Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell has made it clear that he’d welcome back shortstop Stephen Drew with open arms.
Farrell said Wednesday on WEEI’s “Dennis & Callahan” that he’s preparing for life without Drew, who remains a free agent, but he’s open to switching things up if Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and Co. agree to a deal with the veteran shortstop.
“If [Drew] were to come back, that kind of adjusts where our plans are today,” Farrell said. “But the thing that really stood out to us last year — and probably one of the main reasons we ended up being champions — is the depth of our roster. And any time you can add quality major league players to your roster, you’re going to be better off.
“Yeah, I was on record very clearly in support of Stephen Drew. He’s a darn good player. And if I don’t support or like my players — and I like the team we have right now — but I’ve got to show that support.”
Drew was solid for the Red Sox last season, hitting .253 with 13 homers and 67 RBIs in 124 regular-season games while consistently providing steady defense up the middle. The Red Sox offered Drew a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer at the beginning of free agency, but the 30-year-old rejected the proposal in an attempt to land a multiyear contract on the open market.
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