2:00 PM
In a mailbag post on Mets.com, beat writer Anthony DiComo answered the following question:
Why is general manager Sandy Alderson so against signing Stephen Drew to a two- or three-year contract?
The only explanation I can give you is one I’ve heard multiple times this winter: the Mets simply don’t love Drew as a player.
Maybe some part of that is posturing, but I suspect there’s more than a morsel of truth to it. Drew is going to be 31 on Opening Day, he hasn’t had a full, healthy season in four years and his career on-base percentage is .329.
While he’s obviously an upgrade over Ruben Tejada if healthy, the Mets don’t see him as enough of one to justify the risk or the salary.
I think I just said that in a comment today…. But DiComo is right and he is as closely connected to Mets buzz than anyone else, so…
Read his full response and more here.
11:30 AM
I guess after three emails with a link to a blurb about Stephen Drew this morning, the consensus is that I’m expected to give an update on the free agent shortstop? 🙂
Okay then, so, here it is… Anthony Rieber writes:
“The Mets have not ruled out a short-term contract for free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew; they are patiently waiting for Drew and agent Scott Boras to find a long-term deal if they can.”
Interesting…
Prior to that, the last thing we heard about Stephen Drew, was that the Mets were still mildly engaged but that a deal with the Scott Boras client was more possible than probable.
The Mets, in fact, are prepared to begin the 2014 season with Ruben Tejada as their starter at shortstop.
Sandy Alderson recently said that what he hoped to accomplish before spring training opens in a few weeks, was to sign a veteran reliever on a major league deal and a starter to a minor league deal. You can cross the latter off of your checklists.
Boras will ultimately get Drew his multi-year deal, and while mum’s the word in Flushing unless Drew takes a one-year deal, that’s not the case in Boston where there’s now whispers that they may welcome him back on a two-year deal.
Nothing has really changed on the Drew front, and just like they have been back in November, the Mets are still interested in Drew in mid-January.
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