Drew are you?
Feb 21st, 2007 by Rob Bradford
J.D. Drew just talked to the media and seemed in good spirits. He referenced his new approach to his health over the past year which has resulted in better overall conditioning. Hopefully I can get a first-hand look at his QRS machine which he believes has been one of the biggest helps in keeping his shoulder healthy.
Here is an article I wrote earlier this month about how J.D. Drew is improving his health
Other J.D. tidbits:
- Contract doesn’t add any pressure.
- Probably best lineup he’s been in.
- In as good a health as he has been in.
- Completely fine with Curt Schilling, who had said earlier in Drew’s career that the hitter should wear “double-earflaps” after Drew’s decision not to sign with Philadelphia out of the draft. He saw Curt already and they said their hellos.
- Bill Mueller, a friend from the Dodgers, had told him how popular Trot Nixon was in Boston.
To answer a couple of questions:
- Jon Still, a catcher the Sox drafted out of NC State in the fourth round last year, is viewed still as an offensive-type backstop off his success in college. He only hit .220 for Lowell last year, but Boston was encouraged with his final 1 1/2 months. He will be vying for a job in high-A this year. Luis Exposito, whom I mentioned a few days ago, is perhaps the best defender of the lower-level defenders among the catchers. Mark Wagner, a ninth-round pick in ‘05,is also viewed as solid defensive prospect who made strides with a .301 average in Greenville last year. George Kottaras continues to be viewed in the highest regard right now because he is one of the few catching prospects in the system who has hit on a regular basis. The bottom line is that no matter who good you are defensively in the minors, you have to hit to even become a backup in the majors.
- Allard Baird’s most notable signing as an area scout with the Royals was Johnny Damon. But he has spent the majority of his career outside the area scouting domain, being quickly promoted to national crosschecker and then special assistant to the GM. You don’t have to be identified with a single player to be viewed as a good talent evaluator. Tony LaCava of the Blue Jays is also among the best in judging talent, but has done so on a broader base like national crosschecker and the like.
- Jon Papelbon could be the closer by June, or even May, but I guarantee you that he will not be the closer come Opening Day. They have plans A through F to go through before taking Papelbon out of his new role.
Clubhouse is open, got to go. Keep questions coming ..
10 reader comments to “Drew are you?”
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1Anonymous said:
Ichiro will be a free agent at the end of this year, can you ask Matsuzaka how he would feel about having Ichiro as a teammate next year in a Sox uniform?
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2Anonymous said:
Could you all imagine Ichiro as our leadoff hitter and playing in the outfield. The Sox would be unstoppable. I hope it is not just a rumor and could be the truth.
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3Anne said:
Is JD Drew going to wear #7? (I hope not …)
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4Anonymous said:
Robbo,
I know it’s early, but how is Pedroia looking so far (I mean in the field and at the dish … I know he’s already sporting a Body by Jake, or whatever). In my mind, he’s going to have to be exceptional to make us stop mourning Loretta. Also, anyone else in camp who might compete at the keystone (besides Cora, I mean)?Way off the subject, your blog is Bradford on Baseball, but all I and other fans (of yours and the hometown team you cover) have been asking about is Red Sox baseball. Beyond Fenway, though …
1. Any chance that my secret love, the Devil Rays, will get themselves out of the cellar, even if it’s just to leapfrog the lowly Birds?
2. Speaking of the Birds, is that storied franchise ever going to get better?
3. The Jays ponied up for Vernon Wells, I believe. Are they ready to seriously challenge for the top … all season long, I mean? And will we see the aforementioned Wells put up the kind of numbers that will make him the best player in the league this year? Or will that person be … to bring this post full circle … the D-Rays’ Carl Crawford? -
5RedSoxGal said:
Hi Rob,
I love the blog. I read on the Herald’s website that the Red Sox presented David Ortiz with a truck upon his arrival in Boston. Why would they give someone making 13 million a year a truck?Thanks,
Amanda -
6Miles said:
Who is the one positional prospect in the minors right now who the Sox are putting in their long-term plans? I hear a lot about guys like Ellsbury, but would they trade Crisp to make room? Anyone in the pipeline for 3B once Lowell slows down?
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7Anonymous said:
Rob
I was wondering how other players are taking the whole Manny not showing up until March 1st, have there been anybody who has spoken off the record about it. Im assuming that players must be alot more sick and fed up with it then say red sox nation cause they are around it everyday. I for one am fed up with him but I will get over it real fast as soon as he starts hiiting all those HR’s and driving in all those runs. And have you heard if Daisuke Matsuzaka first game against BC will be on TV.
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8Anonymous said:
The only people concerned about Manny not showing up until March 1 are those in the press.
The first few days of spring training are, for the most part, a bunch of useless media hoo-hah sessions. Yes, the guys are working out. Yes, there are side sessions, etc.
But the only people who are making a big deal out of this are the press. Who cares?
As far as the Sox-BC game, supposedly there is going to be some NESN live coverage of it. Watch NESN for further updates.
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9Anonymous said:
Rob,
Its great to have another blog out there thats based on serious reporting.
It a good thing that BDD links to you. I hink it shows the true power of RSN and a non partisan approach that despite Steve’s assumption by the Globe that we can stil have our cake and eat it too -
10Shawn said:
Rob,
What’s a national crosschecker? First time I’ve come across the phrase.Thanks, and good luck with the site!
