“A resolution” between Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox could come at some point this month, The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham reports (Twitter link). Knee injuries limited Pedroia to just nine games in 2018-19, and he didn’t play at all during the 2020 season, with Abraham adding that Pedroia isn’t intending to make one final comeback attempt. 2021 marks the final season of the eight-year, $110MM extension Pedroia signed in July 2013, and the second baseman is owed $12MM for the coming season.
There has been an expectation that Pedroia could be cut loose in one fashion or another once the Sox were in need of a 40-man roster spot, as their 40-man is currently full. Some type of buyout rather than an outright release is probably the likelier route, since “given Dustin’s status, [the Sox will] want to do this correctly,” Abraham notes. One of the key figures in this era of Red Sox baseball, Pedroia hit .299/.365/.439 over 6777 career plate appearances (all in a Sox uniform), with a resume that includes the 2008 AL MVP Award, four All-Star appearances, and World Series rings from Boston’s 2007 and 2013 championship seasons.
Some more from Fenway Park…
- The Red Sox have asked at least one team for “a younger corner outfielder along with a minor-league pitcher not necessarily on the 40-man roster” as the trade return for Andrew Benintendi, WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford writes. While Benintendi has drawn interest from several teams, the Phillies and Reds haven’t been involved in talks. (The Rangers are also not in the mix, as Bradford originally reported last week.) Former Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is now running the Phils’ front office and the Reds have explored a Benintendi trade in the past, so there was speculation that those two clubs could be looking into acquiring Benintendi this time around.
- Chris Sale’s return from Tommy John surgery is likely to come on the higher end of the usual 12-15 month recovery timeline, as ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes that the Sox are “expected to be deliberate” in bringing the southpaw back to action. Sale underwent his TJ procedure at the end of last March, putting him on track to return in late June or early July. (Assuming the 2021 schedule goes as planned, it is easy to see a scenario where Sale doesn’t pitch until after the July 12-14 All-Star break.) Since Sale is under contract through at least the 2024 season, the club is “apt to take a conservative approach” to ensure that Sale is fully recovered and ready for 2022 and beyond, rather than rushing him in any way this season.
- The Red Sox hadn’t been in touch with Jon Lester as of December 9, Rob Bradford reported last month, and Bradford tweeted yesterday that there hadn’t been any new contact between the two sides prior to Lester’s new deal with the Nationals. While Boston has been looking at a wide range of starting pitching options this offseason, it seems like a reunion with Lester was simply not on the club’s radar.
Aquino for Benentendi?
Certainly not Jesse Winker if it includes more from the Reds. I guess you could say Nick Castellanos is still a “younger corner outfielder.”
Winkers not going anywhere…Aquino would be dealt before him
IF that is all it took the Reds should fire everyone in the front office for not accepting it.
Likely they would need to include someone like Lodolo who has actual value. Aquino outside of one month really hasn’t done anything.
The Reds aren’t trading Six years of Lodolo for One year of Benentendi. If it’s a corner OFr AND a minor league pitcher, it ain’t Lodolo
Two years of Benintendi.
Regardless…no.
Baseball Reference has him signed thru 2021 …
Andrew Benintendi comes with two more years of team control. He signed a $10MM extension to buy out his first two seasons of arbitration in 2020 ($3.4MM) and 2021 ($6.6MM). He still has one more season of arbitration eligibility remaining for 2022 before potentially becoming a free agent in 2023. You can confirm that on his Baseball Reference link if you read his contract details more thoroughly.
No way, Boston trying yo unload Benentendi because his speed has declined since his 2019 season so you get less in return and Winkler is enough! Other teams are always trying to Rob the Reds.
Had the Sox not already signed Hunter Renfroe that could have been a decent swap
really? Beni was not that long ago a superprospect and outside of last year has been a very good player. Aquino is probably a one year wonder.
One month wonder.
He was surprisingly good when he came up, I think people got a little carried away with their expectations. Good glove, good bat but nothing exceptional or superstar level.
As a reds fan I agree, but not all Aquino’s fault.. they barely used him in the 60 game season for the DH or outfield play, and instead signed a guy named Jankowski that had been pretty much a bum for most of his career.. just because he can run fast?? Terrible mgmt.. like Ives said before David Bell was.. and is a terrible decision as manager for this team. Time to fire him and hire Barry Larking as our manager for the future to come.
Kid has turned not a head case
Not sure why anyone would think the Reds would be interested. Benny is a “trying to win now” type acquisition considering he comes with only 2 years of guaranteed control. The Reds don’t fit that category at all. Neither do the Phillies for that matter, so no mystery why they aren’t interested either. I never understood why sports writers would think familiarity on the part of the FO with a player would trump making sound baseball decisions.
Who said Benentendi wants to win now? He’s young and would probably love to play for his hometown team as he grew up and attended high school in Madeira suburbs of Cincinnati
Pedroia also has a World Series ring from 2018. Just because he didn’t play much doesn’t mean they didn’t give him a ring.
While true, the other rings have far more value I’m sure to him I’m sure.
I hate to see Pedrioa’s career end like this, even following the Reds, I was a fan of his style of play and wish that he had a normal downslope to his career.
With that he’d likely be a hall of fame player, as it played out he’ll have to settle as a member of the Sox hall.
Hopefully they’ll reach a agreement to allow him to go out somewhat on his own terms.
All well said.
I could see some HOF love, since 2B is such an underrepresented position in the Hall, but Bobby Grich and Lou Whitaker should get in first.
While he was good, I don’t think his career numbers = hof. He needed a couple more years of above average play.
Yes, good job, Sox. It certainly matters to ensure that you agree to let him leave on his terms while injured, and meet his demands.
More likely The Redsox were not on Lesters radar.
not likely at all
If they can move Benintendi for a reasonable return, they may resign JBJ.
Benintendi nor his salary is keeping them from signing JBJ.
Even if it were I’d rather have Benny anyway
The notion that the Sox are looking to move Benny to save money is comical. It’s strictly a baseball move. They tried to get him to sign a long term last Spring and he wasn’t interested, which is why they could only settle on the 2 year deal they did work out. Bloom knows with Sale only available for probably half this coming season they aren’t likely to contend this year, so hanging onto Benny for a dead year and then having only one more yet at of control before being a free agent isn’t a great prospect. If they can trade him to someone who is expecting to field contending teams both this year and next, and in return get players who can be part of the next long stretch of contending teams in Boston it makes sense to look into that. That’s all that is happening here.
Right !
Much better chance in Washington and how cool must it be too mix in behind Max Stras and Corbin – Bet the dude learns a thing and probably teaches another Sp something completely different – Cool staff and as always the backbone to the Nats
True because the Sox are not willing to spend any decent $$ for pitching because John Henry is counting on Mr Bloom to find them in the Bargain Bins
The first responsibility of a GM is managing the 40-man roster. If Bloom couldn’t figure out how to shoe-horn Perez onto the roster, without sacrificing a prospect (albeit not a major one) , he failed; hard stop. The Pedroia nonsense is just a convenient excuse. Please don’t tell me John Henry can’t make a quick decision; he’s made many, in both baseball and business, worth much more money, in a shorter time.
This a last place team. “40-man” issues for such a team are just hysterically inaccurate.
Bloom has already proven to be inept. Why should 40 man management be any different than any other aspect of his performance in 2 offseasons and one regular season to date?
The only thing Bloom has really done thus far is very solid deadline trading during the 2020 season. It appears he is just going to pick around the edges this offseason. There is still time to do some things this offseason this isn’t the offseason to go for it and it appears it’s not Blooms style to go DD or Preller. He appears to be analytical and has brought that mentality from Tampa. The real test will be next offseason when the free agent class is much better and what he does then I will wait until then to start any type of Bloom bashing.
Wow we are so spoiled as Red Sox fans we want instant gratification. It’s time to show a little patience. I don’t expect this to be the best season either but I will wait and see what Bloom is building. My target is to see what the Red Sox look like before the 2022 season I expect a much better product then.
I never expected them to go all in on 2021. But I’m not sorry for wanting them to do *something*. For the amount of time and money it takes to be an invested baseball fan, the least they can do is sign some pitchers who at least look like they belong on a big league mound instead of some hobos from Pawtucket.
Nice level take Bruin; I think the 2023 opening day lineup/roster is what your going to want to look at here tho-
Next offseason Id Imagine they might want to beef up the staff for the coming years but I still think its going to be a very very slow offseason for them relatively-
After 2022 you have 53 mill falling off between Price/Eovaldi/JD and the books become clean – Also gotta understand these guys got egos, lotta new Gms wanna wipe the old start anew with “thier” guys – This all just lined up perfect for Bloom…… AS long as the purse comes back out (heavily, I think it will) in 2023 you guys have nothing to worry about, you’ll shoot right back up to a top 5 AL team in the mix every year to go to the WS
“Hobos” ROTFLMAO !!
“Wow we are so spoiled as Red Sox fans we want instant gratification.”
Maybe you but I followed them for 18 years before they got to the World Series, then another 37 before they won one.
@ ottoc -Todays History class- Since 1966 (your fandom date) World series wins
1- NYY- 7
2- Boston -4
2- Cards-4
2-Oak-4
3- LAD/Cin/Bal/Sf -3
Nobody else has more than 2 in those 55 years
You also have the most rings this century (4)….
Spoiled idk…..but the grass isnt always…….
@ Cap & Crunch – I’m sorry that what I wrote wasn’t clear enough for you but I watched the Red Sox for 54 years before they won a World Series…and I had such joys as watching them finish in 4th place in an 8-team league, 42 games out of 1st.
I’m not even a Red Sox fan but it’s hard to not admire what Dustin did over his MLB career. Too bad he was injured as much as he was.
Dbacks need to get Benintendi.
Good spot indeed
Boston departing with a star player “correctly” would be a novel approach.
Like Ortiz? Yaz? Petrocelli? I can go on and on..
Not a lot of organizations have that many TRUE all stars remain for a prolonged period finish up with same team and Yaz, Petrocelli, Teddy Ballgame.. Even Dw. Evans played 22 of 23y with the Sox and admitted afterward he should have retired.
Evans in Baltimore never should have been.
But its on the players too. “One more paycheck” “one more year”, most times they don’t know when to walk away. Ortiz knew it was time and went out on a high note rather than struggle threw a bad year. I think one of the better examples of knowing when to quit is Mike Greenwell. Greenwell played his final season at age 32, hit free agency after the 1996 season and rather than try to sign elsewhere decided to retire and bought a racing team.
We can’t fault Dustin for sticking around and collecting his paycheck but it would have been better if perhaps he and the team worked something out after the ’18 world series instead of three years later
You named three players. Try Pedro, Ellsbury, Clemens, Boggs, Tiant, Ruth, Manny, Lester, Tito (HOF manager), Nomar, Epstein (HOF front office), Crawford, Gonzalez, etc. I could go on and on.
Nomar quit on the team. Manny’s antics wore thin on Tito and everyone else. Crawford was a bust. Gonzalez was never comfortable in Boston. They Dodged a huge bullett with Ellsbury. Pedro was only healthy for one season after leaving. Boggs was 34 and looking for a four year contract and Scott Cooper was a top prospect in their organization. Tiant was 37. Clemens and Mo Vaughn Dan Duquette did dirty. Lester and Tito got bad deals. Ruth was the greatest mistake in franchise history
I can’t imagine Henry and bloom not mucking up pedey’s separation from the team.
From the pawsox and spinners, the extension/trade of Lester, whitewashing the Yawkey era,dumping homegrown mookie… even begrudging the fans having a couple million dollar piece in the cheap favorite holt return in a year they neither tried to contend nor put the roster slot to productive use.
I mean the list keeps going but it’s hard to imagine they’re going to handle this one right.
You do realize they didn’t win anything until Henry and Co came along. So many miserable, ungrateful Sox fans need to remember the years of futility. Spoiled to say the least.
Flags do fly forever. And there were some meaningful upgrades to fenway along the way.
But to say there wasn’t lots of needless/self-inflicted pain and disfunction on the trip is some forgetfulness in itself.
I remember the years of futility and heartbreak well. But as bad as those drought years were, you also didn’t have many of the pitfalls we’ve seen
This is how they’re doing it. I’ll take it. They had plenty of pitfalls and heartbreak. I think they’ll be fine. They’re building depth. The Yanks had all those studs and so far have zero rings to shoe for it. Their window is closing with Judge. They made mistakes and went on the cheap after blowing money on Stanton. They don’t want to pay lux tax either.
It’s doubtful that a team pays that for Benintendi.
Yes, indeed. He probably starts ST with the Sox. Can’t see them giving him away. Hopefully he has a strong start and either sticks with the team, or raises his trade value.
beat video game commercial ever…
pedroia: how many mvps do you know that can’t hit a high and inside fastball?
MLBtheSHOW exec: besides you?
Great player for the Sox whose career was unfortunately derailed by injuries. With the Sox actively shopping Benetendi, it seems as if they are in full on rebuild mode.
Hopefully that spoiled millionaire Dustin Pedroia does the right thing by the Red Sox billionaire owners and takes a pay cut! Otherwise, there’s no way the Red Sox will be able to afford more minor league free agents this offseason.
Here is a good trade option. Bennie and Chavis for Moose and L. Castillo. Moose to play 2B. Maybe some cash considerations added by one side as well.
Reds would never do that. People under value castillo way to much.
The Reds would laugh hysterically and hang up the phone if the Red Sox made that kind of offer
No way the Reds would take that deal. Sox have to come up with more than Benintendi & Chavis.
Red Sox are in a mini rebuild for the next 2 yrs
They will be the ones trading talent , not acquiring it
I feel this is the worst kept secret still today –
Im guessing its all the Saux fans desperately clinging to hope still. But make no mistake Im sure the FO would love to go all Cubby and flip Benni/Jd/ Sale /Eovaldi/Barnes and too a lesser extent probably Vazquez and ERod as well this year for players around the AA/AAA level. They might hold tight till the break but I fully expect them to unload at the break after they are under .500. 2023 is the goal here all year
It’s a shame too. Top free agent outfielder George Springer, who grew up a die-hard Red Sox fan and has long dreamed of playing for his beloved team, would be the perfect fit as the Red Sox core CF while also replacing former RF Mookie Betts bat in their lineup. An outfield from left to right of Andrew Benintendi, Springer and Alex Verdugo would be among the best in MLB and elite with a return of ‘Benny’ to his pre-2019 form.
Indeed; perfect fit /wrong time arc
That staff (mainly the money wrapped into Sale and Eovaldi ) is the killer – Terrible pen certainly doesn’t help
But in 2 more years there will be another perfect fit and what the Red Sox have going for them now is the Dodgers /NYY will be a little more tight on outside player$ now compared to the past. Bos should be low key rooting for Cohen to tie up a buncha long term money as well soon.
I think they will be the big players of 23 ……….Sf in 22
You only get Sale for half a year and, we really don’t know how E-Rod will be.. Eovaldi should really try to be a closer. He just can’t stay healthy. I have no problem with trading Mookie. He was going to leave for a dollar more. I have no problem with that, but that is the truth. He was all business with the Sox. He got a nice landing spot and the Sox git out from under the lux tax penalties, a few players and can reset. Win-Win as far as I am concerned. I used to love Pedie, but his odd handling of the Machado thing and constant whining got to be a bit much. I was rooting for him to bounce back. He is a gamer and a guy you want on your team. He will retire with a .299 BA.
If the Reds take that deal there is something very seriously wrong with baseball that needs to be fixed immediately since it would be clearly a means to get out from a contract that was perfectly fine to them last year.
With his contract and performance Castillo would be the most valuable arm on the market. His return would need to include elite young talent and not guys with less team control coming off down years. I’m thinking deals headlined by Gore or Adell plus.
Do you not remember the article that the Reds wanted Gleybar+ for Castillo from NYY? But yea, I’m sure they’d just give him away to rid Moose’s salary for a reclamation guy on Beni and a guy who has had a couple good months with way too many K’s…
It would at least cost Benny, Chavis & Mata if not more to get Castillo.
that this Pedroia “situation” is even a crisis at all is absurd. he’s a free agent to be. cut him. he understands the situation as does anyone else who knows anything about Pedroia’s health situation. (Red Sox fans most of all) that they had to unload a top 15 prospect for nothing to clear a roster space shows the importance of the roster spot he has. that they have done nothing yet is a joke.
Non-rostered / non-forty man young OF’er guarantees the Red Sox a minimum wage or lower pair for Benintendi’s $ 6.6 MM projected salary.. Now, who & where can the Red Sox search for an SP & OF’er that are young, cheap and talented?.. Who has SP’s and needs OF’ers?.. about three teams..
Royals look like a great destination in my mind. they have a lot top tier SP prospects where they can be fine trading someone like Alec Marsh or Grant Gambrell in such a deal. perhaps a Edward Oliveres as the OF and maybe they shoot for an extra piece. I like Darryl Collins or Yelfri Del Rosario as a throw in from Boston’s perspective.
Sounds like Benintendi is about to become a Marlin.
Kameron Misner (or Jesus Sanchez) and Breidy Encarnacion for Benintendi makes sense to me.
Burdick Castano and Mesa Jr. could be a working package.
No way in hell Marlins give up both Burdick and Mesa Jr.. (it also specifically says Sox looking for a non 40 man pitcher and it seems like they want a MLB ready OF). Brinson, Harrison, Sanchez, Misner, Burdick and Conine all fit that profile. Marlins will not give up Bleday under any circumstances… as for pitchers, Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Richards are all likely off the table. Not to mention Sixto or any other of the MLB arms.
So I think we’re looking at a Sanchez/Harrison (if seeking MLB ready) or Misner/Burdick (if seeking upside) OF piece for the package, in addition to a non 40 man pitching prospect (I could see Encarnaion, Eder, Fulton maybe).
the 40 man roster spot shouldnt be an issue if its 40 man neutral, and the article suggests it could be negotiable. I dont think any of the three SP prospects you mention would be enough for BOS.
That’s an overpay, probably looking at Scott and McCambley combo. If they want MLB ready OF Sanchez, Sierra, Harrison, Harold Ramirez, all fit that.
Burdick is not a piece Miami will trade, kid looks like baby Trout.
then replace him with Misiner. as far as im concerned they probably have equal trade value.
I am reasonably confident that the White Sox are one of Andrew Benintendi’s most fervent suitors. The same White Sox front office is in place who desired him as a centerpiece prospect in the 2016 Chris Sale trade that saw the ChiSox ‘settle’ for Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech and two others instead. Benintendi fits a need the White Sox would like to address this offseason, namely a left-handed contact bat who can play left field and DH. If their target is a decent enough defender it would allow new manager Tony La Russa the flexibility to utilize defensively challenged and injury prone slugger Eloy Jimenez more in the DH role. Benintendi with his athleticism and speed is a clear upgrade over Jimenez in LF.
The White Sox tend to be very secretive when it comes to acquiring players via free agency or trades. The good news after reading the linked article is that some of Benintendi’s previously most rumored suitors now seem to be out of the conversations with Chaim Bloom.
Nope
If detroit didn’t just sign Grossman I’d put money on them for benny
I don’t think the Tigers are in a position to be trading the kind of young talent the Red Sox seek for Andrew Benintendi when they are in their own rebuild. Robbie Grossman is a ‘flippable’ free agent they signed to a short term contract, one who fills a current need but is less likely to become a permanent member of their future core. Benintendi only has two years of team control remaining himself so the Tigers sacrificing young talent to acquire him doesn’t make a ton of sense. If Benintendi returns to his pre-2019 form, the Tigers can pursue him as a free agent in two years when he will still be 28 years old and still in his prime.
Not a Red Sox fan, but as a baseball fan in general, I always admired Pedroia and how he played the game. Uniform was always dirty. Surprising power. Players like him are fun and good for the game. As someone else noted, he was surely on a hall of fame trajectory, but as they have done to many great players before him, injuries will rob him of that. A Red Sox hall of fame guy for sure though. Hopefully, if he so desires, I hope he finds his way back into the game in some capacity. One would hope the Red Sox would honor the contract somehow, and cut him a 12 mill check on his way out the door. Dude’s earned it.
He also has a ring from the 2018 championship and won the 2007 rookie of the year.. and Lets not forget 4 gold gloves, a silver slugger too.
I guess Moniak and De Los Santos won’t be enough??? Benintendi is a pretty compelling player and clearly has the tools to be an effective MLB outfielder….he’s just gotta shake off the past season and get back to what he can do. SOlid first 3 years for sure.
Is this the most boring Red Sox off-season ever?
Pedroia represented pretty much all that was good about the sport. Certainly not physically gifted, he got the most out of what he had. His Gold Gloves (which were actually kind of funny) were earned because he ALWAYS knew the pitch count, the situation, what he was going to do in every situation, etc.; they certainly didn’t come because of his range. They didn’t call him the “Dirt Dog” for nothing.
The way Henry et al (don’t think you can blame Bloom, for this anyway) is terribly reminiscent of Charley Finley dumping another ex-Sox 2B, Mike Andrews, during the playoffs. Just highly unprofessional. Finley didn’t care much what people thought, but the Red Sox are supposed to be a “classy” bunch. The entire affair is just ugly.
As for Bloom “playing for 2022”, what, you think other organizations aren’t planning a year ahead?. Again, other teams (certainly not in AL East) aren’t going to sit on their thumbs while Bloom gets his act together. It just doesn’t work that way. And the revenue you lose in 2021 is never, EVER, going to come back.
And right now, more eyeballs will be tuned to a “My Pillow” infomercial than the Boston Red Sox.
Cincinnati Reds send OF Aristedes Aquino, 3B Rece Hinds (#9), RHSP Vladimer Gutierrez (#16) and RHSP Christian Rao (#12) to Boston for Benintendi and LHP Chris Murphy (#25).
Aquino with his power vs. the Green Monster would be intoxicating. Very good OF arm for RF.
Rece Hinds had some of the best raw power in the 2019 draft, 2nd round pick.
Gutierrez is from Cuba, is almost MLB ready. Pitching very well this winter in the Dominican.
Roa is a 2020 2nd round pick out of Texas A&M.
The numbers are MLB dot com’s team prospect ranking.
Are you high?
The Red Sox gave Pedroia an 8-year, $100 million contract extension on July 23, 2013.
From April 1 through July 22 (100 games), he hit .308/.385/.422/.808.
From July 24 through September 28 (59 games), his BA was 15 points lower, OBP was 34 points lower, SLG was 15 points lower, his OPS was 51 points lower.
From 2014 through 2020, he played 496 games, just under 71 per year on average (135,93,154,105,3,6,0 games per season) with a slash line pretty close to what he hit after his contract extension (I omitted the game of July 23, 1967 (0 for 2) because I didn’t know if the extension occurred before or after the game was played).
In other words, I feel the club made a bad mistake when they gave him that extension; at that time I felt that trading him was a much better route to rebuilding. Was it foreseeable? Well, in 2010 and 2011, they finished 3rd; in 2012, they finished 5th; then after finishing 1st and winning rhe World Series in 2013, they finished 5th in 2014 and 2015. It would take more than Pedroia to keep a club that was in need of rebuilding in first place for 144 games in the season.
If Beni goes to the Reds he will bounce back.
If Benny doesn’t go to the reds he will bounce back.
Benny is a lot of things, but he isn’t a 40 ops+ hitter. People read 2020 was blahblahblah… the guy was hurt, played under a dozen full games, and didn’t have a normal ST first.
I agree GA Sox fan 10d is a solid bounce back candidate.
When spring training opened a year ago February he looked slimmer and was barreling the ball well and stopped the swing for the fences nonsense. Then Covid and when he came back didn’t look right. I’m hopeful that he is not traded I’m confident he will have a solid year and if Boston gets into sell mode he will have a lot more value if he rebounds as I expect.
Just keep Benny. This is ridiculous
Was at a game in early 07 in Minnesota and Pedroia got the start. Was hitting probably 120 or whereabouts. I was pissed and was hoping Terry would go with his hot hand(Cora was ripping it up) I remember saying this guy has got to go!!!(petey double off left field wall) As in so many cases in my 45 plus years rooting for the Red Sox it showed me that if i was the G.M. we would all still be waiting!!!!!Dustin would make a nice bench coach for Tek 3-5 yrs from now…….
An 11.999M buyout? Is that doing it right?
Benny for Andujar let’s go. Yankees could use a lefty bat
But But But he’s a local guy