10:30 AM
Quick update to this via MetsBlog:
The Mets would be a logical landing spot for free-agent SS Stephen Drew, Sandy Alderson told MLB Network on Wednesday. However, he added, Drew and his agent, Scott Boras, are imploring a strategy that may keep him on the open market until June. “In light of what Nelson Cruz got, they might want to reconsider,” Alderson concluded.
Adam Rubin also posted some quotes:
“Look, we have probably 30 front office and coaching staff down here. There’s going to be a stray comment about players from time to time,” Alderson told MLB Network. “That’s unfortunately the nature of the media in New York. It’s so pervasive that comments like that are going to be gleaned from time to time.
“We were happy with what Ruben did in the offseason. We’re hopeful that he’ll show significant improvement on the field — back to the levels he has demonstrated, so it’s not an unrealistic hope. But we continue to look at our middle-infield situation.”
“From our standpoint, look, it does appear that we would be a logical landing spot for someone like Stephen Drew. But, at the same time, we have to make our own, independent evaluation and cost-benefit computation and act accordingly, which is what we have done.”
1:00 AM
The Mets again denied reports that they had made an offer to free agent shortstop Stephen Drew on Tuesday, but the door to conversations with his representatives is still open reports Kristie Ackert of the Daily News.
A team source said that the Mets would be open to signing the qualified free agent if his price came down “significantly below the $14.1 million qualifying offer” he turned down from the Red Sox.
The Mets reportedly made Drew a $9.5 million offer which was quickly turned down.
One team source told Ackert that the Mets are fully prepared to “move forward with Ruben Tejada.
On Sunday, agent Scott Boras told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the free agent shortstop could sit out until after the First Year Player Draft in June.
“A road map for this strategy has been figured out,” said Boras who also contends that there are four teams still interested in Drew including the Red Sox and Mets.
Where the Mets are concerned, if Drew were to sit out until June, would it behoove them to continue to pursue him or simply just wait four more months when a better class of free agents becomes available?
Would it be wiser to then see how Ruben Tejada continues to perform while also keeping a close eye on how some of their top shortstop prospects develop?
Should we give a trimmed down and more agile Wilmer Flores every chance to win the job at short this Spring?
Or do they give Seattle the top pitching prospect they want in exchange for Nick Franklin?
What about making a play for Chris Owings of the D-Backs?
Lots of questions, but no easy answers…
