Cesar Tordesillas

The Boston Red Sox have acquired a potential starting shortstop Monday, signing Stephen Drew to a one-year deal worth $9.5 million, according to a Major League source.

Barring injury, the Red Sox are expected to pick the 29-year-old Drew as the team's starting shortstop over 23-year-old Jose Iglesias.

Drew split last season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Oakland A's as he fought through right ankle problems stemming from a nasty injury in 2011.

He hit just .193 with two home runs in 40 games and 155 plate appearances for Arizona, but did better once he was dealt to the upstart A's, hitting five home runs and a .250/.326/.382 line with Oakland.

Drafted by the Diamondbacks 15th overall in 2004, Drew is a lifetime .265/.326/.482 hitter. He reached double-digit homers from 2007-10, but hasn't been able to get enough plate appearances the last two seasons.

Drew had a mutual option for $10 million that both he and the A's declined in favor of a $1.35 million buyout.

Stephen's brother J.D. also played for the Red Sox but retired following the 2011 season.

With Drew's signing, Iglesias is expected to spend another year at Triple-A Pawtucket to keep growing.

Iglesias hit just .118 in 77 Major League plate appearances last season. He has never hit well at Triple-A for an extended time either.

 

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Red Sox Sign Shortstop Stephen Drew to One-Year Deal