Dodger outfielder J.D. Drew has exercised an opt-out clause in his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and has elected to become a free agent.
Drew was guaranteed $11 million per year for the next three years under his old contract. Given this market, where the Phillies are apparently offering Alfonso Soriano 5 years, $80 million, and Carlos Lee is looking at something like 5 years, $70 million, opting out was a no-brainer for Drew -- who is better than Lee and Soriano, and is about the same age as those two.
Drew's numbers are impressive...he had a .306 EQA last season, and has a career .306 EQA, as well. He can't stay healthy -- he set a career high in games last season, with 146, and has played in 110 games in a season only four teams -- but when healthy, he puts up terrific OBPs and hits for power.
I'm expecting him to get something like 4 years, $50 million, and I'm also expecting the Rangers to be interested in him. He'll be a better deal than either Lee or Soriano, most likely.