J D Drew’s Contract With Boston Red Sox Contains Contingency Clauses
By Michael Williams (3/6/2007)
J D Drew became a free agent when he opted out of the last three years of his five year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The contract was worth $55 million. After becoming a free agent, Drew was pursued by the Boston Red Sox who were looking to upgrade the right field and the no. 5 spot. Trot Nixon has been playing the right field while Jason Varitek was at the no. 5 spot.
Finally after discussing the contract and its terms and conditions for 50 days, Scott Boras, Drew’s agent, announced that Drew and Red Sox have agreed to a five year contract worth $70 million. The finalizing of the contract took so long because the Red Sox wanted some sort of security incase Drew’s shoulder, which was repaired after a surgery, started acting up.
As per the contract, Drew will be paid $14 million in each season from 2007 to 2010. He would get another $14 million in 2011, though $9 million would be delayed and charged 1 percent interest unless he plays 550 games in the first four years or 375 games from 2008 to 2010. The Red Sox will be able to annulled the last two years of the contract if Drew spends 35 days on the disabled list in 2009. Red Sox would be able to also void the contract if Drew finishes the 2009 season on the disabled list and cannot play the outfield in 2010.
The contract includes an MVP bonus of $200,000, with $125,000 for second, $100,000 for the third, $75,000 for the fourth and $50,000 for fifth. He will get bonuses of $100,000 for winning a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or World Series MVP. If he wins the league championship series MVP, then he would be given a bonus of $75,000. Drew would be given a further bonus of $50,000 if he makes it to the All-Star team.
Though the contract has been finalized, Red Sox have still not added Drew to their 40-man roster. |