All they want for Christmas is a new deal.
John Farrell has said multiple times this offseason that the Red Sox would like to re-sign Stephen Drew. The Boston skipper maintained that stance Thursday, saying that both the Sox and Drew would like to continue their relationship in 2014.
“Both sides would like to see this come together,” Farrell said on WEEI’s Hot Stove Show. “But at the same time, as we all know, he’s looking to see what best opportunities would be out there for him.”
The Red Sox’ continued interest in re-signing Drew comes despite the club trading for infielder Jonathan Herrera earlier this week. Herrera, who has experience at shortstop, second base and third base, should add some bench versatility to Boston’s roster, but Drew is a legitimate major league starter who is coming off a strong 2013 season.
“We felt like there was the need to — and [general manager Ben Cherington] was very clear on this — about adding to the left inside of the infield, regardless of whether or not Stephen Drew signs with us,” Farrell said Thursday. “With [Xander] Bogaerts and [Will] Middlebrooks on the left side of the infield, there was still the need for experience particularly at the shortstop position.
“Herrera, this is a guy that’s played all over the infield. We like him from the left side a little bit better — he’s had better performance as a left-handed hitter. He is a switch-hitter, but better from the left side. We feel like with all the other right-handed infielders, it’s a good complement to those who are already here. At the same time, if things fall a certain way with Stephen Drew, it doesn’t prohibit us from adding Drew as well.”
Drew continues to seek a multiyear deal in free agency, but the shortstop’s market has been slow to develop, largely because of the draft pick attached to him by virtue of Boston’s qualifying offer at the beginning of the offseason. Reports have indicated that the Red Sox don’t want to sign Drew for more than two years.
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