J.D. Drew

[TedWilliams101]

Only 2 months into the season? Buddy, 1/3 of the season is over. Right now he'd be damned lucky to reach 20HR and 60RBI. LUCKY to reach that. To think that he is going to go on a tear and plays WELL above his career average to reach what people claim he can do (career season averages) is silly. IF he plays to his career averages for the rest of the season, he wont reach 20HR or 60RBI. Thats IF he plays that well. If not, well, it could be a very very ugly season.

 

I'm sorry, but why pay a guy $14 million when you could see this coming? I mean, they were having alot of trouble getting through the physicals and had to buid an issurance policy into his contract because of his injury and shoulder problems. You don't pay a guy with type of risk $14 million.

 

And for everyone who believes he is worth $14 million, before the end of the season there were rumors of him taking his out clause to hit the FA market. EVERYONE in baseball said it wouldn't happen because no one would pay him anywhere close to $10 million (what he was getting in LA). This is after that good season in 06. NO ONE in baseball thought he was worth more than $6-8 million. Are Red Sox fans really going to be so naive to believe they no more than everyone who is getting paid to manage, report, etc in MLB? And guess what, he isn't playing like a $14 million guy. Big surprise.

[kreinbihl34]

Nice investment huh?

 

Carl Pavano, Jared Wright, Kei Igawa. Yeah they paid off nice...

[example1]

Only 2 months into the season? Buddy, 1/3 of the season is over. Right now he'd be damned lucky to reach 20HR and 60RBI. LUCKY to reach that. To think that he is going to go on a tear and plays WELL above his career average to reach what people claim he can do (career season averages) is silly. IF he plays to his career averages for the rest of the season, he wont reach 20HR or 60RBI. Thats IF he plays that well. If not, well, it could be a very very ugly season.

 

I'm sorry, but why pay a guy $14 million when you could see this coming? I mean, they were having alot of trouble getting through the physicals and had to buid an issurance policy into his contract because of his injury and shoulder problems. You don't pay a guy with type of risk $14 million.

 

And for everyone who believes he is worth $14 million, before the end of the season there were rumors of him taking his out clause to hit the FA market. EVERYONE in baseball said it wouldn't happen because no one would pay him anywhere close to $10 million (what he was getting in LA). This is after that good season in 06. NO ONE in baseball thought he was worth more than $6-8 million. Are Red Sox fans really going to be so naive to believe they no more than everyone who is getting paid to manage, report, etc in MLB? And guess what, he isn't playing like a $14 million guy. Big surprise.

 

I love it how when players are playing poorly everyone thinks they know what to do better than this front office. I'm not worried about drew at all. For one, I'm not the one paying him. for two he's sitll getting on base a fair amount given his paultry average. I see no reason to think he won't have a .400 OBP by the end of the year.

 

The reason this team paid him as much as they did was because they wanted him. They didn't want Abreu, they didn't want Soriano, they wanted and got drew. During the off season, if we had taken a poll, a majority would have said that Youkilis, Drew, Lowell and Pedroia shouldn't be on the team. Now, low and behold, it is only Drew who is drawing peoples' ire.

 

Give him some freaking time to get used to hitting in the AL. Manny Ramirez started out hitting hundreds of points below his career average and its fine. drew does the same thing and you call for his head and pat yourself on the back about how well you can predict how people do. It wasn't a no-brainer. Sorry, this FO isn't known for just spending money to spend it and if hey didn't think they were close to his real value they wouldn't have paid it.

 

Do you think his Spring Training numbers and early season numbers were just flukes? You think he was just playing well over his head at that time, when pretty much everyone said "I guess I can see why they signed him now..."? I don't. I think that just like Pedroia you know what you're going to get, you just have to wait for it to materialize. I think there are impatient baseball fans--like you--who want to move on to someone else as soon as Drew starts strugggling. Given how well this team is doing I see no reason to come down hard on guys like Drew or Matsuzaka for having a hard time with the transition. Count your blessings that guys like Okijima and Beckett have figured it out and remain silent, that's what I would advize.

[TedWilliams101]

I questioned this signing from day 1. I don't like giving a guy who hasn't ever played 150 games in a season, has a list of injury problems longer than a Steven King novel, and has yet to really prove his worth. Im not worried about who is paying him the money, I'm annoyed that $70 million is locked up on him for 5 years when that money could be used in other spots for the team.

 

The problem is that if the Red Sox FO is wrong, which they are looking pretty damned wrong right now, we are stuck with him for 5 years and $70 million. Thats not chump change.

 

And I don't quite know where you got the idea that Manny Ramirez struggled with the Red Sox his first year. In 2001, his first season with the Red Sox, he had his STRONGEST start to EVER. You couldn't have been more wrong. DO YOUR f***ING RESEARCH.

 

2001 Season for Manny Ramirez:

April/March: .408BA, .482OBP, .735SLG, 1.217OPS, 9HR, 31RBI

May: .347BA, .439OBP, 663SLG, 1.102OPS, 7HR, 27RBI

June: .245BA, .374OBP, .539SLG, .913OPS, 8HR, 20RBI

July: .280BA, 387OBP, 634SLG, 1.021OPS, 8HR, 18RBI

First half numbers: .335BA, .432OBP, .649SLG, 1.081OPS, 26HR, 84RBI

Yea, real struggles... (To give you an idea, every stat he had in the 1st half that year were much higher than his career averages for the 1st half of each season.)

 

And please, don't EVER compare JD Drew to Manny Ramirez. Manny has proven himself one of the greatest hitters of all time. JD Drew has proven nothing. Oh wait, yea he has, he's proven he can't stay healthy for an entire season.

[Taliesin]

 

 

.

 

Your entire post turned into a Peanuts movie when you started comparing Manny w/ Drew. All I heard was wah..wah..wah. Watch ya some baseball from 50 years ago and get back to me.

 

It was a horrible signing. It will continue to be a horrible signing. Pavano like in it's idiocy. Theo's man crush on the dude was bizarre and I pray...pray that I'm mistaken. It is masked by a great team with a bunch of guys w/ a will to win. Spunky (I hate spunk for old MTM fans) bunch of oldschool ballplayers and I loved the Lowell hockey check tonight. Like...f*** you.

 

Should have could have would have kept Cabrera. Should have could have would have kept Alex G. Didn't. I can tolerate the Lugo signing. Drew. No. He's here so there you go. But now we have the Wily Mo Experiment in Right Field.

Sigh.

 

Are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced? Won't get the reference. Nevermind.

 

BTW...I love this team this year. They got spunk.

[example1]

I questioned this signing from day 1. I don't like giving a guy who hasn't ever played 150 games in a season' date=' has a list of injury problems longer than a Steven King novel, and has yet to really prove his worth. Im not worried about who is paying him the money, I'm annoyed that $70 million is locked up on him for 5 years when that money could be used in other spots for the team. [/quote']

 

In a market where Gary Matthews Jr. is getting an average of 10m/season, and Gil Meche is bringing in 11m, I think the Red Sox are predicting that the overall market increase they predicted for next year (rather than last year) will, indeed, still happen. Finding an OF of Drew's caliber will cost them a lot of money one way or the other. It seems like a lot of money, because it is. But this guy is a good hitter. I won't go into insults about your ability to know a good hitter when you see one, but just watching Drew at the plate you can tell he's a superior hitter to most. He is comfortable in the box, is patient, makes good solid contact and has decent speed. His career numbers back that up. They don't back up your stupid allegations that he's no good.

 

The problem is that if the Red Sox FO is wrong, which they are looking pretty damned wrong right now, we are stuck with him for 5 years and $70 million. Thats not chump change.

 

No, it isn't chump change. It is a calculated investment based on their projection on the player market and who is available the next few years, as well as who they will be targeting. Drew fits into the mold of high OBP/threatening power hitter that the Sox have successfully built around the past few years. You are ignorant to think that his numbers right now .222/.340./.310 are what he is going to do for the rest of the year and certainly for the rest of his career. When have you EVER seen a player suddenly regress to levels worse than any in his entire career?

 

And I don't quite know where you got the idea that Manny Ramirez struggled with the Red Sox his first year.

 

Right, that's your idea. I didn't say anything of the sort. My reference was based on Manny's production this season and how, although it doesn't mesh with his considerable and consistent career averages, people are cutting him slack. Drew, on the other hand, is not getting any slack cut despite the fact that he's only producing about 1/2 of what he usually does. If he were producing at career-average rate on this juggernaught nobody would be complaining about his pay.

 

My reference prior to mentioning manny was about the additional factor of, and the other players who had to adjust to coming to the AL. It's a good thing you didn't just assume that I said Manny struggled in his first season so that you could be really mean and insulting. Phew... :thumbsup: Thanks for taking the time to read carefully.

 

In 2001, his first season with the Red Sox, he had his STRONGEST start to EVER. You couldn't have been more wrong.

 

Wait, I thought we just agreed I didn't even say that...

 

DO YOUR f***ING RESEARCH.

 

Wow. Now you're just being an *******.

 

2001 Season for Manny Ramirez:

April/March: .408BA, .482OBP, .735SLG, 1.217OPS, 9HR, 31RBI

May: .347BA, .439OBP, 663SLG, 1.102OPS, 7HR, 27RBI

June: .245BA, .374OBP, .539SLG, .913OPS, 8HR, 20RBI

July: .280BA, 387OBP, 634SLG, 1.021OPS, 8HR, 18RBI

First half numbers: .335BA, .432OBP, .649SLG, 1.081OPS, 26HR, 84RBI

Yea, real struggles... (To give you an idea, every stat he had in the 1st half that year were much higher than his career averages for the 1st half of each season.)

 

Now this is what I call a strawman argument... you posit that I said something I didn't, then you proudly and mockingly go to town dismantling your own idiocy. Nice man.

 

And please, don't EVER compare JD Drew to Manny Ramirez. Manny has proven himself one of the greatest hitters of all time. JD Drew has proven nothing. Oh wait, yea he has, he's proven he can't stay healthy for an entire season.

 

Wow, your misrepresentation of my argument got your panties in a wad. Unwad them and come back to earth pal. Everyone knows Manny is one of the greatest hitters of all time. So what?

 

JD Drew is one of the better hitters in baseball. I'm not saying that because I like him--I don't particularly--or because I want to support everyone and everything that wears a uniform--I don't--I'm saying it because the numbers say so. The numbers say that it is very, VERY hard to be a .390 OBP and .500 SLG guy in your career. That's what he has done. The guy got MVP votes 3 years ago for crying out loud and you're saying he hasn't proven himself. BS. He hasn't reached his potential, but he has certainly proven himself to be a superior player when he is on the field.

 

He has had two freak injuries over the past 3 seasons. They are the type of injuries you can either blame a guy for, or not. I usually don't blame hitters for getting hit on the hand. I guess you do. If you had done your research you would have noticed that Drews contract includes a clause that if he ends the 09 or 10 seasons on the DL and is unable to play the OF the next season they may release him. So one of your biggest fears is alleviated.

 

Look man, I understand your concerns about Drew's contract and his performance so far. I don't understand the ease with which you make claims about his lack of worth based on his performance so far this year and his freak injuries in years past. Why assume he's only going to produce half of what he produced in the 9 seasons prior? That is a completely naive thing to do in baseball terms. You wait it out and let good players work their way out of slumps. We're a third of the way through the season. If JD Drew is on fire down the stretch and this team wins a WS nobody will be complaining about his check, or at least not while also saying he hasn't proven anything. He's a good player but you don't give him his due and you look alarmist because of it.

[example1]

Your entire post turned into a Peanuts movie when you started comparing Manny w/ Drew. All I heard was wah..wah..wah. Watch ya some baseball from 50 years ago and get back to me.

 

I didn't. You misread and presumed and made ASSumptions.

 

It was a horrible signing. It will continue to be a horrible signing. Pavano like in it's idiocy.

 

If you're wrong will you leave and never come back?

 

Theo's man crush on the dude was bizarre and I pray...pray that I'm mistaken. It is masked by a great team with a bunch of guys w/ a will to win.

 

Ohhh, a will to win. Your analysis is impecable Mr. James.

 

Spunky (I hate spunk for old MTM fans) bunch of oldschool ballplayers and I loved the Lowell hockey check tonight. Like...f*** you.

 

What are you, a 300 lb. scout?

 

Should have could have would have kept Cabrera. Should have could have would have kept Alex G. Didn't.

 

You accuse my post of becomiong a Peanuts movie thanks to your own misinterpretation and tendency to fall into group-think, but then turn around and do this repeatitive sing-songy crap because you think you're cool? Unimpressive.

 

I can tolerate the Lugo signing. Drew. No. He's here so there you go. But now we have the Wily Mo Experiment in Right Field.

Sigh.

 

Are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced? Won't get the reference. Nevermind.

 

Every kid who has ever been 15 knows the reference. Clever. <_>

 

 

BTW...I love this team this year. They got spunk.

 

How do you measure spunk, exactly? How do you quantify it so that you can determine which players who join your team are likely to add to the 'spunkitude' of the team? Are those numbers more convincing than Drew's career numbers? Your bandwagoning with TeddyBallgame101 should be based on more than your 'spunk radar' (forever to be known as spunkdar). Show me numbers please.

[ksushi]

I'm still not worried about Drew. Hey, Ted, I don't know where you got that break down of Manny's first half, but wherever thats from, could you get a break down of Drew month by month last year? Or his good year with the Braves?

 

I don't think Drew is a bad signing. Drew was signed to be our five hitter and protect Ortiz and Ramirez, something Nixon couldn't do, something Tek couldn't do. Both of those guys were suited further down the order. We paid Drew the big money to do exactly that job because he can get it done. He gets on more, he has a better eye, and is a more potent bat than either. Sure, he is struggling, but do you guys watch the games? I really think some of you wake up, read DirtDogs, read the Herald and hate every sox player who isn't in the MVP balloting. All of you were calling for Cora to start, even I thought he deserved a little more time despite my man crush on Pedroia, but most people wanted a full take over. A lot of people lost faith in Lester's potential because he didn't dominate out of the gate. WAIT ON IT!

 

If you've watched, Drew has been making solid, hard contact every time up. Right at people, but still hit hard. He has an OBP .120 points higher than his BA, which means he is still getting on the base paths well and making good use of his good eye. When those balls start to get by people and fall in, no one will complain. The power numbers will be there, too. It's still just the beginning of june. I expect Drew to be around .275/.400/.550 around 20 homers and around 90 RBI.

 

The only explanation I can think of for an all out power outage is his shoulder becoming a problem... and guess what, for all of you complaining about how much money he is making, if his shoulder affects him during the life of his contract, the Sox are covered and can get out from under the deal... basically releasing him with no penalty....

 

His talent is still there, his eye is still there, and he has been playing a pretty good right field. Considering the market, we're getting what we paid for because in the end JD Drew will protect our middle of the order and help them max out their production. Thats the cost of a good five hitter and since it comes out of John Henry's pocket and not our taxes, I don't see why we do so much goddamn complaining about it. Drew needs to hit, yeah. He will though, patience.

[TedWilliams101]

Example the point is, anyone who has been soooo prone to injuries and never played 150 games in a season, has had his motivation questioned by every team he's played for, called a soft player, and never put it together for a great season, doesn't deserve $14 million a year. It's that simple. The Red Sox overpaid for him and now they are stuck with him for a long time. I'm appologize about the misunderstanding about Manny, you were comparing the two and their struggles to begin the season after changing leagues.

 

And of course JD Drew isn't THIS bad. But also highly overrated and what ever "potenial" he does have is WAY overwaid by him being prone to injuries. Lets face it, he has never had an injury free season. You CAN'T expect a player to all of a sudden become injury free as he AGES. He's 31. If he couldn't stay off the DL when he was in his 20s, why do you think he will in this 30s and mid 30s?

[TedWilliams101]

I just don't like the signing and one of the big reasons is becuase the FA market is going to be VERY strong for CF/OF this coming offseason. We could have just stuck with Trot for another year or signed someone else short term to look to sign Andrew Jones or another impact FA for a longer contract. I just don't like paying $70 million to someone who really hasn't proven himself and is a big injury risk. I hope it turns out well, I just don't think it will. People talk about his career stats and his talent. Well, if you want to talk about the past, Drew hasn't ever had a healthy year. So if he is to stay healthy during his time with the Red Sox that would be CONTRARY to his past. People on this board pick and choose. They throw out his career stats and "potenial", but ignore that he has been very prone to injury in his past. And generally the more you age the more you become prone to injury.

[riverside sluggers]

I'm appologize about the misunderstanding about Manny' date=' you were comparing the two and their struggles to begin the season after changing leagues.[/quote']

 

Drew is switching from the NL to the AL. Manny switched from the AL Central to the AL East

 

Ted just cuz they signed Drew doesnt mean it rules them out of signing a big free agent center fielder next offseason

 

So in your scenario, Trot gets resigned for 1 year. Then in 2008 the Sox sign Andruw Jones to take over center... who plays right? Not Wily Mo of course because you despise him

[TheKilo]

People gotta complain about something right? Beat that dead f***ing horse into the ground.

[TedWilliams101]

Ellsbury could be taking over CF as early as '08. Thats why I would have liked to sign Trot for a Year. That way you could sign a FA CF and move them to RF and bring up Ellsbury.

 

But people should be complaining. JD Drew is horrible right now.

[example1]

Example the point is' date=' anyone who has been soooo prone to injuries and never played 150 games in a season, has had his motivation questioned by every team he's played for, called a soft player, and never put it together for a great season, doesn't deserve $14 million a year. It's that simple. The Red Sox overpaid for him and now they are stuck with him for a long time. I'm appologize about the misunderstanding about Manny, you were comparing the two and their struggles to begin the season after changing leagues. [/quote']

 

Manny didn't change leagues. Thanks for the apology.

 

And of course JD Drew isn't THIS bad. But also highly overrated and what ever "potenial" he does have is WAY overwaid by him being prone to injuries. Lets face it, he has never had an injury free season. You CAN'T expect a player to all of a sudden become injury free as he AGES. He's 31. If he couldn't stay off the DL when he was in his 20s, why do you think he will in this 30s and mid 30s?

 

in the seasons in which he played 145 games we're talking about him playing 90% of games. In the NFL that's a player who misses a game and a half. In the NBA its a player who plays 74 games. It isn't perfect but its a good percentage of the season.

 

Have faith man. The Red Sox clearly think the injuries of the past few years were FREAK INJURIES. They have examined his body, YOU HAVE NOT. Your playing the role of backseat GM without being privy to what the GM is privy to. What you ARE privy to are his numbers, and if you look at those numbers and don't see a VERY impressive player then I don't know what to tell you. Perhaps you are blinded by the spectacular numbers of Ortiz and Manny to the point where you can't recognize a classicly solid player when you see one.

 

You shouldn't get hung up on the money thing. You really shouldn't. This team is right where they want to be financially. Next offseason they will be confronted with the "problem" of having Schilling (13), Lowell (9), Clement (9.5) and Hinske (5) up for resigning. All of them could reasonably be released. That would free up 39 million for next offseason alone.

 

Mostly I just think you didn't like Drew--like most baseball fans--before he was on the Red Sox. Now he's on the Sox and you're going to let him have it as soon as he looks human.

[example1]

I just don't like the signing and one of the big reasons is becuase the FA market is going to be VERY strong for CF/OF this coming offseason. We could have just stuck with Trot for another year or signed someone else short term to look to sign Andrew Jones or another impact FA for a longer contract. I just don't like paying $70 million to someone who really hasn't proven himself and is a big injury risk. I hope it turns out well' date=' I just don't think it will. People talk about his career stats and his talent. Well, if you want to talk about the past, Drew hasn't ever had a healthy year. So if he is to stay healthy during his time with the Red Sox that would be CONTRARY to his past. People on this board pick and choose. They throw out his career stats and "potenial", but ignore that he has been very prone to injury in his past. And generally the more you age the more you become prone to injury.[/quote']

 

Again, if "injury prone" means "just as probable as anyone else to get hit in the hand" then we shouldn't ever sign anyone. The guy has played 140+ games 2 out of the last 3 years except for freak injury. If he plays that this year will you be satisfied, or will you demand that he play 160?

[BSN07]

Also Wake, Mirabelli, Timlin, Pinerio, Romero, JT are FA after the season, so were talking closer to 50M off the books. Besides the Sox arent a small market team, if they want to pony up the money to get a certain player they will do so. Them signing Drew won't effect future signings if they really want a ceratin player.

[jacksonianmarch]

Wily Mo looked pretty good out there and got another hit. He's hitting the ball hard right now, so if they feel like giving Drew a little time to heal, they could DL him and potentially see the highly unpopular WMP (in seabeach and the special Ed department's eyes) take off. When he hits the ball, it just carries deep.

[Mr Crunchy]

did some one say jd drew is one of the better hitters in baseball??

 

example 1

for what its worth

he has played 140 games 2xs in his career

twice!!

hes had 500abs once in his career

he avgs 120 games a year,this year he will struggle to achieve that milestone

 

what is this attraction based on??

hes had 100 rbi once

he had 90 in another year

he hit .300 4 years ago and hasnt since

he hit 30hrs once,once

 

where does this indicate hes one of the best hitters in the game??

 

you guys who try to defend drew sound like love sick teenage girls who found out george michael actually takes it in the face...

 

i dont get it

what is the f***ing attraction with this gutless underachieving **********??

 

i want the guy to succeed

i dont think he wants to put forth the effort that it takes to succeed and thats been his entire legacy from st louis to atlanta to la and now here

 

whats this current injury that knocked him out of the last 2 yanks series??

the ole stiff back??

the tweaked hammy??

pavanoitis??

 

just a pathetic competetitor

if he cant get up for the yanks he has no business in this town

[rician blast]

I'd really like to see the guy get healthy, stay healthy and succeed here. It'd be great for the Sox, great for Drew and make the FO look like they knew what they were doing all along. it's a win-win-win...but I don't see it happening.

 

Remember the Sox gave Renteria $10m per and he underachieved...but they were able to move him by eating some salary?

 

Think that'll happen with Nancy Drew? Assuming he continues to be hurt or just plain suck, it'd be nice to be able to get out from under the contract...but given his legacy to date, that is a highly doubtful opption. Who's gonna want him?

 

This f***er better produce or there'll be serious egg on a number of faces.

[Rodney Harrison]

Again' date=' if "injury prone" means "just as probable as anyone else to get hit in the hand" then we shouldn't ever sign anyone. The guy has played 140+ games 2 out of the last 3 years except for freak injury. If he plays that this year will you be satisfied, or will you demand that he play 160?[/quote']

 

And again, there's no guarantee that he'd opt out of his contract and join the Red Sox (not that anyone in LA didn't want it to happen)

[Metropolitan Cowboy]

Well 1/3 of the season is in the books. How much time are you guys willing to give JD to turn it around?

[schillingouttheks]

The year. I always give adjustment years. If he sucks next season then I'll be upset. Besides, he's still getting on base around 30 points above average.

[Rdsxmbnt]

two seasons

[riverside sluggers]

Oh god, the return of the Dodger fans, anyone have advil? I feel some migraines coming on soon enough

[Metropolitan Cowboy]

Oh god' date=' the return of the Dodger fans, anyone have advil? I feel some migraines coming on soon enough[/quote']

 

Does Advil really help with migraines? I always thought it was a neurological disease.

[RedsoxFanInNYC]

JD will get hot at some point. Redsox should look at one more bullpen guy though. The under belly of the pen is killing me.

[BSN07]

2 seasons.... First season is a total adjustment period, learning new parks, learning new pitchers. Year 2 should see some vast improvement.

[Mr Crunchy]

so we give him 2 f***ing years to remember he needs to be on the field??

 

theres no transition period effecting this guy

he aint been on the f***ing field long enough to be bothered by transitional problems

 

its not his talent we worry about here

its his courage

[rician blast]

Does Advil really help with migraines? I always thought it was a neurological disease.

 

I used to get them and I used my Dad's codeine...not "what the Dr. ordered" but fkn worked for me!

[Metropolitan Cowboy]

Why does everyone want to give players changing leagues 2 years before calling the player out? Seattle thought gave Beltre 2 years and look where they are at. Gary Sheffield's numbers did not change when he changed leagues. Ivan Rodriguez's number were also pretty close the one year he played in the NL.

 

When was the last time a 70 million dollar player in his prime was removed late in a close game because the catcher would have given them a better chance to win the game?