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When the Oakland Athletics declined Stephen Drew's 2013 option the shortstop rapidly became a popular target among St. Louis Cardinals Hot Stove League veterans. J.D.'s brother would make a very nice second baseman (and Rafael Furcal insurance policy), but he's not a free agent until Saturday—and in the meantime, the Athletics are reportedly interested in signing him to a new deal.
The A's bought low on Drew at midseason, trading for him after he'd hit just .193/.290/.311 in his first 40 games following an ugly ankle injury, and it paid off; he wasn't his old self, exactly, but in 39 games with Oakland the 29-year-old hit .250/.326/.382, nearly league-average in their cavernous home park.
The A's owe Drew $1.35 million after buying out his $10 million option. On the open market the 30-year-old could command two or three years, but he's a low-AAV risk in a market that's pretty light on middle infielders with upside.