The Boston Red Sox have signed short stop Stephen Drew to a one-year contract for the remainder of the 2014 season.
During the offseason Drew turned down the Red Sox $14.1 million qualifying offer. He will now earn the prorated portion of that, or roughly $10 million.
Drew, 31, had remained unsigned as he was tied to draft pick compensation. A reported four teams were interested in Drew as the 2014 amateur draft approached.
The Red Sox are going to start Drew at shorststop going forward as Xander Bogaerts will slide over to third base. Will Middlebrooks is going to the bench for the time being.
Currently the Red Sox are planning to have Drew play in 7-10 minor league games but if all goes well that timetable could be changed.
This is our understanding: Drew will go on the active roster Wednesday but will go play in the minors for 7-10 days.
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) May 20, 2014
A season ago Drew appeared in 124 games for the Red Sox hitting .253/.333/.443 with 13 home runs and 67 RBI. One bonus for next season is that Drew will not be tied to draft pick compensation.
