Report: Red Sox Have Interest in Stephen Drew as One-Year Stopgap at Shortstop

Since Nomar Garciaparra was traded midway through the 2004 World Series championship season, the Red Sox haven’t been able to maintain a starting shortstop for more than a season or two at a time. They could be looking for another one-year rental to start the 2012 season.

The Red Sox are interested in Stephen Drew as a one-year stopgap, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Boston had Drew’s brother, J.D., for five seasons from 2007 to 2011. Some fans may remember Drew’s Red Sox tenure for his injuries, but he posted an impressive .824 OPS during his five-year stretch with the Sox.

The younger Drew would keep the shortstop position warm until either Jose Iglesias or Xander Bogaerts develop, according to Stark. Iglesias spent 2012 split between Pawtucket and Boston. He hit .118 in Boston with a .391 OPS in 68 at bats. He hit .269 with a .631 OPS in the minors.

Bogaerts is further off that Iglesias, but he has a much more promising bat. He split his 2012 season between Single-A Salem and Double-A Portland, hitting .307 with a .896 OPS total. He had 20 home runs, 81 RBIs and five stolen bases. Bogaerts is expected to start the 2013 season in Portland.

Drew struggled in 2012, batting .223 with a .657 OPS in 79 games with the Diamondbacks and Athletics. His best season came in 2010 when he had a .278 average and an .810 OPS with 15 home runs and 61 RBIs in Arizona.

Since Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs, the Red Sox have notably started Pokey Reese, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez, Julio Lugo, Nick Green, Marco Scutaro, Jed Lowrie and Mike Aviles at the position. Drew may not bring longevity to the position, but he could be a stable presence until the prospects are ready.

Photo via Wikipedia/Stephen Drew