Red Sox, Drew make it official

In contrast to recent signings, which featured a signing ceremony and a smiling player, in a Friday conference call the Red Sox confirmed that they have settled on contractual language with J. D. Drew, announcing him officially as a member of the team. The contractual language in question represents protection for the Red Sox in the event of a specific injury. The Sox will be able to opt out of the five year contract in the deal’s third or fourth year if Drew spends a certain number of days (reportedly 35) on the disabled list as a result of a prior right shoulder injury for which he underwent surgery in September 2005. This announcement represented the culmination of a seven week process from an agreement in principle during the winter meetings, to questions being raised by the Sox medical staff after the routine pre-contract physical, to a reported positive second opinion from Dr. James Andrews. Drew, whose proper name is David Jonathan Drew, will succeed the recently departed Trot Nixon in right field and is widely expected to bat fifth in the Sox lineup. He is a career .286/.393/.512 in eight big league seasons.

Tweet