Mets Still In On Stephen Drew

A few days ago, Sandy Alderson told reporters that there would likely have to be some kind of “payroll manipulation” in order for the Mets to sign another player this offseason who will command close to what Curtis Granderson will be paid next year ($13 million dollars).

Alderson’s comment seemed to intimate that the Mets were unlikely to land free agent shortstop Stephen Drew (and that may still be the case), but Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says that the Mets are still interested in the 30 year old Drew:

Thoughts:

Most think that the Mets have roughly $15 million more to spend this offseason, and signing Drew would eat up a large chunk of that.

Oct 30, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew hits a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning during game six of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

However, the Mets are currently attempting to deal Ike Davis (who will make roughly $4 million in 2014), and Daniel Murphy (who will make a bit more than $5 million in 2014).

If the Mets deal Davis and/or Murphy, depending on the players they take back, they could be adding another chunk of money to spend on external acquisitions.

Fellow free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta signed a four year deal with St. Louis worth $53 million, and most felt that Drew would get a similar deal.  His market, though, has been slow to develop and appears thin.

At present, it seems that the team that has the most interest in Drew is the Red Sox.  However, there have been rumors that the Red Sox won’t give Drew more than two years.  If the Mets were to offer three years, perhaps this thing could get done.

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