Major League teams searching for a starting shortstop saw a prime option plucked off the free agent market on Thursday when it was reported that the Miami Marlins reached a one-year deal with 36-year-old Rafael Furcal. That leaves Stephen Drew as the top free agent shortstop as the Winter Meetings are set to begin next week.
Though Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal wrote that Furcal will serve as the Marlins everyday second baseman, he would have likely remained at shortstop had he signed elsewhere.
The 30-year-old Drew, who is represented by Scott Boras, declined Boston’s $14.1 million qualifying offer after batting .253 with 13 home runs, 67 RBI, eight triples and a .777 OPS in 501 plate appearances for the Red Sox. Drew’s above average defense – he was second among all American League shortstops with a .984 fielding percentage and third in range factor at 4.10 – was a key part of Boston’s World Series title.
Since Drew turned down Boston’s qualifying offer, any team that signs him must sacrifice a draft pick, which is apparently making him less appealing on the free agent market.
According to media reports, Boston extended a two-year contract offer to Drew at less than the $14.1 million annual salary that he turned down in the qualifying offer.
Red Sox officials have said they would like to re-sign Drew, and that could happen if the Red Sox prefer to station Xander Bogaerts at third base instead of shortstop.
The Yankees are a potential destination, though they did recently ink versatile infielder Brendan Ryan to a deal. The light-hitting Ryan is primarily known for his defense, and the Yankees need insurance since Derek Jeter is 39 and attempting to return from an ankle injury.
The New York Mets need a shortstop, but they are reportedly not interested in surrendering a draft pick to sign him.
If teams remain unwilling to sign Drew because he is tied to losing a draft pick, he could return to the Red Sox on a one-year deal with a stipulation that the club does not make him a qualifying offer after the 2014 campaign.
