Heyman: Red Sox Or Mets Most Likely Destination For Stephen Drew, But Yankees Make The Most Sense
BOSTON (CBS) - Free agent shortstop Stephen Drew is still looking for work.
In 2013 in his first year with the Red Sox Drew hit a very respectable .253 in the regular season.
However, the postseason was a different story.
Drew reached base just 8 times in October and struck out on 19 occasions. His poor postseason performance coupled with the emergence of prospect Xander Bogaerts was enough for Red Sox fans to show him the door - but apparently the door is still open for his return.
Baseball insider Jon Heyman of CBS Sports joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Gresh & Zolak program Tuesday afternoon and the potential suitors for Drew are still just two teams.
"The Red Sox and the Mets are the most logical teams. I haven't heard from other teams lately," said Heyman. "The Mets are probably the most logical team because they don't have a shortstop. They've got Ruben Tejada who's a utility guy. Boston has an alternative, they love Bogaerts. I think Boston has a good chance of signing Drew based on what's happened this week and the money that's been freed up."
Heyman is of course referring to pitcher Ryan Dempster and his decision to leave the team after just one season. The 36-year-old is not feeling right physically and wants to spend more time with his family. Walking away means he forfeits the $13 million owed to him in 2014 and helps distance the team from the luxury tax threshold.
Jon Heyman credits Dempster for making a tough life decision like that and believes it could help get something done with Jon Lester in terms of a contract extension, who at $15 million per year is "underpaid" in Heyman's eyes.
In looking across the division to the rival Yankees, Heyman is surprised by how Derek Jeter announced his retirement. Jeter took to Facebook to say he will retire at the conclusion of the 2014 season. But at the same time, Heyman is not surprised by the decision given Jeter's age and ankle.
How the ankle will hold up over the course of a 162-game season remains to be seen, and that uncertainty is why Jon Heyman thinks the Yankees, who at this point have not been in serious talks with Drew's agent Scott Boras, make the most sense for the veteran infielder.
Listen below for the full discussion:
Where Will Stephen Drew Land?
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