J.D. Drew Mindful of Red Sox Cancellation Clause?

It's not often remembered, but hidden in the fine print of J.D. Drew's $70 million, five-year contract is a stipulation that the Red Sox can release the 34-year-old outfielder if it is determined that his abilities have been significantly impaired as the result of shoulder injuries sustained before he came to Boston.

Having reached a personal, Red Sox high of 24 homers while batting .279 in 137 games last year, Drew so far has had little reason to fear that he will lose his job. Perhaps mindful, however, that baseball careers can end in an instant, Drew is taking no chances.

Drew began pre-season conditioning last month after being shut down for yet another shoulder surgery in October, this one to remove bone spurs so aggravating that he was unable to play last season without being treated with two cortisone injections.

"I had...days when it was a lot worse than others," Drew recently told The Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin. "The worst part of it was the batting cage and...repetition of swinging the bat. (It) kind of got it aggravated."

Even though the condition worsened as the season wore on, he hit .355 with 12 homers and 30 RBI in the second half of the season, not counting an 0-22 streak immediately after the All-Star game. With that kind of potential, the Red Sox won't begrudge a little downtime for him, if that's what it takes to keep him healthy.

It's a much better alternative than voiding his contract.

Stephen Strasburg: What's Not to Like? Well...

With masterful control, a 100-mph fastball and an ability to strikeout an average of two batters an inning, what's not to like about anticipated No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg.

Well, to hear The New York Times tell it, his problem is the company he keeps.

Columnists Fred Bierman and Benjamin Hoffman -- writing in the current edition of the newspaper's weekly "Spotlight" feature -- note that the 6-foot-five, 220-pound righty is represented by agent Scott Boros, who has been known to hold out for multi-million-dollar signing bonuses.

Having a 7-0 win-loss mark and 1.49 ERA for the San Diego State Aztecs, the starting figure for Strasburg's services could approach a record $20 million, if anyone is willing to pay it, let alone the lowly Washington Nationals, who have the first selection in the June draft.

Even if Strasburg slides down the pecking order to wealthier buyers, Boros likely will continue to hold teams' feet to the fire. Bierman and Hoffman point out that Boros has gone so far as to let clients such as J.D. Drew and Luke Hochever -- to name just two -- play for independent minor league teams before allowing them to sign a contract without meeting Boros' price.

Red Sox Close to Adding Kotsay

After receiving the news that All-Star J.D. Drew is headed to the DL, the Red Sox moved quickly and are close to adding Braves centerfielder Mark Kotsay.  The veteran, known as much for his defensive prowess as his oft-injured back, is batting .289 this season, coincidentally the same clip at which Drew was hitting prior to his injury.  While Kotsay may be able to duplicate Drew's average, his power numbers fall well short of Drew's level of production.  Compared to 19 home runs and 64 RBIs for Drew, Kotsay has contributed only 6 and 37 respectively.  Kotsay has a limited no-trade clause and Boston is making a concerted effort to convince him to waive it.

Poll: Dodgers Biggest Winner in Three-Way Trade

A poll of more than 21,000 CBSsportsline.com subscribers showed that as of midnight EST Thursday a decisive majority believed the Dodgers got best of the deal in the three-way trade involving Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, Pirates outfielder Jason Bay and Dodgers third baseman Andy La Roche.

The deal gives the Dodgers a big, mid-lineup slugger in Ramirez, 36, who becomes a free-agent at the end of the year with no options. Meanwhile Bay, 29, goes to the Red Sox and will remain under Boston's control until the end of next year.

The Pirates received from the Dodgers third baseman Andy LaRoche, 22, brother of first baseman Adam LaRoche, and pitching prospect Bryan Morris, 21. From the Red Sox the Pirates received prospects Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss, both 24.

Asked which of the three teams benefited the most, poll respondents said the Dodgers, 51 percent, the Red Sox, 26 percent and the Pirates 24 percent.

In addition to the personnel moves, the Red Sox also are paying $7 million of the $20 million still owed to Ramirez this year.

Though reaction has been mixed in Boston, many fans expressed gladness that Ramirez and his difficult personality had been purged, a reaction somewhat reminiscent of the reaction in Los Angeles when often overrated Dodgers outfielder J.D. Drew opted out of his contract to go to the Red Sox.

Kielty Crazy for Coco Trade

Bobby Kielty's reluctant acquiescance to accept a minor-league assignment at Pawtucket seems to indicate his inside knowledge that the Red Sox are continuing to try to deal Coco Crisp.

If that assumption proves correct, it seems most peculiar in light of the fact that J.D. Drew is up to his old tricks on the trainer's table, which would greatly enhance the value of Crisp as a reserve.