Stephen Drew Thread

[ActingWild]

Stephen Drew to sign?

I have no idea of this guy's credibility...but I sure hope he's right!

http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_3810495,00.html



Word is the Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to sign shortstop Stephen Drew, their No. 1 draft pick from a year ago, and that will impact this year's draft. Drew did not re-enroll at Florida State, opting to sign with the independent Northern League.

Agent Scott Boras had continued to talk with Arizona officials, trying to work out a deal that Boras thought was pretty well in place at the time of the draft last year.

The hang-up is Jerry Colangelo is the man Boras said had signed off on getting things done with Drew, but before a deal was signed, Colangelo was forced out.

The consensus best player in the draft is high school shortstop Justin Upton. If Arizona, which has the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, signs Drew, it is expected to turn its attention to a college pitcher, St. John's right-hander Craig Hansen or Wichita State right-hander Mike Pelfrey.

BORAS HAS ANOTHER unsigned first- round pick from last year, former Long Beach State right-hander Jared Weaver, who was drafted by the Angels. Weaver also is signed to play in the Northern League.

Boras dropped the asking price on Weaver to $6 million, down from $10 million last year, but the Angels aren't moving from their $5.25 million offer.

There's a feeling Boras will make a final push to get Weaver signed before the Angels lose rights to him Monday night because Boras has enough new clients in this year's draft.

BORAS ALSO REPRESENTS right-handed pitcher Luke Hochevar, a Fowler, product who is dominating hitters for the University of Tennessee. Hochevar's father played one year with the Denver Nuggets. The Rockies have the seventh pick in the first round and Hochevar has been connected to them in predraft speculation.

The key will be how serious Hochevar is about getting signed and embarking on his pro career instead of a summerlong holdout that would delay his debut until 2006.

 

[NickelBack]

I don't know if he is right on this one or not, but Ringolsby is pretty solid.

 

[boondockdrunk]

I would rather have the D'backs not sign Drew, draft Upton and then use their pick from not netting Drew in order to pick up a pitcher.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I would rather have the D'backs not sign Drew, draft Upton and then use their pick from not netting Drew in order to pick up a pitcher.

Drew is such a better talent than any pitchers at that pick. Can you imagine getting both #1 positional players in consecutive drafts?

 

[boondockdrunk]

Drew is such a better talent than any pitchers at that pick. Can you imagine getting both #1 positional players in consecutive drafts?

If we sign Drew and draft Upton I am all for it.... however, this article was saying that if we sign Drew then we won't pick Upton and we will go with a pitcher... no pitcher is worthy of the top pick... by a long shot. I just don't want another Corey Myers. I am all for getting Drew and drafting Upton.... That is what I am hoping for.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

If we sign Drew and draft Upton I am all for it.... however, this article was saying that if we sign Drew then we won't pick Upton and we will go with a pitcher... no pitcher is worthy of the top pick... by a long shot. I just don't want another Corey Myers. I am all for getting Drew and drafting Upton.... That is what I am hoping for.

Ah. Every other article I have seen lately has our situation with Drew and Upton separate from each other, which is what I really hope for. Getting both Drew and Upton would make our group of position prospects one of the best in all of baseball.

 

[AZZenny]

Moorad said today the team has not given up all hope, but they had put the final offer on the table already, "The player knows what it is, and there has been no response to suggest that the player will accept the offer" before midnight EST tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Boras has apparently insisted on an added $750K 'incentive' from LAA if Weaver stays in the Majors three straight years. Boras said they aren't very far apart, but Arte Moreno said they are further apart than Boras suggests, and that his style is to make it look like the club just needs to be a leeeetle more flexible, since gee, he's compromised so much. Moreno said Boras is trying to trick the Angels into bidding against themselves, basically, and it ain't gonna happen.

I'd think since Boras has three of the top first-round pitchers, he'd really want Weaver wrapped up - but he only has a couple position players so Drew isn't in much competition with his current crop.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Maybe I'm just buying in to the hype, but I sure do hope Arizona drafts Upton.. I think the kid has all the tools to be a phenominal baseball player and is good enough that he could wind up in the majors within 3 years. The guy draws favorable comparisons to his brother BJ, some even claim they think Justin will ultimately be BETTER than BJ. It only took the elder Upton 2 years to get to the pros.. So, you're looking at a possible franchise guy (to use the football term loosely) and I think the Diamondbacks would be making a mistake passing him up.

As for Drew, it's drawing even closer to the deadline and nothing seems to be breaking. I'd like to see them get him signed, but I'm not holding my breath too long. I do think that'd be a hell of a combo, Upton and Drew at SS and 2B respectfully.

 

[Phill11]

A potential lineup consisting of Upton, Drew, Quentin and Jackson is amazing. I'm all for it, if the DBacks have the cash.

Anyone have an idea about what type of cash Upton wants?

 

[JerkFace]

A potential lineup consisting of Upton, Drew, Quentin and Jackson is amazing. I'm all for it, if the DBacks have the cash.

don't forget about sergio santos, kid is going to be a stud.

 

[Arby]

Weaver signs with Angels...

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/NA...ent_id=1069089&vkey=pr_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

Hopefully they're just taking their sweet time announcing that we signed Drew...wishful thinking.

 

[nathan]

Per channel 12, Drew signed.

 

[Espo]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/2005draft/preblog.html

theres the link to the official story.

 

[boondockdrunk]

don't forget about sergio santos, kid is going to be a stud.

That lineup is crazy good.... I am getting shivers.

 

[JerkFace]

Per channel 12, Drew signed.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Great news.

 

[ActingWild]

SWEEEEEET!!!!!!!

Man, I hope we take Upton. That will be a heckofa middle infield!

 

[Kolo]

Here are Drew's final stats playing in the Independent league for the past month:

PLAYER AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS SLG OBP E

Drew, Stephen,SS .427 19 82 17 35 8 3 4 18 8 18 0 0 .744 .484 8

And here's a blurb from baseballamerica (the whole article is on the website and doesn't require a subscription):
______________________-

Drew is a five-tool player who should make an impact offensively wherever he winds up on the diamond. He should hit for a high average with solid power and is a top basestealing threat. Most scouts believe Drew can stay at shortstop, though some project him moving to either center field or second base.

With negotiations at a stalemate this spring, both Drew and Weaver joined with the Camden Riversharks of the independent Atlantic League. Drew signed April 20 and was leading the league in batting (.427), on-base percentage (.484) and slugging percentage (.744) when he agreed to terms with the Diamondbacks. He went 3-for-4 with a grand slam in his final game Monday, one day after he homered off the top of Camden's 50-foot scoreboard.

 

[Brandon_Webb]

I'm not getting what the knock is on Upton playing SS? Is it because his arm is a little bit wild? because that seems fixable, or is it because they think it doesn't take full advantage of his ridiculous speed?

 

[boondockdrunk]

I'm not getting what the knock is on Upton playing SS? Is it because his arm is a little bit wild? because that seems fixable, or is it because they think it doesn't take full advantage of his ridiculous speed?

I have heard that it is his glove.... but I honestly don't know.

This article scares me a bit:
"1. DIAMONDBACKS
Arizona faces two scenarios—one where Drew signs, the other where he doesn’t. There have been rumors all spring that a Drew signing will prompt the Diamondbacks to take another Boras client with the No. 1 pick, either St. John’s righthander Craig Hansen or Wichita State righthander Mike Pelfrey—or even Weaver, if he doesn’t sign with the Angels. Scouting director Mike Rizzo insists the pick will not be linked to the Drew signing, though with three weeks remaining he had Pelfrey, Hansen and Tennessee righthander Luke Hochever—all Boras clients—on a short list of potential picks, along with Virginia high school shortstop Justin Upton, the consensus best talent in the draft. If Rizzo has his way, the pick will be Upton. But a new ownership group has been pushing for one of the pitchers, thinking he could help a revived big league team in a potential pennant push this year.
PROJECTED PICK: Justin Upton."

Picking one of the pitchers in order to make a push for a pennant is stupid, because A). Aquino is coming back so that helps our bullpen and B). Craig Hansen (the logical choice for bullpen and quick help) is a reliever, but is anything from a sure bet. He might be able to help the club quickly but C). His agent is Boras, so it all depends on when we sign him. Not to mention that no pitcher in this draft is anywhere NEAR the type of player Upton is.

 

[Brandon_Webb]

I have heard that it is his glove.... but I honestly don't know.

This article scares me a bit:
"1. DIAMONDBACKS
Arizona faces two scenarios—one where Drew signs, the other where he doesn’t. There have been rumors all spring that a Drew signing will prompt the Diamondbacks to take another Boras client with the No. 1 pick, either St. John’s righthander Craig Hansen or Wichita State righthander Mike Pelfrey—or even Weaver, if he doesn’t sign with the Angels. Scouting director Mike Rizzo insists the pick will not be linked to the Drew signing, though with three weeks remaining he had Pelfrey, Hansen and Tennessee righthander Luke Hochever—all Boras clients—on a short list of potential picks, along with Virginia high school shortstop Justin Upton, the consensus best talent in the draft. If Rizzo has his way, the pick will be Upton. But a new ownership group has been pushing for one of the pitchers, thinking he could help a revived big league team in a potential pennant push this year.
PROJECTED PICK: Justin Upton."

Picking one of the pitchers in order to make a push for a pennant is stupid, because A). Aquino is coming back so that helps our bullpen and B). Craig Hansen (the logical choice for bullpen and quick help) is a reliever, but is anything from a sure bet. He might be able to help the club quickly but C). His agent is Boras, so it all depends on when we sign him. Not to mention that no pitcher in this draft is anywhere NEAR the type of player Upton is.

and D) you should never ever ever draft for need on the current big league roster. It's OK to draft who you think willl be in the majors quickest, but drafting somebody because you need help in the big leagues right now is horrible, you'll rush the player and possibnly wreck his career

 

[Phill11]

don't forget about sergio santos, kid is going to be a stud.

Eh, I'm not sold on Santos. I'd perfer we trade him. I haven't watched him a lot so don't bash me now but I just don't think he'll be a hell of a player. In AAA his OBP is under .300 his BA is barely over .200. He's only got 1 SB outta 2 attempts. I just can't see him panning into a great SS.

I'd perfer Upton/Drew up the middle.

Here's what I'd like to see in the future.

1B- Tracy (I know people suspect he'll be gone, but AZ BETTER keep him)
2B- Hairston (Give the kid time and fielding should come easier)
3B- Jackson (Hell of a hitter will really improve our offense)
SS- Drew (See Jackson with a glove)
LF- Maybe a solid Veteran FA.
CF- Upton (Great speed, should leadoff for us)
RF- Quentin (See Jackson)
C- Snyder (Hill ain't going anywhere from what I've seen)

A lineup consisting of:
Upton
Tracy
Jackson
Quentin
Drew
Hairston
Snyder
LF
P

:notworthy

 

[Brandon_Webb]

Eh, I'm not sold on Santos. I'd perfer we trade him. I haven't watched him a lot so don't bash me now but I just don't think he'll be a hell of a player. In AAA his OBP is under .300 his BA is barely over .200. He's only got 1 SB outta 2 attempts. I just can't see him panning into a great SS.

I'd perfer Upton/Drew up the middle.

Here's what I'd like to see in the future.

1B- Tracy (I know people suspect he'll be gone, but AZ BETTER keep him)
2B- Hairston (Give the kid time and fielding should come easier)
3B- Jackson (Hell of a hitter will really improve our offense)
SS- Drew (See Jackson with a glove)
LF- Maybe a solid Veteran FA.
CF- Upton (Great speed, should leadoff for us)
RF- Quentin (See Jackson)
C- Snyder (Hill ain't going anywhere from what I've seen)

A lineup consisting of:
Upton
Tracy
Jackson
Quentin
Drew
Hairston
Snyder
LF
P

:notworthy

LF? How about Jon Zenrigue or Josh Kroeger? Both are very solid prospects who can hammer the hell outta the ball. I would much rather see D'Antona then Tracy playing 3B. And Why would we put Conor over at third? He's played his entire minor league Career over 1B and RF, why would we move him now.

Santos is currently our #3 prospect (probably moves down to 4 then 5 after this draft) But theres no reason to think he won't pan out. According to everything i've read theres no holes in his swing, the only knock on his hitting is that he is over aggresive.

Background: Santos first popped up on scouts' radar as a high school sophomore, but a disappointing senior season seemingly dropped him out of the first round. The Diamondbacks bucked the consensus by taking him 27th overall based on his track record, and they've looked smart for doing so. He reached Double-A at age 20 and was having a solid season until it was ended by surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.

Strengths: Santos’ profile is that of the new breed of shortstop -- big, strong and athletic. His pure bat speed is among the best in the system, and he has shown some aptitude for driving the ball. He makes the plays he gets to at shortstop and has one of the better infield arms among Arizona farmhands. He's an average runner.

Weaknesses: While Santos seems certain to hit, his long-term position remains in question. He may outgrow shortstop and his range probably fits better at third base anyway. His power and arm still profile well for the hot corner. An aggressive hitter, he needs to draw more walks.

The Future: Santos’ shoulder has bothered him throughout his pro career and the Diamondbacks believe it has held him back offensively and defensively. They believe he's on the verge of a breakout and have no intention of moving him off shortstop at this time. He could be their big league starter at short in 2006.

I'd say the best possible 07 team we could have out of this farm system (and assuming we get Upton)

C Snyder
1B Jackson
2B Drew
SS Santos
3B D'Antona
LF Kroeger
CF Upton
RF Quentin

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

- Glaus will be a DBack in 2007 so there's no use putting anyone else at that position unless Troy blows out his shoulder or gets traded.

- Nobody within or outside the organization seems to think much of Kroeger. Most scouts insist he can't hit MLB pitching and last year's stint helped confirm that.

- Hairston gets no love within the organization either. He'll be trade bait this summer.

- Now that we have Drew, Glaus, and Jackson basically lined up to play infield, I don't know where Chad Tracy fits in to the team's long term plans unless he takes over for Gonzo in LF.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...1&content_id=1069273&vkey=draft2005&fext=.jsp

D-Backs reach deal with Drew
Top pick from 2004 Draft signs before deadline
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- It took almost a year, but the Diamondbacks finally got their man as they signed shortstop Stephen Drew, their No. 1 pick from last year's draft, just before the 9 p.m. (MST) deadline Monday.

The five-year contract is for a guaranteed $5.5 million that could be worth as much as $7.5 million. There was a $4 million signing bonus.

"I remained optimistic through some trying times, but I always thought we could get something done," Arizona scouting director Mike Rizzo said.

Drew was regarded by many as the best position player available in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, but slipped to the Diamondbacks, who held the 15th pick, in large part because of signability concerns. Drew's agent is Scott Boras, a notoriously tough negotiator.

The Diamondbacks made what they said was their final offer in April that is believed to be the terms that Drew finally agreed to.

"It showed that Stephen Drew really wanted to be a Diamondback," Rizzo said. "The fact that we were able to get this done was a total team effort from everyone with the Diamondbacks to the Drew family and to Scott."

Drew, whose brother, J.D., is the Dodgers starting right fielder, was a standout shortstop at Florida State University where he hit .344 with 17 homers and 56 RBIs during his junior year in 2004. He withdrew from classes at FSU last August and signed with the Independent League Camden Riversharks a few weeks ago.

The Diamondbacks had seen Drew play with the Riversharks and after having him report to extended Spring Training he will be sent to one of their Minor League teams.

"I would think it would probably be high A," Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said when asked about where Drew would start out in the Diamondbacks system.

The Diamondbacks advanced Class A team is the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League.

Some have speculated that Drew's future in the big leagues would be in the outfield, but the Diamondbacks are not among them.

"There's no question in our minds that he's going to be an everyday shortstop and a middle-of-the-order hitter in the big leagues," Rizzo said.

The signing of Drew comes one week before the 2005 First-Year Player Draft in which the Diamondbacks have the first selection. Justin Upton, a high school shortstop in Virginia, is one of the four players the Diamondbacks are considering for that pick. The other three -- Mike Pelfrey, Luke Hochevar and Craig Hansen -- are pitchers.

Both Rizzo and Garagiola said the signing of Drew would not affect which player they select.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.