Gambo: Don’t expect Stephen Drew back next year

Stephen Drew’s days as an Arizona Diamondback are
numbered.

According to Arizona Sports 620’s John Gambadoro, the
tension between the injured shortstop and the team he
plays for is a part of will have nothing
to do with whether or not Drew returns next season.

Because, it would seem, no one expects him back anyway.

As Gambo tweeted Wednesday, “I expect the
Dbacks to get Drew back in the lineup hope he looks good &
then try to trade him as its highly unlikely he is coming
back in 13.”

At issue is Drew’s contract, which has a $10 million
mutual option for next season (with a $1.35 million
buyout), which no one expected to be
picked up. Making matters worse is the player’s seeming
lack of urgency to return to the field, a mind-set that
may be fueled by agent Scott Boras.

Still rehabbing from a broken ankle suffered last July,
Drew is just now heading to Triple-A Reno for rehab games.
The problem is, according to Gambadoro, Drew has been cleared to
play for the last month.

No one is sure when Drew will return to the field this
season for the Diamondbacks, but no matter what happens,
it appears he won’t be back with the team next year.

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