JD Drew

by TheFranchise9 on Nov 9, 2006 9:30 PM EST

I just read that J.D. Drew opted out of his final three years in LA. He was going to get 33 million, so it is very surprising that he would pass that up. Can he really expect 11 million per at this point? Seems like some behind the scene issues.

Made me wonder with STL needing an OFer and a #2 hitter, would it be worth pursuing a reunion with Drew and STL??? And if so, how much is he worth these days?

I know he's a huge injury risk, but maybe no more than Edmonds at this stage.

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

In St Louis he had a rap

as a shirker and a sissy. i would be very surprised if he came back.

by Zubin on Nov 9, 2006 9:25 PM EST reply actions

no

no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no.

seriously, no.

by Fitz on Nov 9, 2006 9:44 PM EST reply actions

drew definately

isnt worth what he thinks he is, which is apparently more than 11 mil per season

by PGeorge @ Viva El Birdos on Nov 9, 2006 9:44 PM EST reply actions

In a world where Carlos Lee

is worth a 5 year, $70 million deal, JD Drew would be a colossal bargain at $11M a year.

The guy played 145 games two seasons out of the last three, and the other one was a fluke injury. His OBP is over .400 the last three seasons, and he's a plus defender. His reputation as a "sissy" and a "shirker" was product of St. Louis's braindead media; some guys are just injury prone and he walked too much and didn't look hustle-y enough to overcome that.

The Cardinals would be insane not to at least look into it.

by DanUpBaby on Nov 9, 2006 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

colossal bargian

might be overstating it, but I just looked at drew's numbers and didn't realize how good hes been the past few seasons.

but I still say giving drew a big, long term contract with his injury history is foolish, especially considering management is balking at picking up edmonds $7M option.

by PGeorge @ Viva El Birdos on Nov 9, 2006 10:42 PM EST up reply actions

Totally agree...

His number one comparable at baseball reference is Jim Edmonds.

I don't think his skills will erode too much before age 35... and in a year or two a 5yr/$70mm contract will look pretty good. We could put him right and trade Enc for a similarly overpaid number 5 starter...

by guayzimi on Nov 9, 2006 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

completely agree

He's a plus defender and a great offensive talent. I wouldn't mind a second go around but I doubt that he comes back. He's liable to sign a very large contract for someone though.

Acquire Jason Schmidt!

by azruavatar on Nov 9, 2006 10:48 PM EST up reply actions

maybe...

he'd take $11M to play for another team.

o8o88o888o

by ilillillli on Nov 9, 2006 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

I'd pay him $11m to play for another team

He makes Juan-Boy look like Willy Mays. Please don't even consider it.

go crazy folks..........

by wwbd on Nov 9, 2006 10:09 PM EST reply actions

He is going to want more money

he saw a weak free agent market, the probability that free agents are going to be way overpaid. He should command at least 11 million and probably a couple million more than that. I think the Cardinals would be stupid not to look into J.D. as a possible outfielder for them, having that OBP in front of Albert would be a huge boost for this team.

by Frerken on Nov 9, 2006 10:12 PM EST reply actions

Drew

The Cards aren't going to give Drew $11 million + to come back here, especially now that there are reports of Edmonds coming back for $20 million over the next 2 years.

"I only am who I am because I was born that way. I have a gift and I'm trying to not be selfish about it, but to use it, OK? Jealousy will get you nowhere!"

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Nov 10, 2006 8:21 AM EST reply actions

3 Nights in August

Everyone remember the words TLR had for Drew in his book?

I would be highly shocked if Drew even listened to an offer from St. Louis. TLR was pretty harsh on him as a career underachiever who was too lazy to achieve his amazingly high potential.

I suppose there have been other cases of forgiveness with Tavarez and Bennett coming to the Cards, but their spats with the Cards were as opposing players and they were given relatively minor roles compared to an everyday outfielder.

He's been an absolute stud since getting out of St. Louis, but I just don't see any way that happens.

by mtalken on Nov 10, 2006 1:03 PM EST reply actions

I think the words were more like

"Drew is a lazy hick who has already earned enough money to buy the town he was from, so how do you motivate the guy? Something something next joe dimaggio, something something faking injuries, albert pujols is god and I got lucky by riskig his career to win a game".

Definitely burned the bridge with that book though. Whoever we sign to replace him needs to have a "no autobiography" clause in his contract.

2006 stl cardinals - all of the glory, none of the goat hair.

by SleepyCA on Nov 10, 2006 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad

that it seems that bridges seem to have been burned between JD and TLR, JD and Cardinal fans, etc. Yes, he was injury prone and seemed to not want to play through pain while with the Cards, but he has played 140+ game seasons since then. It would be nice to have someone with his hitting ability in the 2-hole. But, even if bridges hadn't been burned, we probably wouldn't be able to meet the salary offers that he's likely to get.

by ArkansasTravs on Nov 10, 2006 3:05 PM EST reply actions

Interesting but no

It may be harsh but I vividly remember JD pulling up on balls in the outfield and (seemingly) lazily watching strike three blow by with one out and runners on third. Whether it is his "laid back" personality or my own bias I would rather see Dunc screw up a fly all out then watch JD glide threw the season...

Just personal preference

by Lawless on Nov 10, 2006 7:57 PM EST reply actions

I can't believe this is even being discussed

How anyone who remembers being a Cards fan when Drew was on the team could possibly want him back is beyond me. He is the most infuriating player I have ever followed.

Cheers

by Alxfritz on Nov 11, 2006 3:37 AM EST reply actions

J D places a lot of importance on ...

the "atmosphere" in the clubhouse, i.e. how many bible study teammates he has. Maybe that's one reason he's opting out of the LA clubhouse; not enough God Squad pals!

We don't want him.

by Urban Pawnee on Nov 13, 2006 2:48 PM EST reply actions

can we please refrain from insulting

people because they believe in God or the bible.

There's really no need to denouce someone for their religous beliefs or non-beliefs. Just say he wouldn't fit into the clubhouse. The less than subtle insults to religion were unneeded.

Acquire Jason Schmidt!

by azruavatar on Nov 13, 2006 8:11 PM EST up reply actions