets less than the $14.1 million (or whatever the number was) that he rejected.

[Edgy MD]

He'll almost have to, considering he's missing a chunk of the season.

[dgwphotography]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I find myself hoping he gets less than the $14.1 million (or whatever the number was) that he rejected.

Anything that makes Boras look bad makes me smile.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Resigns with Red Sox for prorated portion of $14 M salary, Internet says.

[Edgy MD]

Well, that was... long.

What's next?

[smg58]

Ultimately he gets to negotiate next year without having to worry about the qualifying offer, so this may yet pay out for Drew. I'm shocked that he couldn't command more than that, draft pick or not, but I moved on a while ago.

[Guest themetfairy]

Mini Willets must be happy about the signing.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Resigns with Red Sox for prorated portion of $14 M salary, Internet says.

I know one person who will be really happy about this.

[Edgy MD]

Seriously. Mrs. Drew is ECSTATIC.