MLB Rumors: Stephen Drew Agrees to One-Year Deal with Washington
The Washington Nationals reportedly have agreed to add infielder Stephen Drew to their roster in a deal worth $3 million for one year.
The 32-year-old is a well-experienced Major League player who comes in with a career hitting average of .251. He had his best year as a pro in 2013 when he played and was part of the Boston Red Sox that won the World Series that year.
In Drew, the Nationals now have a reliable utility infielder in the middle. According to reports, he also will earn an additional $1.25 million in incentives based on his performance, and that's on top of the one-year contract. The 32-year-old has played both shortstop and second baseman during his stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, and the New York Yankees. He comes from a baseball family with his two brothers also playing in the major leagues.
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But Drew hasn't really batted well in the past two seasons. He's just .185//257/.347 in 728 plate appearances. However, he was able to produce 17 home runs in just 131 games with New York last season, a number that a lot of teams would certainly be interested in.
He took several observers by surprise when he declined a $14 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox, and then he followed it up with a subpar performance both for Boston and New York. He was acquired at the trade deadline back in 2014.
The team now has a virtually complete infield, with Ryan Zimmerman in first base, Daniel Murphy at second, Trea Turner as shortstop, and Anthony Rendon placed at third. Drew will then serve as a backup in all those positions except the first.
But the major concern for the Nationals is Drew's health. He was out of action during the last part of last season when he complained about dizziness. It was later revealed that he was suffering from vestibular concussion. He went to see a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh and appears to be already in perfect condition.
