There haven't been recent discussions between the Red Sox and Stephen Drew, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. "Yeah we've had off-and-on dialogue, nothing too recent, but certainly we're leaving the door open still," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said. The Sox have been busy with the recent signings of A.J. Pierzynski and Mike Napoli, but they go into the Winter Meetings with few holes to fill. It sounds like Cherington is OK with the idea of going forward with Xander Bogaerts as the team's starting shortstop, meaning any deal with Drew would likely be one that makes sense for the team. Drew has yet to draw notable interest from any other teams thus far this offseason.

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe believes that re-signing Stephen Drew remains an possibility for the Red Sox. Abraham cautions detractors not to underestimate how much the Red Sox like the veteran shortstop. His market has been incredibly quiet this winter, and the World Champions would love to bring him back at a discount to provide defensive stability at shortstop while having an insurance policy in case Will Middlebrooks falters at third base.

John Tomase of the Boston Herald believes that re-signing Stephen Drew is still a plausible option for the Red Sox. With Drew's list of potential suitors starting to dwindle in recent weeks, a reunion with the Red Sox could make sense. It would provide the World Champions insurance in the event that Xander Bogaerts isn't ready to take over full-time, or if Will Middlebrooks continues to struggle. As Tomase notes, the Red Sox also have leverage in negotiations, as they are the one team that wouldn't have to forfeit a draft pick to sign him.

A team source told WEEI's Rob Bradford that the Red Sox "haven't closed the door" on re-signing Stephen Drew. Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston wrote Thursday morning that the Red Sox had already ruled Drew out, but no decision like that has been made. The 30-year-old free agent is asking for a big contract and the Sox can go with Xander Bogaerts at shortstop if the price gets too high, but both sides will let the market play out first.

Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston heard from a source that Stephen Drew will not return to the Red Sox. Red Sox management had interest in bringing Drew back, but the free agent shortstop is seeking a contract that soars well beyond Boston's offseason budget. Drew turned down a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer last week, so he'll net a draft pick for the Sox when he signs elsewhere this winter. Xander Bogaerts will likely start at shortstop and Will Middlebrooks will presumably man third base in 2014.

Stephen Drew will not accept Boston's qualifying offer. It would have been a one-year, $14.1 million contract and the Scott Boras client has his sights set much higher. The team that signs Drew this winter will have to forfeit a top draft pick. Unless that team is the Red Sox.

David Lennon of Newsday reports that the Mets will meet with Scott Boras this week to discuss free agents Stephen Drew and Shin-Soo Choo. Lennon notes that if the Mets acquire Drew to play shortstop, they could potentially move Ruben Tejada to second base and shift Daniel Murphy to a corner outfield spot. The Mets have money to spend, and several holes to fill this offseason, so talking with Boras early on seems to be a great place to start.

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that "a bunch of teams (are) moving quick" on Stephen Drew. There had been some thought that Drew might accept the Red Sox' one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer, but that's now looking unlikely. Drew had a great year defensively and hit .253 with a .777 OPS for the Red Sox in 2013. The shortstop's agent, Scott Boras, recently told CBS Sports that "Drew is in the top five offensively and defensively at his position." That might be a stretch, but he obviously has no shortage of suitors.

MLB.com's Peter Gammons was told by a general manager that Stephen Drew's agent, Scott Boras, has set up "a number" of meetings for his client at next week's GM meetings. The GM also told Gammons that the Red Sox can "forget" about Drew accepting their $14.1 million qualifying offer. The shortstop wound up having to take a one-year, $9.5 million deal last winter, but he had a bounce-back season and will have no trouble netting a multi-year pact from someone this offseason.

Red Sox manager John Farrell wants free agent shortstop Stephen Drew to return to Boston. Drew received a one-year, $14.1 million qualifying offer from the Red Sox on Monday, but he's expected to turn it down to seek a multi-year deal. Of course, that contract could come from Boston itself. "I can't sit here today and say that he's going to be back here. Personally, I'm hopeful he's back. It buys us some time, whether [Xander Bogaerts] is the guy going forward next year at shortstop or if he's at third base," said Farrell. It's a telling quote, as it seems to imply that Will Middlebrooks is out of luck if Drew returns. That scenario could render Middlebrooks an appealing trade chip.