Report: Nationals, Drew agree to 1-year, $3-million deal

Less than a week after reportedly landing second baseman Daniel Murphy, the Washington Nationals dipped back into the free-agent market for a shortstop, agreeing Tuesday to a one-year, $3-million contract with Stephen Drew, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

The deal allows Drew - who was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004 when current Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was their scouting director - to earn another $1.25 million through incentives.

Despite battling both injury and inconsistency in recent years, Drew could serve as Washington's primary shortstop in 2016 in lieu of Trea Turner, the 22-year-old rookie who was tentatively poised to handle the position despite hitting just .225/.295/.325 (68 OPS+) in 2015 through his first 27 MLB games.

The Nationals may opt not to anoint an everyday shortstop, however, preferring instead to alternate between Drew, Turner, and Danny Espinosa, depending on the matchup.

Though Drew successfully revived his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 following a litany of injuries, the 32-year-old has struggled over the past two seasons spent mostly with the New York Yankees. In 2014, Drew hit just .162/.237/.299 while managing -1 WAR in 85 games before enjoying a modest bounce-back this past season, when he posted a .652 OPS while smacking 17 homers in 131 games for the Yankees.