This guy is one Sox fan that I can respect. The authors of that site always have something intelligent to say and they're right on target again about JD Drew. (although I think they might be a little bit nutty at the end of that post I linked to when they tried to say that Drew has been better than Manny) If only the guys at that site posted more. But I encourage you to read what little they do right.

The rest of Red Sox Nation and the media, however, are getting a little ahead of themselves about JD Drew. The guy is already the most hated Sox player to never put on the uniform. There are anti-Drew petitions out there and I wouldn't be surprised if the street vendors are already printing up their "Jeter Sucks, Drew Swallows" t-shirts. But I think you really need to give the guy a chance. He's a good player and there are no real reasons to not give him a chance.

#1 - He's injury prone

Yeah, he was in 2002 and 2003. In '01 and '05 his seasons were cut short by a broken wrist via a HBP, but those were hardly his fault and hardly make him injury prone. The last three years that HBP was the only real injury he had and he's put up some very impressive numbers. And let's say he does go down with an injury...not to worry, the Sox are prepared. They still have Wily Mo to step in, Youk can play the outfield, and there's still plenty of time to grab some guys for the bench. When Drew is healthy, and chances are that he'll be healthy for most of the season, he's going to put up numbers.

#2 - He's not worth the money

Juan Pierre, leader of the free world in outs created, times caught stealing, and weak hit singles, just got a contract for $9 mil a year. He's likely going to hurt his new team more than he'll help it. Gary Mathews Jr, a guy who has had 1 half way decent year, just received a contract for $10 mil a year. In his one career year he still managed just 19 homers, 79 RBI, and a SLG of .495. Middle relievers are being handed $5 mil a year. In a market where I could probably command $2 million a year JD Drew is worth $15 million. It's a sad baseball world we live in, but those are the facts now. Mediocre players get $10 million and the stars cash hin. Hell, we all know how the Sox just paid $51 million just so they could talk to a guy. If you're worried about the Red Sox turning into the Yankees and how they're trying to buy a championship, don't be. They passed that point years ago. $15 million a year for Drew seems like a lot, and it is, but it's just money and in today's market that's what they have to give him.

#3 - His teammates don't like him...they even call him Nancy Drew!

Yeah....and what's your point? You don't play with the guy, so what the hell do you care? I suppose '04 spoiled Sox fans and now everyone thinks that a baseball team should be all hugs and sunshine. But if you put any random 25 guys in a room it's damn near impossible for all of them to like eachother. Human beings just can't get along and baseball players are no different. The Red Sox don't need to be buddies, they just need to win ballgames. And Drew can help them do that. Alex Cora thinking that Drew is some kind of asshole will make all kinds of headlines here in Boston, but it won't make a damn bit of difference in the standings and that's the only place where it matters.

#4 - We have Wily Mo Pena why don't we just stick with what we have now?

Because then we'd have Joe AAAA as our 4th outfielder. Besides, Drew is worlds ahead of Pena in every area of the game except power. When Pena guesses right he can hit the ball a long way. But Drew has some power of his own. And he gets on base a helluva lot more. Plus he has a good arm, good range, and is good on the basepaths. Drew can do everything well while Pena can only guess and hope for the best. Having Pena come off the bench as a 4th outfielder/pinch hitter is great. Having Pena start every day would be acceptable, but when you have the option of upgrading you have to go for it. The fact that Pena was traded for Arroyo is completely irrellevant and doesn't factor into playing time at all.

#5 - He'll wilt under the pressure in Boston

Well, maybe if you'd stop being such a dumbass and would give the guy a chance that wouldn't be much a factor now, would it? There's no evidence that Drew won't step up to the plate. Just because he's not well liked by his teammates doesn't mean that he won't be well liked by Boston if the media and fans would just back off and give him a chance.

Now that those reasons are shot down, are there any good reasons why we should want JD Drew? Yep. Because he's an assett in every aspect of the game. He can run the bases. He has an arm. He can do a good job playing in center or in right. He gets on base. He has power. He even manages to keep his strikeouts low. That doesn't matter so much, but we all know how Boston hates strikeouts. We want the guy on our team.