Justin Masterson Rumors

Rangers Rumors: Byrd, Valverde, Littleton

We haven't discussed the Rangers much lately. Let's take a look at the latest from MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan (here and here). Hat tip: The Newberg Report. The interest shown in Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla has been "tentative at best." Rangers GM Jon Daniels wants Clay Buchholz from the Red Sox for one of his catchers, but Sullivan says the Sox made it clear Buchholz is not available under any circumstances. Sullivan suggests the Sox might be more inclined to trade Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden if they bolster their minor league pitching depth by signing Junichi Tazawa. Sullivan wonders...   Continue Reading

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Looking Beyond Varitek

According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, a slew of catchers are being shopped to the Red Sox. Among them: Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli, Brian Schneider, Miguel Montero, John Buck, Ramon Hernandez, Bengie Molina, Carlos Santana, Kelly Shoppach, Victor Martinez, Jesus Flores, Kenji Johjima, Jeff Clement, Yorvit Torrealba, and the Rangers' guys. Silverman says the Braves, Cardinals, and Rays also have catchers available. It seems that teams are asking for players like Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz, or Lars Anderson in some cases. On the Jason Varitek front, Scott Boras told the AP yesterday that he's had no financial discussions...   Continue Reading

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Crisp-Ramirez Trade Reactions

The Red Sox traded center fielder Coco Crisp to the Royals for reliever Ramon Ramirez today; tip of the cap to Brian McRae for the scoop. Let's round up the reactions and consequences. MLB.com's Dick Kaegel says Royals GM Dayton Moore will now attempt to rebuild his bullpen, perhaps by trading an outfielder or first baseman. Kaegel says "word from Chicago downplays the Cubs' reputed interest" in Mark Teahen. MLB.com's Ian Browne says Red Sox GM Theo Epstein will bring in a fourth outfielder to replace Crisp. Browne suggests free agents Gabe Kapler or Rocco Baldelli. Ken Davidoff says the...   Continue Reading

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Gammons' Latest: Penny, Jenks, Salty

Let's take a look at Peter Gammons' Saturday blog post. Gammons indicates that Brad Penny is working hard this offseason, and teams such as the Cardinals, Red Sox, Rangers, and Blue Jays "appreciate" his past success. The Mets are apparently worried about Bobby Jenks' declining strikeout rate, a sentiment echoed by Joel Sherman. Sherman talked to a Mets official who said the chances of acquiring Jenks are "close to zero." The Rangers apparently wanted Clay Buchholz or two of Justin Masterson/Nick Hagadone/Michael Bowden for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Red Sox aren't biting. The Rangers would probably have to trade Hank Blalock...   Continue Reading

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Rangers Rumors: Blalock, Blake, Catchers

Next up we'll dig into the latest Rangers rumors, courtesy of Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The Rangers are expected to pick up their $6.2MM option on Hank Blalock today. It doesn't seem that Blalock will spend much time at third base if he's with the Rangers in 2009. Instead, he'd play first and DH. Of course, a trade is possible. The Rangers may look at outside options for third base, and they've been in touch with Casey Blake's agent. The Rangers have an eye on defense, which might rule out Garrett Atkins. Grant finds Joe Crede questionable,...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox To Pursue Peavy?

The Red Sox could make a pitch for Jake Peavy, according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald. "It stands to reason the Padres would want two of the team’s three best young arms - Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Justin Masterson - plus another position player. If the Sox were to include highly regarded first baseman Lars Anderson in a package with two of their best pitching prospects, talks between the clubs would certainly become interesting. But officials with other clubs believe the Sox consider Anderson to be virtually untouchable." Beyond the names mentioned above, Sox prospects Ryan Kalish...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Posada, Uribe, Wise, Red Sox

Today's links... Jorge Posada could rejoin the Yankees as early as Wednesday (a few reports suggested Tuesday). Kat O'Brien of Newsday says the Yanks will hold on to both Jose Molina and Chad Moeller for "a while" after Posada returns, but as Peter Abraham points out on the LoHud Yankees blog, the Yankees have a real need for a set-up man now that Joba Chamberlain is starting. Juan Uribe has been activated from the 15-day DL, and although Ozzie Guillen said he wasn't guaranteed playing time, they had to make room on the roster nonetheless. DeWayne Wise was designated for...   Continue Reading

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On The Hot Seat: Giambi, Hafner, Sexson, Timlin

I love lists, and here's one from Peter Abraham at The Journal News that details who he thinks is in the hot seat. In other words, who might be traded or released if current trends continue. There are a number of managers and GMs on the list, but we like to focus on players here. I'm going to go through the list and take stabs-in-the-dark whether a player is likely to be dealt or if they're just fluff for Mr. Abraham's article - and then we can discuss in the comments. Jason Giambi - An announcer this year said that...   Continue Reading

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Latest Johan Santana Rumors

UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 2:54pm: Jon Heyman puts the Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets as the three leading suitors for Johan. Matthew Cerrone, however, believes the Rangers, rather than the Yanks, are the third leading suitor. FROM 12-11-07 at 8:52am: Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has the latest buzz surrounding the Johan Santana trade talks. The Red Sox and Twins talked yesterday, and the Twins are leading toward Jacoby Ellsbury rather than Jon Lester. Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson would also be included, and the sides are trying to figure out a fourth player. The Yanks and Twins haven't talked..   Continue Reading

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Johan Santana Rumors: Tuesday

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 11:00pm: LENIII says that despite their public proclamations, the Yanks haven't told the Twins they're out on Johan. Neal recommends you go to bed anyway. UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 10:28: A new team is in the mix for Johan, but barely. The Rangers talked to the Twins today about what it would take, but they're not expected to pursue it much further. UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 10:05pm: Talks are expected to re-open in about an hour, after the execs have dinner. UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 8:21pm: Theo Epstein expects negotiations with the Twins to carry "well into the night." He..   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Leading For Santana?

UPDATE, 11-29-07 at 10:30pm: The Yankees' offer stands at Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, and maybe Jose Tabata. Phil Hughes is a big upgrade over Kennedy, and the Twins are insisting on him. Meanwhile the Red Sox are still pushing Coco Crisp while the Twins are holding out for Jacoby Ellsbury. If one of the teams cracks on Hughes or Ellsbury this thing might get done. UPDATE, 11-29-07 at 8pm: Despite what Jon Heyman said, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo seems to think the Red Sox are still in the lead for Santana. It would be the package named below by..   Continue Reading

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"Pretty Good" Chance Of Red Sox Getting Dye?

UPDATE: Edes says it would be Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson as the pitcher. UPDATE 2: Now Edes is saying that the Red Sox are not close to a deal for Dye. They are currently refusing to give up Delcarmen or Masterson. Things are heating up...Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe has a Major League source indicating that the Red Sox have a "pretty good" chance of completing a trade for Jermaine Dye. The White Sox would apparently receive Wily Mo Pena and a pitching prospect other than Jon Lester or Clay Buccholz. That could still leave Michael Bowden, Daniel..   Continue Reading

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