The Mets appear willing to offer Stephen Drew a one-year contract with a club option, but even if he accepted those terms, the two sides remain apart on dollars, according to what a source told the NY Post.
Mike Puma writes that another hurdle comes from some strong voices within the organization who believe the 24-year-old Tejada can rebound and become essentially the equivalent of the soon-to-be 31-year-old Drew, at a much lower cost for the immediate future.
However, one major league talent evaluator said that line of thinking is misguided.
“They are totally overvaluing Ruben Tejada,” the evaluator said. “Especially with all their young pitchers, Drew would be a great addition for the Mets.”
Drew’s options appear limited — the Red Sox reportedly have extended him a one-year offer to return — leaving one Mets official to believe the shortstop might “fall into our lap.” Even so, Drew’s name hasn’t come up during organizational meetings in recent days, according to multiple sources.
I wonder which Met official said that?
Can Drew fall into the Mets’ lap? At this point anything is possible. I would imagine that even Scott Boras is getting antsy along with Drew and that there must be some pressure to come to some decision pretty quickly.
Sandy Alderson said on Thursday, that he was unlikely to make any major free-agent signings before Opening Day. Additionally, he has repeatedly downplayed the rumors they were close to signing Drew, who turned down an one-year $14.1 million deal from Boston and would cost the Mets a third rounder.
The Mets GM also said Friday, that he has very little room left in his payroll budget which he estimated to be somewhere between $85 to $88 million.
“We are within the small margin of where we are going to be I think, and we are ready to go.”
I’m not ruling anything out at this point…
If the Mets were to get Drew for one year and a team option, and for about $10 million, it would be a major coup for Sandy Alderson.
