Roche: Drew Signing Sends Win-Now Message From Red Sox Management To Players
BOSTON (CBS) - The signing of Stephen Drew left many Red Sox fans scratching their heads.
21-year-old Xander Bogaerts is the top prospect in the entire Red Sox organization and plays the same position as Drew. Bogaerts sees himself as a shortstop, not a third baseman, and the Drew re-signing came just days after general manager Ben Cherington gave Bogaerts a vote of confidence at the position for the rest of the season.
Fans were, and perhaps still are dumbfounded at the acquisition -- especially when considering Drew sat out Tuesday night in just his second game of the season.
But inside the clubhouse they're singing a different tune, because now players get the feeling that help is on the way for the 27-31 Red Sox.
WBZ's Dan Roche joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich show Wednesday morning to discuss the Drew signing and how it's reverberating inside the clubhouse.
"The players that were brought in on those three-year deals like Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino were told they need to show the way for the young players, but by winning a World Series I think the players have earned the respect, or the right to say to the ownership, 'Hey, give us the players we need so we can try and repeat. We deserve that shot.'
"I think the Stephen Drew re-signing may have had something to do with that as well. Pitchers were probably sitting there saying, 'Hey, we're giving up a run or two more per game for a start than we have been. We need a guy to help solidify that defense.' I'm sure the players are saying they want a chance to repeat, and if ownership can give them a piece of the puzzle without giving up prized possessions, then go get it. Could it be a rental? Yeah I think that would be ideal."
Despite the Red Sox holding the fourth worst record in the AL East, they're only four games under .500 and 7.5 games back from the division lead. The Drew signing, in theory, solidifies the defense in the middle infield, but Roche believes now some resources must be used in improving the offense from the outfield.
Roche posits that maybe a guy like Minnesota's Josh Willingham, or some other right-handed power bat, could help cure the woes of the outfield and the players would welcome any help they could get in that area.
Listen below for the full discussion:
Dan Roche Talks Drew Signing, Red Sox-Rays & More
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