The Red Sox made calculated Qualifying Offers to Stephen Drew and Mike Napoli, where they pretty much know that Ellsbury will decline. It is this writer’s opinion that both Napoli and Drew should accept their deals.  Both of them would still be young enough in next year’s Free Agency Market, plus they would not be guaranteed to make much more money for their 2014 contracts, and are not guaranteed of being on a contender like the Boston franchise.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer): Follow @stokes_hunter21

Follow The MLB Reports On Twiter Follow @mlbreports

When the list of Qualifying Offers first unfolded the other day, I have to admit, I was surprised to see that Stephen Drew was on the list.

By virtue of the Red Sox doing this move, they have made it impossible for any other team to bid on Drew, as the compensatory pick is probably too much to give up.

This is a smart move for Boston, who didn’t want to lose the guy, and were smart enough to only offer a year deal to him.

Obviously the cash is more than he is worth, but offsetting the cost is the mere fact it only a one year risk.

Curtis Granderson’s 3 HRs in 1st 4 Innings, April.19/2012

The Yankees offered QO’s to Kuroda, Granderson and Cano. While Cano is going to command twice the amount of money per year, as the 2014 QO – Granderson and Kuroda should take their deals. Kuroda will take the New York offer – or head back to Japan, and Granderson’s swing is perfect for Yankee Stadium. Let’s all remember he was anemic vs LHP when he first arrived in the Bronx. Leaving would be a mistake.  The ‘Grandy Man”  would make a killing in next year’s market if he could put up a 30+ HR campaign – and score 100 runs like he did in the 2011 and 2012 years.  Teams may refrain from paying him big $ based the “Yankee Stadium” effect, plus having to forfeit the 1st Round pick.

13  QO List

Mike Napoli, (32)  BOS – Napoli should take this deal.  He is suited for the Boston lineup, and no other team will pay a bunch of cash for a guy who has a history of injury.

There are a lot of teams that could logically use a 1B, however that price tag range will scare clubs off.

Stephen Drew, (30) BOS –  As explained above, Drew should take the deal.  If not, he may be taking less money out there.

Jacoby Ellsbury, (29) BOS – He doesn’t have to accept the deal, and could make the most dollars by anyone else not named Cano.  Seattle, Texas and Chicago should be the frontrunners.  If I am Boston, I play Jackie Bradley JR. and steer clear from the big contract.

Hiroki Kuroda, (38) NYY – $14.1 MIL is a lot of money for a 1 YR Deal, and if Kuroda wants to play in North America, this is a great deal to accept.  Good for the Yankees to offer this, so he doesn’t sign with another MLB team without compensation.

Robinson Cano, (30) NYY – I think the man will re-sign with New York.  His bargaining power died on the vine – when the Dodgers turned around their season, changes were not going to be needed.

Curtis Granderson, (32) NYY – Absolutely 100%, he should take this cash.  Think about it Grandy Man, you might not even be worth that amount of money anywhere else but in New York.

Beltran could really cement his folklore in St. Louis if he takes the Qualifying Offer. If the team can bring him back for 1 more year, it will strengthen their trade possibilities for a Short Stop or Starting Pitcher by retaining all of their assets.  Beltran, 36, hit 56 HRs and added 181 RBI in 1101 AB for 2012 – 2013.

Carlos Beltran, (36) STL – If Beltran really wants to have the best chance at a championship, there are only a few other teams better situated to make it back to the dance next year.

Maybe Beltran wants to move to the AL and DH.  Since Detroit and Boston already have guys signed, Tampa. Cleveland won’t spend money, where KC has a guy already, the only 2 teams that seem a perfect fit are the Yankees or Cardinals.

Take the $$ with St. Louis Beltran.  If you sign with them, they will also be able to acquire more talent via trade, considering they hold onto their asset.

It would be a bonanza for the Cardinals to have Beltran back for another season.  Beltran has really done damage in the Post Season – with a 1.128 OPS in 180 AB.  The OF added 15 RBI in 17 Games Played during the 2013 playoffs.

Shin-Soo Choo, (31) CIN – Choo will turn this down, and should receive the 3rd most amount of cash out of these players to Cano and Ellsbury.  He may be the best deal with that OBP difference – in terms of value.

Kendrys Morales, (30) SEA – Morales could probably make some more money if he doesn’t accept the offer.  Maybe even the Mariners would offer him additional years.

Morales must take a look at his situation as a DH.  Only the Rangers, Angels, Yankees, Mariners, Indians or Orioles make sense for the guy to sign with.

Teams that don’t need a DH are the Tigers and Red Sox.  Morales should decline the offer, but remain with Seattle, if they can come to terms on a 2 – 3 year deal about $11 – $13 MIL per year.

Jimenez was on top of the world in 2010, with a 15-  1start, and a no – hitter, he then had 3 years of futility (23 – 37 Record and continuous escalation of  his ERA to north of 5)  before a sharp 2nd half turnaround in 2013. Take the QO Jimenez, as many teams will look at that stretch.

Ubaldo Jimenez, (29) CLE – Think twice about this Jimenez, your career was about ten seconds from a toe – tag before your 2nd half in 2013.  Now that you pitched decently, you should take the money.

Even though the Free Agent Starting Pitchers is scarce, I doubt most of them will make $14 MIL next year.  Consider it a great deal that is a $6 MIL upgrade over your [revious Player Option.

Jimenez was awesome in the 2nd half of 2013, with a 6 – 5 record, but a 1.82 ERA in 13 Game Starts, but I just can’t ignore the timeframe from mid 2010 – mid 2013. Take the offer Ubaldo!

Nelson Cruz, (33) TEX –  Don’t take it…With not many pure power hitters out there, Cruz should decline the offer.  He may not receive more than about a 2 or 3 year deal because teams will want to see him without the PED use.

He may sign for 2 – 3 years at $12 – 14 MIL a year anyway.  There are enough teams that need help on the market.

Brian McCann,  (29) ATL:  Decline it McCann.  If I were you, the Yankees , Rangers and Red Sox could enter a bidding war for your service.  6 YRs/$90 – 100 MIL is the range he could request.

It is my belief, if he is willing to backload the contract with New York, that they would offer him the most $ out of the three.

Ervin Santana, (30) KC – Don’t take it Santana.  He has a history of logging  a lot of Innings, and for the most part of his career, he has pitched consistently.

Could command $13 – 16 MIL for a 3 or  4 year deal.  Philadelphia, New York Yankees, Atlanta, San Francisco, Minnesota and Baltimore should all show some interest – even though Baltimore may not.

McCann picked the perfect time to hit the Free Agency Market – with high salaried teams like Boston, New York, Texas and Philadelphia all without a Catcher. While Atlanta doesn’t need him because of Gattis, it all depends on how interested McCann is to signing with the Yankees. If he agrees to a lower base in the 2014 year, and backloads his contract term, it is my belief that the Yankees will offer the 30 year old the most dough. McCann has clubbed 20+ HRs in 7 of his 8 seasons, including smacking 20 in 2013 – in just 356 AB. His Career 3 Slash is .277/.350/.823.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners ***

A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Chief Writer‘ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured article.  Hunter is a Baseball Writer for MLB reports.

Hunter grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and played baseball with Sheldon Bream (Sid Bream‘s son) at Liberty University in the NCAA.

His favorite player is Brian Wilson (how could you guess?), and he hates when people can’t think outside the box! 

His favorite expression – is ‘drive that one out that out and you have 110 LBS worth of crap in a 100 pound sack!

You can reach Hunter on Twitter  Follow @stokes_hunter21

Please e-mail us at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

Like us on Facebook here