With Xander Bogaerts pushing for time as their starting third baseman next season, the Boston Red Sox might be willing to retain shortstop Stephen Drew.
A free agent, Drew, 30, rejected a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer. He's seeking a multi-year contract, likely three or four years, through handler Scott Boras.
Teams have been reluctant to reach an accord for Drew's services. While his defense and his regular-season hitting were good, his postseason plate performance was lousy. General managers would have to play hardball with Boras for a player they might see as overpriced.
There are rational notions behind re-signing Drew, the Boston Herald notes. For one, his defense is glue for the left side of the infield, and he forms a solid double-play combination with second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
It's the first attribute that might appeal most of the Sox. Bogaerts is 21 and would use a mentor and defensive complement in what could be his first season as a starter. Will Middlebrooks figures to push Bogaerts — he is the incumbent at third after all — but his middlin' 2013 season has the Sox looking for more. Ergo, Bogaerts.
Drew's marketability is limited by factors not including Boras. For one, a team signing him likely would forfeit a first-round MLB draft pick to the Sox. And teams have visions of Michael Wacha dancing in their heads when they see a top selection flying away.
Reports earlier this fall of multiple teams interested in Drew have yet to prove truth. And with a number of shortstops on the market teams might be interested in less expensive alternatives.
Drew and the Red Sox? That's a viable option.
Drew might not be alone in returning to the BoSox. The team also has alternative offers prepared for Mike Napoli, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Boston radio station WEEI reports.