Drew inks deal with Cards
By Matthew Leach
1/17/03
ST. LOUIS -- Arbitration can be an ugly process. So the Cardinals are avoiding it altogether this year.
By agreeing to terms on a one-year, $3.6 million contract with outfielder J.D. Drew on Friday, the team ensured that it will not have to go to arbitration with any of its players in 2003. Drew was the team's last remaining unsigned arbitration-eligible player after Brett Tomko agreed to terms on Thursday.
"We're very excited, and thrilled to avoid arbitration," said John Mozeliak, director of baseball operations.
Drew, 27, endured a disappointing season in 2002. Patellar tendinitis in his right knee landed him on the disabled list in June and July, and slowed him down for the second half of the season. However, his 135 games played still matched a career high.
Drew's batting average (.252), on-base percentage (.349) and slugging percentage (.429) in 2002 were all his lowest such marks since his rookie season of 1999. He managed just 18 homers and 56 RBIs, both significant dropoffs from his stellar 2001 campaign.
Drew underwent surgery after the season ended to repair the tendon. The team has consistently reported that he is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation. However, the possibility still exists that Drew could begin the season on the disabled list. The Cardinals say that he will likely not be able to play full-time until June.
Over his four-plus big-league seasons, Drew is a .281 hitter with 81 home runs and 238 RBIs. He is eligible for free agency after the 2004 season. However, the team and agent Scott Boras never seriously discussed the possiblity of more than a one-year deal.
"It wasn't a complicated deal, by any means," Mozeliak said. "I think what it came down to is just both sides wanted to get something done and avoid going to arbitration."
With Drew in the fold, the Cardinals now turn their attention to their unsigned players who are not eligible for free agency, such as star outfielder Albert Pujols. Last season, Pujols did not sign a contract until Spring Training was well under way.
"What it does is it basically turns the page," Mozeliak said. "And now we will start looking at all our zero-to-threes (players who have fewer than three years of service time, and therefore are not yet eligible for arbitration) next week. We're gonna look at everything."