Stephen Drew to 2B?
- Thread starter GovClintonTyree
- Start date
jpx7
Very Flirtatious, but Doubts What Love Is.
Well posts like this certainly aren't helping raise the level of discourse right now.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Lol. Ok buddy. Then don't? Yes, every thread will have people with different opinions and people that don't like certain decisions. Welcome to the internet.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
If he signs for $2 million or something in that range (+/- 25%) it would be tolerable. But I can't say that I am particularly buoyant at the prospects of this particular Drew being a Brave.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Sure, if he signs a 1-year deal for a small amount, no complaints.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
Don't get me wrong. I think we're on the same side on this one. He was miserable in 2014 and pretty bad in 2011 and 2012. He had an uptick in 2013, but I think the trendline has been established.
To me, it would have to be a one-year deal.
I agree -- although that seems highly unlikely given that his agent, predictably, is Boras.
http://nesn.com/2014/10/scott-boras-stephen-drew-best-defensive-shortstop-in-free-agency/
“Everybody knows about the free-agent shortstop market,” Boras said. “Clearly, Stephen Drew is the best defensive shortstop and he has pop.”
The most useful tidbit I take away from this news is that the Braves probably will not be starting Peraza at 2B to begin the season. Outside of Stephen Drew, who else is available?
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
I'd rather start Goose. Drew was dreadful last year.
jpx7
Very Flirtatious, but Doubts What Love Is.
I think that's what makes it difficult to assess this potential acquisition, within the context of this specific offseason especially: if Drew is a seen as a short-term stop-gap at second, and around the infield—a low-salary lottery-ticket, should he substantially rebuild his value, whether the return is at midseason or after (were he to rebound enough to merit QO stature)—then it could be a pretty thrifty, nifty notion. But if he's paid anywhere close to what he made last year, and if a lot of weight is placed on his prior, much better years (as a short-stop) when negotiating a contract, it'd seem unnecessarily risky, not to mention plenty incongruous with the rest of the offseason moves heretofore.
I also think that's what's made discussing any offseason rumor or move fairly difficult, as well as a bit acrimonious quite often: presuming (at least for this post) that Hart et al have a clear and cogent plan for this offseason, it's still ultimately fairly opaque to all of us (especially as concerns 2015). As a result, posters are bound to have wildly differing opinions about the viability and advisability of most transactions, whether actual or potential.
Drew is an elite defender that would give us a rock solid middle infield.
Gosselin is a utility player on a good day.
I'd rather see Peraza, all things equal.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
It's very unlikely. The Drew family, while all quite accomplished as baseball players, does not have a shortage of self-esteem. They've shown themselves willing to go to whatever wall is handy to get what they believe they are worth or to play in a city in which they would prefer to play.
I'm with you on Gosselin. I think he had a nice little run for us, but he's a utility guy. Could be a pretty good 25th guy depending on the composition of the rest of the bench.
yeezus
It's OVER 5,000!
Cannot afford another .600 OPS guy in the lineup.
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
It is not the best time to be a Braves fan. Why are people acting like negativity is so unusual? Every Braves site is rife with it. Just like a major loss, it takes a little time to get over it. And that is just one game. This is a little bigger, so will take more time. I personally find the level of negativity here FAR below the internet norm for a Braves site right now. Keep up the good work, guys!
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
As for Drew, at least he will nail the defensive side of things at 2B. Simmons and Drew is a nasty little combo. And, as we established with the recent Heyward deal, perhaps defense is more important than many think. It will also save a year and some money with Peraza, which could be a good thing come 2020 or so.
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
Yep. It's a normal cycle.
Dalyn
Fredi Gonzalez Supporter
This would also allow Gosselin to play a more traditional utility role, which is a good thing.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
I hope people don't think I'm being particularly negative. I didn't like the Heyward deal, but I didn't loathe it like some. I think Miller and Jenkins could be decent return (and I always held my breath when Walden entered the game--especially mid-inning with a runner on). So I'm past that, but can certainly understand how the deal has hung with a lot of folks and left a foul distaste in their mouths.
It's everything that has happened since that has me a bit puzzled. I think Markakis is a decent player, but he's on the wrong side of 30 and we went at least a year longer than I believe they should have on length of contract. I don't have a big problem with the Johnson signing. If you inflation adjust what we gave to Tanyon Sturtze to never pitch an inning for us, it's probably not too far off. But I think a case can be made that the money could have been used elsewhere. Maybe I'm just down on the Drew family (although I think J.D. Drew was a helluva ballplayer when his temperature didn't spike all the way up to 98.7 and put him out of action), but Stephen Drew really does nothing for me.
I made the comparison earlier in the off-season and I know I sound like a broken record when talking about the local nine up here in Minnesota, but the Twins are known for making these moves that produce the appearance of seriousness after unloading a star player. Tom Kelly would say things like "the fans deserve to see a representative ballclub of major league players and not a bunch of guys who are in the midst of on-the-job training." Maybe it's just because I've been through so many rebuilds as a Braves' fan that I believe one more won't kill me, but I would have just as soon seen us clear the decks and lose 100 games in an attempt to build a foundation of a winning team. But that's just me.
