The Devil on Drew's Shoulder
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Contributing Writer
You can almost see it, can't you?
The Red Sox made a qualifying offer and whispering in your ear is a the little devil on your shoulder, "...trust me."
You turn the offer down with dollar signs dancing in your head as you enter free agency as a shortstop. Everyone needs a good shortstop right, no down side at all, no risk.
Enter Spring Training.
No job in sight. Making the daily trek to some small college facility down in Florida to stay in shape with the other free agents whose ears were whispered into by that same little devil on their shoulder.
Red Sox are looking pretty good with Xander Bogaerts.
Both New York teams, where he expected to end up, bailed out early.
Toronto crossed the border up north and never looked back.
Now we have the season fast approaching when Detroit loses Jose Iglesias and again hope that an offer will be made springs eternal. Drew is starting to panic and it is reported that he might be willing to accept a one-year deal from the Tigers. Less than three days later Detroit acquires 37-year-old Alex Gonzalez from the Orioles to fill in at shortstop.
For those that don't know him, Gonzalez is a former Boston infielder and has a .246 average with six major league teams. He was the starting shortstop for the 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins.
With less than a week to go until Opening Day, it looks like he will have to wait until after the June draft to unload the compensation draft pick that is hanging around his neck. Only then will Drew become attractive enough to garner attention on the free agent market.
He gambled and it looks like he lost.
One has to wonder, will he listen to that little devil on his shoulder next time?
Post a comment or via twitter @ericschabell with your thoughts.
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