According to multiple reports, the Washington Nationals signed utility infielder Stephen Drew to a one-year, $3 million deal, with $1.25 million available in incentives. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com had it first.
Drew, a left-handed hitter, has experience at second, short and third and is a better fielder than recently signed second baseman Daniel Murphy.
With Murphy, Drew and Danny Espinosa all under contract, it seems there is no room on the roster for rookie Trea Turner to start the season on the roster, unless he beats out Espinosa at starting shortstop.
Drew hit .201/.271/.381 with 17 home runs in 131 games last season for the New York Yankees — but that’s kind of beside the point. The Nats didn’t bring him in to hit, because he can’t really, anymore. He’s much better equipped, though, to play the veteran glove off the bench and provide a hint of pop for a pinch-hit appearance than last year’s version, Dan Uggla.
Drew is a lifetime .251/.318/.421 hitter over 10 major league seasons.
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