Mets Unlikely To Sign Drew

The past 48 hours has seen the market for free agent shortstop Stephen Drew heat up.  For much of the winter, Drew's market appeared to be limited to just the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets.  That's now changed, with the Oakland A's , Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins all getting involved.  As a result, Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson went on record for the first time since the winter meetings saying that its "unlikely" the team signs Drew.

In a report filed by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Alderson says:

"We haven't ruled it out, but I think doing anything is unlikely.  I think that Stephen

 will always have other opportunities. We continue to monitor his situation. We're 

looking at other free agents that are still available and trying to judge their status,

 and how they might fit with us. I know there's been a lot of speculation about Drew 

and the Mets, but at this point, that's what it remains -- speculation."

This will warrant a sour response from Mets fans who had hoped that Stephen Drew would be the final major piece added this offseason.  Drew would have fortified a lineup that was partially renovated this winter, however that no longer appears to be an option.  

As a result, it appears likely that Ruben Tejada will in fact get one final chance to claim the shortstop position as his own.  He is poised to enter spring training in what the Mets consider much better shape as he looks to regain the form that once saw him dubbed the the replacement for Jose Reyes.