Red Sox Sign JD Drew; 5-years / 70 million

[Passion]

Theo Epstein will be holding a pre-winter meetings conference call in a minute or two but there are a couple of items worth mentioning.

 

One is that the J.D. Drew deal is not going to become finalized before the start of the winter meetings and when it does, it will be a four-year guaranteed deal worth $14 million. A fifth year is likely to be included but as an option year.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/redSox/?p=758

[TheDon]

There won't be many Dodger fans shedding tears over the loss of JD this winter.

[Guest FishFanInPA]

I wholeheartedly question this signing.

[SongInTheAir]

way.too.much.money.

[Guest Juanky]

That reads like 4/14 with a possible 5th, and that sounds like a STEAL for the Red Sox.

 

However, if it's 4/56 with a possible 5th, that contract sucks.

[Eddie Altamonte]

JD Drew makes sense in Boston he should do well in that ballpark power-wise. He is as fragile as Trot Nixon. He would do better in Boston than anywhere else

[bobbob1313]

That reads like 4/14 with a possible 5th, and that sounds like a STEAL for the Red Sox.

 

However, if it's 4/56 with a possible 5th, that contract sucks.

 

Thats what I'm thinking. Thats worded poorly.

[Passion]

That reads like 4/14 with a possible 5th, and that sounds like a STEAL for the Red Sox.

 

However, if it's 4/56 with a possible 5th, that contract sucks.

In what way?

 

The Red Sox got tremendous value (Best RFer in the NL last year) especially in this inflated market. He's getting the money that would have gone to Damon except he's a better all-around player in every way and Damon signed his deal last year, in a less expensive market.

 

If he stays healthy, this is a great contract. A big if for sure but he's worth it healthy.

[SongInTheAir]

it isn't 4/14. i read somewhere earlier that he was looking for 14 million per year, so this would be 4/14 per.

[TSwift25]

That reads like 4/14 with a possible 5th, and that sounds like a STEAL for the Red Sox.

 

However, if it's 4/56 with a possible 5th, that contract sucks.

In what way?

 

The Red Sox got tremendous value (Best RFer in the NL last year) especially in this inflated market. He's getting the money that would have gone to Damon except he's a better all-around player in every way and Damon signed his deal last year, in a less expensive market.

 

If he stays healthy, this is a great contract. A big if for sure but he's worth it healthy.

 

In what way:

 

How about the guy has never been an all-star, never played in 150 games in a single season, or 250 in consecutive seasons, and has bettered 30 homers only once.

 

For that kind of money, you want a sure thing, not a "could be."

[Guest Juanky]

If he stays healthy, this is a great contract. A big if for sure but he's worth it healthy.

That's the thing. Too big of an if in my book.

[The_Punisher]

I love this signing. This signing will add major punch to an already strong potent lineup. GOOD JOB!

[PBCMarlinsFan]

If he stays healthy, this is a great contract. A big if for sure but he's worth it healthy.

That's the thing. Too big of an if in my book.

 

Though I wouldn't care to have Drew in a Marlins uniform at a cost anywhere approaching this contract, this is a better signing than a number of those made this offseason. Matthews and Eaton come to mind immediately.

[FutureGM]

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

It would be a HUGE mistake for the Sox to sign Drew and then dump Manny. Manny is close to two times better than Drew.

[ultimopain]

I question Drew's motivation now that he has a big contract. He's reknowned as someone who doesn't try properly if he's not motivated... I wish I had the link to the article I read about him last month. Sure, he had a good year this year, but he probably knew he was always going to leave LA to get a better payday. I could be wrong, but this could be a bust of epic proportions.

[bobbob1313]

Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

It would be a HUGE mistake for the Sox to sign Drew and then dump Manny. Manny is close to two times better than Drew.

 

This is a guy with a career .905 OPS who creates 7.25 runs per nine innings and plays some pretty good defense.

 

Manny is not 2 times better than him. If he had an 1.810 OPS and created 14.5 runs per nine, he'd be Babe Ruth in his best year, and thats for his career. He's not 2 times better than him. He's better, but it's not a huge amount, and I'll take Drew + the prospect they'll likely get for Manny over just Manny, if Push comes to shove.

[TheDon]

You have to seriously question the mindset of any ballplayer who played a critical role in a play where 2 Dodgers got thrown out at home plate on a ball hit over the right fielders head during a PLAYOFF game.

[Iowa]

14 million dollars.. lol

 

 

By the looks of his career stats, hes due for an injury this season.

[Shamrock]

Either way this is a very risky deal for reasons already mentioned, but also has potential for huge rewards (ala dumping manny for SP/CL+). If he's in CF the risks/benefits are each increased.

[Jimmy42Jack0]

terrible signing...if they wanted a rf who would play in only half their games this year they could have resigned nixon for much less

[Eddie Altamonte]

terrible signing...if they wanted a rf who would play in only half their games this year they could have resigned nixon for much less

Jimmy he is Trot Nixon!

[Junior]

Terrible signing.

[Passion]

Terrible signing.

Anything to add/back up that post or was it just a +1 to the 'ole post count?

 

That reads like 4/14 with a possible 5th, and that sounds like a STEAL for the Red Sox.

 

However, if it's 4/56 with a possible 5th, that contract sucks.

In what way?

 

The Red Sox got tremendous value (Best RFer in the NL last year) especially in this inflated market. He's getting the money that would have gone to Damon except he's a better all-around player in every way and Damon signed his deal last year, in a less expensive market.

 

If he stays healthy, this is a great contract. A big if for sure but he's worth it healthy.

 

In what way:

 

How about the guy has never been an all-star, never played in 150 games in a single season, or 250 in consecutive seasons, and has bettered 30 homers only once.

 

For that kind of money, you want a sure thing, not a "could be."

I like the made up benchmarks that you just stated. What are those, the Swiftmetrics?

 

I'd say being the best player at your position last year in a league isn't a "could be".

[The Fan]

Red Sox going all out this offseason with the spending. I wonder what their payroll will be at opening day.

[Passion]

It will be close to/under the luxury tax threshold because of Henry's personal feelings and his relationship with Selig. The Sox will do what they can to stay under that number.