12/03/24
April 16, 2014
Steinbrenner: We Don't Need Stephen Drew: New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said the team's infield injuries have not changed his mind about signing free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, who's looking for a multi-year deal at $14 million per year. "I'm pretty content with our infield right now," he said. "I think guys like Anna and Solarte have been pleasant surprises." David Lennon of Newsday writes, "The Yankees are playing a dangerous game with their lack of infield depth. "But it's only mid-April, and the Yankees seem to be banking on the best-case scenario for their hurting infield."
If Drew gets the $14M per year he wants, then good luck to him. I somehow feel he is rather overvaluing himself. True, he has a very reliable glove, excellent range, and good arm, but do not his deficiencies with the bat, especially against left-handed pitching make his total package worth somewhat less than what he wants?. Scott Boras has been using Drew as a test case to get rid of the rule that requires the forfeiture of a draft pick for signing a tendered free agent. If Drew comes out behind on the deal, does Boras make up whatever difference there might be in compensation? I don't begrudge anything Drew might merit, but he is allowing himself to be used as a pawn by Boras. Boras is interested in increasing his own earnings potential and is doing so by claiming it is doing a good thing for all players.
posted by Howard_T at 03:04 PM on April 16, 2014
I think grum's hit the problem, though Drew seems valuable enough that a draft pick might be worth two extra months of Drew. Drew was worth 3.4 WAR last year, about 0.6 WAR / month. Is a draft pick + $12 million or so (assuming Drew wants around $14 million and a sandwich pick would cost ~$2 million) really worth more for all 31 29 teams?
posted by yerfatma at 03:48 PM on April 16, 2014
When was the expansion?
posted by Scottymac at 06:43 PM on April 17, 2014
I always count the PawSox.
posted by yerfatma at 09:36 AM on April 18, 2014
When the restriction of having to give up a draft pick to sign him in disappears (the June amateur draft), then I think you'll see teams line up to sign Drew.