[simple simon]

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- J.D. Drew and the Boston Red Sox culminated weeks of negotiations by reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday on a $70 million, five-year contract.


Drew will receive $14 million annually in the deal, which is subject to a physical. He gives the Red Sox a powerful middle of the batting order alongside David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez -- if Ramirez isn't traded.

"He's going to be a contributor. They had two big sluggers, righty-lefty, Ortiz and Ramirez," agent Scott Boras said. "J.D. has a great on-base percentage. He gives you a quality at-bat. He's an RBI guy. And he's really going to add a defensive component to that team that is, I think, really going to enhance their play, what they do both with arm strength and his ability to cover ground in the outfield. And his baserunning -- he can run a little bit. He is going to steal 20 or 30 bases. He's going to bring a dimension there."

Drew, Red Sox reach preliminary agreement on $70 million, 5-year contract - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[MJHMarc]

Definitely, not cool.

JD Drew was a Dodger!

Traitor, who should I say "trader"?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Definitely, not cool.

JD Drew was a Dodger!

Traitor, who should I say "trader"?

They key word here is "WAS"

The crazy choices we make for a couple of bucks !!

[MVB]

Definitely not worth $14 million a year, but is an upgrade from Trot Nixon. If the BoSox can hold on to Manny, they'll have a very powerful lineup in '07.

[ThePundit]

I hate to sound like a broken record. But 70 million dollars for a player who is a little better than mediocre? That is - when he's not hurt.

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

I hate to sound like a broken record. But 70 million dollars for a player who is a little better than mediocre? That is - when he's not hurt.

A little better than mediocre? When he's healthy he's a VERY good player.

Hits for decent average, very high OBP, and a career slugging higher than Soriano and Lee? And he slaughters both of those guys on defense. Injuries may be a problem with Drew, but put him on the field and i'll take him over every other free agent this year.