UPDATE - SS - Stephen Drew

Because of the draft pick stipulation — plus the added variable of his agent, Scott Boras — Stephen Drew is without a team as February comes knocking. Drew is a shortstop, and there are definitely teams with needs at the position; the number of teams with a consistently producing shortstop is in the minority. Without even leaving the northeast, there are three teams with need for a player like Drew. The New York Mets seem to be the most logical fit, with Ruben Tejada currently at the top of their shortstop depth chart. The Yankees could use him in a platoon with the diminishing talent and aging Derek Jeter. The Red Sox could use him as a utility infielder and insurance in case Xander Bogaerts isn’t as ready as the 2013 postseason suggested. But he hasn’t been offered a contract.

Read more at http://throughthefencebaseball.com/stephen-drew-still-searching/40961#965vkWA8cs26Vqm6.99


Update - 12:01am -

• Mets GM Sandy Alderson said that the team is unlikely to sign shortstop Stephen Drew, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Though this is not the first time he has given such an indication, Alderson said he had only had "sporadic" talks with Drew's agent, Scott Boras. Of course, neither did he close the door on Drew. "We haven't ruled it out, but I think doing anything is unlikely," said Alderson. "... I know there's been a lot of speculation about Drew and the Mets, but at this point, that's what it remains -- speculation." 
• Alderson likewise said that New York was not enamored with the possibility of giving out a big league deal for a free agent reliever. New York has recently been linked with closer Fernando Rodney and reportedly made a legitimate run at Grant Balfour before he signed with the Rays. "Acquiring someone with some experience would give us some comfort going into Spring Training, but we don't want to preclude some of our younger pitchers from getting a solid opportunity either," Alderson explained. "So if there's somebody there that we like, we'll pursue them. Otherwise, one of the ways we've approached starting pitching, for example, is to bring in a couple of guys on minor league contracts and have them compete with some of our own internal candidates. We may do the same thing with the bullpen."

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/