Drew will immediately take over at shortstop for Boston
The Boston Red Sox have reached an agreement with free-agent shortstop Stephen Drew on a one-year $9.5 million deal.
The deal includes $500,000 in performance incentives.
Iglesias possesses a major league ready glove, but has struggled offensively, hitting just .118 in 60 at-bats for Boston last year.
The Red Sox also have Pedro Ciriaco who emerged as a major leaguer in 2012, but will likely serve in a utility role in 2013.
Drew is the brother of former Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew.
Drew hit .223/.309/.348 with seven homers in 327 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks and Athletics.
Injuries have limited Drew to 165 games over the past two seasons.
Drew’s best year offensively came in 2008, when he hit .291/.333/.502 and an OPS of .836 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI.
Last year SS Mike Aviles hit .250 with 13 home runs and 60 RBI for the Red Sox.
Aviles was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of the deal that allowed John Farrell to return to Boston.
The Red Sox previously agreed to free-agent deals this winter with Shane Victorino, Ryan Dempster, David Ross, Koji Uehara, Jonny Gomes and Mike Napoli.
The team has shown a willingness throughout the off-season to pay higher salaries on shorter-term deals with available free agents.
More Red Sox News
The Red Sox are still negotiating with former Rangers catcher Napoli.
Napoli was signed to a three-year $39 million deal, contingent on passing a physical, which he apparently failed.
The two sides are working out protective language in the contract that relates to Napoli’s injury situation. Technically, Naopli remains a free agent.
