Just for Closure

Here's the other part of the asinine equation: JD Drew vs. Luis "My Power is Gone because I can't Shoot Up Steroids Anymore" Gonzalez:

Gonzo (17 seasons):
Career BA: .284
Career OBP: .368
Career OPS: .852 (OPS+: 121)
H/average: 166
R/average: 92
RBI/average: 93
HR/average: 23
BB/average: 74

In an average year, Luis Gonzalez makes 373 outs, or one out every 1.5 plate appearances.

JD Drew (9 seasons):
Career BA: .286
Career OBP: .393
Career OPS: .905 (OPS+: 133)
H/average: 153
R/average: 102
RBI/average: 86
HR/average: 27
BB/average: 89

In an average season, Drew makes 262 outs, or one out every 1.6 plate appearances.

Gonzalez's numbers are really, really good, especially compared to Juan Pierre (there is really no legitimate basis for comparing them, but I just did). Except for HR, RBI, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging %), though, Kenny Lofton is a good comparison for Luis Gonzalez.

JD Drew's numbers are downright spectacular, though he has a thing with being injured for long stretches--note the fewer hits, which is a function of never playing a full season. Now that he's headed to the AL, where he can DH, he might finally get in 162 games a year. But, injuries aside, there is clearly no basis, none at all, for Jon Heyman to have ever claimed that Luis Gonzalez is a passable substitute for JD Drew. And, injuries? Gonzo is 38 years-old; Drew is 30. I'm guessing Gonzo has fewer games left in the tank than Drew this season.