MLB Rumors: Stephen Drew Drawing Interest From 6 Teams Including Yankees, Dodgers, Mets And Orioles

Considered by many to be one of the top positional free agents heading into the MLB offseason, shortstop Stephen Drew was expected to garner loads of attention from clubs interested in solidifying the left side of their infield. While numerous teams including the Red Sox, Mariners, Blue Jays, Mets and Yankees have all inquired about what it would take to sign the 30-year-old earlier in the winter, the 2013 World Series champion remains on the open market just weeks before the start of the 2014 Major League Baseball season. Though multiple teams have been unsuccessful in signing the shortstop, many of the familiar faces remain key players in the Stephen Drew sweepstakes now that Spring Training has begun.

According to multiple sources, the former Arizona Diamondbacks and Oakland Athletics shortstop is drawing serious interest from at least 6 MLB teams including the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets. The Yankees have been looking to upgrade at the shortstop position due to the increased age, health and eventual retirement of Derek Jeter while the Mets and Dodgers have needs at the position as well. Despite Hanley Ramirez holding down to the shortstop position in Los Angeles, Dodgers higher-ups continue to follow the situation around Drew because he’d be able to provide the club with depth and insurance should something happen to Ramirez and rising talent Alex Guerrero, who the club hopes to see develop into a strong second baseman.

While the Dodgers and Yankees remain in the hunt, the New York Mets hold a significant need for a shortstop as well. Once-promising talent Ruben Tejada hasn’t been able to produce the way the Mets organization hoped he would, appearing in only 57 games last season while batting a down .202 following a 2012 campaign that saw him bat .287. Though Drew is not known for his offensive ability – hitting a mediocre .253 with 13 home runs and 67 RBI last season in Boston – his defensive skills are spectacular and he won’t hurt you at the plate, a skillset the Mets could surely use. GM Sandy Alderson has already proved he’s willing to spend in order to make the Mets relevant once again and the acquisition of Stephen Drew would further prove that point.

In addition to the Yankees, Mets and Dodgers, the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox remain interested as well. The Sox were smart enough to make a qualifying offer of just over $14 million during the early part of the offseason and even though Drew previously declined that figure, the defending champions won’t lose anything because of that proposal if they elect to bring him back.