Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training: 5 Bold Predictions

Sep 20, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop

(7) throws out Toronto Blue Jays player

from his knees during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays Will Sign Stephen Drew Before Camp Breaks

This one is a bit of a reach, as the team really has no discernible need to sign Drew. However, if I am a betting man and if I know Scott Boras well enough, that slimy rat will find a way to get the Blue Jays to bite on Drew as their option at second base. Just look at what Boras did with Washington a year ago.

After convincing Rafael Soriano to exercise his opt-out with the Yankees, the reliever sat long into the winter waiting for a contract to land. Boras, getting desperate, went to the Washington Nationals and fed off of the blown saves the team experienced in their postseason loss to the Cardinals, convincing their OWNERSHIP that an upgrade would get them over the top. The Nationals ended up giving him a 2-year, $22 million deal.

Stephen Drew now finds himself in a similar situation and accordingly, Boras has taken to trying to push his client on a team in need. Granted, he doesn’t have the same kind of relationship with the Blue Jays front office as he did in Washington, but he does find a way to make his case.

For his part, Drew put up an exceptional season for the Red Sox a season ago, hitting .253/.333/.443 with 13 home runs and 67 RBI in 124 games. He plays outstanding defense (UZR/150  of 6.7) and if he’s willing to make the move to second on a deferred-money deal, that may be enough for Toronto.

The Blue Jays will take a good look at Ryan Goins first, as well as Maicer Izturis, to make sure that the internal options are going to hold up or not. Meanwhile, Drew isn’t going anywhere soon, so the Blue Jays have time to evaluate, but I have a gut feeling.