Stephen Drew May not be Ready by Opening Day

[Giantmetfan07]

Saw this on ESPN Insider today.

Both Drew and Posey are coming back from devastating ankle injuries, the kind that might have ended their careers if they had occurred at the time of spit-and-dirt medicine of the 1930s. But time seems to be on Posey's side, because his injury happened earlier in the 2011 season.


Drew was hurt two months after Posey, and it's very possible that he won't be ready at the outset of the season. Posey's position carries its own separate challenges and risks for a player coming back from the kind of leg injury that he suffered, but in some respects, Drew will face greater hurdles. He must break quickly on ground balls to be effective, and must get to the second-base bag deftly and get out of the way of oncoming runners. Doing agility drills and running in a straight line during his rehabilitation is one thing, but playing strong defense at shortstop -- which has been Drew's forte -- is something different altogether.

So the Diamondbacks intend to monitor him and make their assessments. They have John McDonald signed and ready to step in and provide superlative defense, and Willie Bloomquist showed that he, too, can play the position. But Arizona made the playoffs last year and its expectations are high, and it holds a mutual option on Drew for 2013, for $10 million. If the Diamondbacks determine, at any point, that Drew is not going to be an effective player this season, they could search for more permanent solutions than McDonald or Bloomquist in the open market.

Drew's comeback will be as closely monitored as those of Posey and Justin Morneau, and is as crucial to his team.

I wonder what the D'Backs will so if Drew isn't ready -- whether it's call to a backup or sign somebody, although I have no idea who is still available to sign.

 

[cruzg24]

If Stephen Drew can not make a full recovery this season, I dont see the Dbacks repeating as divisional champs. Drew defensively was a critical reason why they won and especially at such a demanding position such as shortstop, they need to quickly see if he is ready or if not they look for another solution.

John Mcdonald wouldnt be a bad option if it were for a month or less while Drew recovers.

 

[Elite]

Edgar Renteria and Miguel Tejada are still out there, not sure they're worth bringing in though.

 

[cruzg24]

Edgar Renteria and Miguel Tejada are still out there, not sure they're worth bringing in though.

Edgar Renteria is my hero, colombian pride right there. But hes washed up and not good anymore, lol.