If that is true, then the Red Sox are going to have another shortstop next season.

The Sox met with Boras regarding Drew Wednesday, the latest of several such meetings since the end of the World Series. The Sox are open to Drew returning on their terms.

"We like Stephen and the job he did," general manager Ben Cherington said. "Because of that we've kept the door open. We're going to continue to listen and talk and see where it ends up.


"If a deal makes sense for us, we would do it today for any player. I don't think there's any need to wait on anything. I think we have a sense of what's important to him and I think he has a sense of what's important to us. We'll see where it goes."

The Sox can afford to be disciplined knowing they can slide Xander Bogaerts into the position.

"We think we have a pretty good solution at shortstop," Cherington said.

Boras doesn't seem too concerned. Drew, he predicted, would have "numerous options to choose from" once his market takes better shape. Boras said some of Drew's offers are contingent on the team making another move — ostensibly to clear payroll space — first.

"Obviously, there are a variety of teams that want a shortstop of his defensive acumen and capability," Boras said.

The Red Sox made Drew a qualifying offer that he rejected. So any team that signs Drew would have to forfeit its highest unprotected draft pick. That could dampen his market, which Boras admitted could be the case.

"I don't think that the qualifying offer system helps major league players in the slightest," Boras said. "I think something really needs to be reviewed. The one thing you want to make sure, fans want to make sure, is that every year you have the opportunity to make the major league team better and still grow in the minor leagues. There should be no barrier."


If Drew signs with another team, the Red Sox will have their first-round pick and two supplemental first-round picks as compensation for Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury.

High hopes

Boras represents Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. He believes both should be in the Red Sox lineup. "Clearly," he said. "Bradley played very well in September. He hit about .270 and his defense was great. Bogaerts really established himself in the major leagues. When you've got a young man that age playing in that environment, it's a pretty remarkable achievement. I think Xander Bogaerts is going to be one of the top five players in baseball." . . . The Dodgers discussed outfielder Matt Kemp with the Red Sox, Mariners, and several others teams. But the team elected not to trade him at this point. Kemp is coming off an injury-filled and unproductive season that ended with surgery on his left shoulder and left ankle. If a trade were to come, it likely would be once teams have had a chance to see him play. Kemp also has six years and $128 million left on his contract.

Trophy tour

The Red Sox started a three-day holiday caravan Wednesday. The three World Series trophies will be on a duck boat at South Station Thursday morning before being taken to local schools, businesses, and hospitals. Sox players Drake Britton, Craig Breslow, Ryan Lavarnway, and Brandon Workman are joining the tour along with coaches Dana Levangie, Juan Nieves, and Victor Rodriguez . . . The Red Sox will have a hockey rink at Fenway this winter for college and high school games along with public skating. There also will be a 20-foot high sledding run that starts in left field, runs 75 feet and ends at the Red Sox bullpen. The "Monster Sled" will be available for hourly rentals for groups of up to 100 people. Sleds and tubes will be provided free of charge. For more information call 617-226-6791 or email events@redsox.com.


Rule 5 draft

The Rule 5 Draft of unprotected veteran minor leaguers will be Thursday morning. The Red Sox, who have a full 40-man roster, will not have a pick in the major league phase. If the Red Sox lose a player it could be infielder Michael Almanzar . . . The Red Sox agreed to terms with first baseman Mike Napoli Dec. 6. The official announcement could come by the end of this week . . . The Red Sox will start spring training afternoon home games at 1:05 p.m., not 1:35 p.m., as was the case last season. The players and coaches pushed for the change . . . The Red Sox looked into lefthander Johan Santana, who is making a comeback from injury, and decided not to pursue a deal . . . Cherington indicated the Red Sox could sign 37-year-old Shunsuke Watanabe, a submarine-style righthander, to a minor league contract. He was a long-time starter in Japan and pitched in the World Baseball Classic. David Ortiz hit a 525-foot home run off Watanabe in an exhibition game in 2004 . . . The Sox are expected to name Double A manager Kevin Boles as the manager at Triple A Pawtucket. Boles spent three seasons managing Portland and has managed six years in the minors for the Sox. He is the son of former Marlins manager John Boles.


Bartolo Colon to Mets

A person familiar with the deal said 18-game winner Bartolo Colon and the Mets have agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because an agreement had not yet been completed. The deal is pending the 40-year-old Colon passing a physical. Colon went 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA for the Athletics in a season in which he began by completing a 50-game suspension for a positive testosterone test . . . The Nationals acquired lefthanded reliever Jerry Blevins from frequent trade partner Oakland for speedy, switch-hitting outfielder Billy Burns, their reigning minor league player of the year . . . The Pirates and righthander Charlie Morton agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract. The 30-year-old Morton went 7-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 20 starts for the Pirates in 2013. The deal includes a 2017 club option for $9.5 million . . . The Pirates reached a deal with righthanded pitcher Edinson Volquez on a one-year contract for $5 million. The 30-year-old Volquez went 9-12 with a 5.71 ERA in 2013 while splitting time with the Padres and the Dodgers. The deal is pending a physical . . . The Mariners added a pair of slugging first baseman-outfielders to go along with Robinson Cano, reaching agreement on a one-year deal with Corey Hart and acquiring Logan Morrison in a trade with the Marlins. Hart confirmed he had agreed to the deal in a text message; completion of the deal is pending a physical. Hart missed last season following surgery on his right knee. Morrison was acquired for relief pitcher Carter Capps, according to a person with knowledge of the deal . . . The Tigers said Miguel Cabrera is making good progress in his rehabilitation program following offseason surgery for a groin tear . . . As expected, outfielder Rajai Davis and the Tigers agreed on a two-year contract worth $9 million to $10 million. The 33-year-old Davis spent the last three seasons with Toronto and hit .260 last year with six homers, 24 RBIs, and 45 steals in 331 at-bats.

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