The Coqui brought back a familiar face last week with some surprise he was still on the market.
Last October, outfielder Michael Drew wanted out of San Juan, determined to test the free agent market after several years of settling for deals less than $1 million. No interested parties stepped up, however, and the 33-year old returned on a one-year deal for $1.1 million.
Not flashy by any means, Drew is a singles hitting backup by most standards but, like his low contract asks, he has been consistent at it. His batting average has ranged between .260 and .280 the past three years. He is reliable in the outfield with a rocket of an arm. And since 2025 he has stolen 32 bases in 37 attempts.
“He hits righties and lefties equally and can aptly play either corner of the outfield,” says General Manager Mike Best. “He’s smart and he works hard. I’m not sure why a team wouldn’t want a roster spot for him. Thankfully he changed his mind about coming back to San Juan.”
San Juan also signed two aging shortstops to fill a gaping hole and there is question whether either will do that. Veteran Phil Anderson drew some headlines that might help the sagging ticket sales but he is coming off a season where he hit .182. Lonnie Dixon, meanwhile, played his way out of the major leagues a year ago despite respectable .250, .318, .397 numbers over his career. The two are likely to platoon and at ages 35 and 33 respectively the team only made a one year commitment to them. Joining the mix will be 26-year old Rafael Vega, who has hit .270 and .288 his last couple years in AAA.
What all three possess is elite defense. That was the biggest complaint with Gil Sterling last season and, at the moment, the team has no plans to bring back three-time all-star whose range noticeably deteriorated. The team would rather maximize Shigekazu Shimizu’s skills by keeping him primarily at second base and take its chances with a glove man at short for the moment.
Defensively the Coqui should indeed be solid but whether that will keep them from losing 100 games again is in debate.
“We might not be able to hit or pitch but at least we’ll be able to catch and throw,” joked one front office employee.