Red Sox rumors: Boston plans to wait out market for Stephen Drew

The Red Sox plan to allow the free agent market to manifest itself before making a definitive offer to shortstop Stephen Drew, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.

Boston has potential replacements at the ready if the club deems Drew's market too costly. Xander Bogaerts and Will Middlebrooks could fill in for the Sox at short and third respectively, and highly regarded Double-A prospect Garin Cecchini plays third as well. Boston has said it would like to add to the left side of  its infield, but Drew's excellent performance in 2013 might be enough to price him out of a return to Fenway.

An obstacle that works in Boston's favor is the fact that Drew was extended (and declined) a qualifying offer from the club in November. Teams could balk at surrendering a first-round pick for the eight-year veteran despite his superb defensive credentials and serviceable bat. In any event, Drew will certainly be coveted and that should be represented in the offers he receives on the open market. Now it's just a matter of whether or not the Sox will stay in the hunt to retain him, or move on with organizational replacements.

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