Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Will J.D. Drew break the bank -- or his career?

Posted: Sat May 23, 1998 at 11:43 AM ET

Drew has spent this season with the St. Paul Saints    (CNN/SI)

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN/SI) -- In the spring of 1997, Florida State outfielder J.D. Drew was the best player in college baseball, a versatile talent the Phillies hoped would be a vital part of their rebuilding program. But Drew's salary demands and the Phillies' best offer are miles apart.

Seeking a loophole that would allow his client to sign with the highest bidder, Drew's agent, Scott Boras, had the young outfielder join the St. Paul Saints, who are not affiliated with a major league team. Boras now contends that since Drew has been playing professional baseball, he is not eligible to be drafted again. Meanwhile, the Phillies' offer remains on the table.

"We felt that there was inconsistent behavior on the part of major league clubs in the marketplace," said Scott Boras, Drew's agent. "He decided that this was a course of conduct necessary for him to receive fair treatment among the teams."

Ed Wade, Phillies general manager said: "We just have to wait now and hope that they respond favorably to our offer at some point and decide that playing baseball is better than being Exhibit A in all these different proceedings.

The Phillies offer includes a record signing bonus of $2.6 million. All of the other top picks from last year's draft are signed and are working their way toward the big leagues, while Drew loses precious time in St. Paul.

MULTIMEDIA

Curt Schilling feels that J.D. Drew is not being handled well by his agent Audio (192K) Gregg Jefferies thinks Drew has some things to prove in the field before he signs a big contract Audio (160K) Rex Hudler is ready to offer Drew the shirt off of his back Audio (160K)

ALSO

Phils, Boras agree to contract talks

MESSAGE BOARDS

Is Drew making a mistake by not signing with the Phillies? If he re-enters the draft, will a team take a chance on him? Join the discussions on the CNN/SI Baseball Message Board!

SEARCH CNN/SI

"He's getting screwed," said Phillies ace Curt Schilling. "I don't think it's any question. Scott's done him a great disservice. But he's a 21-year-old kid, and as much as you want to say he's a grown man, there's a lot of things at 21 you don't know about this business."

Phillies left fielder Gregg Jefferies knows the economic climate of the game has changed, but believes a player still must prove his worth before he can demand the big bucks.

"I guarantee you he's not as good as Ken Griffey Jr.," said Jefferies. "Junior didn't make that money when he signed. I know it's different times, but you've got to get him on the field first to see what he can do."

The Phillies are still hoping to strike a deal with Drew, but that is unlikely. Chances are, Drew will re-enter the draft, which poses a dilemma to any team that selects him: That club could hit the same brick wall that the Phillies encountered. And Boras is expected to file a lawsuit that could result in Drew's being declared a free agent, which would nullify this year's draft, and place baseball's entire draft system in jeopardy.

"When you start to make exceptions, or you start allowing situations that go outside the rules -- that extremely bend the rules or even break the rules -- then I think it really determines that the draft is null and void and really takes away the structure of the draft and the value of the draft," said Baltimore Assistant general manager Kevin Malone.

Wade said: "One of the principles that we live by is you play by the rules or you work to exact change in the rules, but you don't spend your time trying to circumvent them or find loopholes."

Almost lost amid the legal wrangling is the cost to a bright prospect whose major league career could be on indefinite hold.

"I think the big question here is Scott Boras willing to risk a second year of professional baseball for J.D. Drew?" Schilling wondered. "I don't imagine J.D. wants to sit out another day if he has to. If he goes back into the draft, I would assume that somebody's gonna take him and sit on him and if he doesn't sign for what they want, he's gonna sit out another year."

All things considered, Wade questions if this holdout will pay off -- financially and professionally -- for Drew.

"He missed the opportunity to get his pro career started," said Wade. "He missed the opportunity to go to an instructional league, which we think is important. He didn't play winter ball, he missed his first spring training camp and he missed his first full season of professional baseball at this date. I don't know, when you take everything into consideration, that his best interests have been served in this whole process."