J.D. Drew's problem: Sox think it's physical
J.D. Drew, who has averaged 40 missed games a season in the big leagues (50 in his two years with the Dodgers), has taken infirmity a step further. Now he's got some kind of injury in the offseason.
It seems to be holding up the signing of the rich new contract that will move Drew from the Dodgers to the Boston Red Sox. He's their problem now.
Here are two articles out of Boston.
Boston Herald, MondaySox patient on Drew
By Michael SilvermanSome kind of issue with J.D. Drew's health appears to be delaying the final announcement of the free agent outfielder’s new deal with the Red Sox, but the ballclub does not sound overly concerned.
“We’re working with the language on the deal with (Drew’s agent Scott) Boras and we’re expecting to get it done early in the week,” said general manager Theo Epstein yesterday.
As reported in Saturday’s Herald [below], indications are that Drew’s physical with the team last week raised a red flag. Neither Epstein nor Boras would confirm a Globe report that Drew was to get a second opinion on his shoulder today.
Drew took his physical here a week ago, around the same time as free agent Julio Lugo. The shortstop’s contract was announced a couple of days later but Drew’s has been held up, with both sides consistently referring to “language” issues concerning the five-year, $70 million deal.
The Red Sox are counting on Drew playing right or center field and hitting fifth.Boston Herald, Saturday
Drew mystery may have found answer
By Tony MassarottiThe Red Sox continued to make noise yesterday, which makes their silence all the more curious. And when it comes to outfielder J.D. Drew, the Red Sox are saying decidedly little.
The reason?
There appears to have been a problem with the player’s physical exam.While Sox officials and Drew’s agent, Scott Boras, have been playing word games, indications are that Drew’s recent physical with the team has raised a red flag. For example, the Sox still have not announced Drew’s signing despite the fact that nearly two weeks have passed since Boras stood in a Florida hotel lobby and announced that the team and his client had agreed on a five-year, $70 million contract.
The precise hang-up is unclear. Drew has had a series of ailments and injuries during his career, from a broken wrist to a bad knee to a sore shoulder. Trying to pinpoint one problematic area is virtually impossible. Mention Drew’s health to anyone connected with the Sox these days and you get responses that are straight out of the Dan Duquette era.
For instance:
Is there a reason the Drew deal has not been announced?
We’re working on language issues in the contract.
So he passed the physical?
We’re working on language issues in the contract.
Of course, in a contract, “language issues” are critical. The wording means everything. And depending on what precise physical problem the Sox have stumbled upon, the likelihood is that the sides are “working on language” to give the Sox some recourse if and when the problem becomes serious.
Does that mean the Red Sox are backing out of this deal?
No.
It just means they are probably in the process of protecting themselves. ...
After all, Drew’s deal has been in place even longer than that of Julio Lugo, whose arrival in Boston was formalized earlier this week.
Red Sox officials and Boras have insisted that nothing out of the ordinary has been taking place, yet neither have answered the simplest question: Did Drew pass his physical or didn’t he?