Red Sox ink Drew to $9.5M contract

BOSTON • The Boston Red Sox moved forward with their strategy of giving free agents short-term contracts by reaching a $9.5-million, one-year agreement with shortstop Stephen Drew. A person familiar with the negotiations said Drew will take a physical before the deal can be finalized. Drew hit .250 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 39 games for the Oakland Athletics last season after being traded by Arizona on Aug. 20. In 40 games with the Diamondbacks, he hit .193 with two homers and 12 RBIs. Drew, 29, is the brother of former Boston outfielder J.D. Drew and had been with Arizona for his entire bigleague career until the trade.