Matsuzaka Talks Breaking Down
The outlook is not so good for the Red Sox to sign Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald writes that talks are "breaking down." Silverman’s source places to blame on agent Scott Boras, who apparently doesn’t feel like making a deal. As Buster Olney notes, that certainly sounds like it originates from the Red Sox.
Olney also notes that the Sox will probably provide what amounts to a blank check to Roger Clemens should they fail to sign Matsuzaka. While there has been some talk of Clemens pitching for all of 2007, his agent is pushing for another shortened season.
To me that makes the Yanks more likely to be players, as by June one of Wang, Johnson, Mussina, Pettitte, or Igawa could certainly be injured. If someone had to be bumped to accomodate Clemens for one year, who would it be?
Carroll On Matsuzaka
Will Carroll has spoken to several Boston sources on the topic of signing Daisuke Matsuzaka. Those sources are said to be pessimistic about Boston’s chances at signing him. I have read the same in various Boston newspapers.
Carroll also adds that Matsuzaka will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2008 season, should he return to Japan. The bold letters are from Carroll, to help correct the misinformation that Matsuzaka would only owe the Lions one more season.
Eric Gagne To Sign Today?
Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe reports that Eric Gagne should decide whether to become a Red Sox, Indian, or Ranger today.
Edes says the odds favor the Indians and Rangers, who seem more willing to guarantee Gagne $5MM. Balking at such a request is understandable given how little Gagne pitched during the 2005-06 seasons. The Dodgers paid him $18MM for 15.1 Major League innings over that period.
Offers Made To Dotel
The Boston Herald reports that two or three offers have been made to Octavio Dotel, including one from the Red Sox. You can add the Yanks, Royals, and Indians as other possibilities. The Mets, Cards, and Indians were interested in him last year before he signed with New York.
Dotel’s agent says he will decide tonight. No word on Dotel’s merengue album.
Red Sox Rumor Roundup
The Red Sox have been kind of busy lately. Let’s round ’em up.
The team signed J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo yesterday, and the Manny talks seem dead. In case you have been living under a rock.
On the other hand, a few sources have rekindled the Manny stuff for one more day. ESPN Deportes mentions possible deals with the Ms or Dodgers, while the Boston Herald alludes to possible talks today.
Nine days left to reach a deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka. Dustin Pedroia and Alex Cora will probably take care of 2B.
Best news is that Jon Lester has been cleared for spring training.
Red Sox Sign Julio Lugo
Busy day for the Red Sox – they signed shortstop Julio Lugo for four years and $36MM today. Lugo was the only decent shortstop on the free agent market from the start.
Perhaps he will bat leadoff for the Sox – fantasy leaguers take note. Lugo posted a .373 OBP for the Devil Rays last year and a .362 mark in 2005. He also showed surprising power by slugging .498 for Tampa Bay. He tanked in 49 games as a Dodger, which may have driven down his market price slightly.
Early Evening Rumors
Rosenthal has dollar amounts for the Greg Maddux deal: the Padres will pay him $10M in 2007, with a player option for 2008. The option starts at $6M, but if Maddux reaches various plateaus, the option could increase in value to another $10M.
The Arlington Daily-Herald speculates that a Kevin Mench for Jon Lieber deal could be evened out by the Brewers sending along Jose Capellan. Capellan hasn’t lived up to his potential yet, but he’s still young enough that he could develop into a top-tier setup man. I’d be very surprised (not to mention disappointed) if Doug Melvin made that deal without getting something else of value in return.
According to Rotoworld, the Mets have offered Julio Lugo $36 million over four years, but Steve Phillips believes the Red Sox will sign him. Theo Epstein was quoted earlier today saying that Dustin Pedroia could be his opening day shortstop, but it’s hard to believe the Red Sox won’t find some way to upgrade at least one of their middle infield spots.
By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball
Get your Gagne…
No more waiting: Scott Boras may get Eric Gagne a new home by the end of the meetings. Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox are "smack in the middle of it," which is no surprise, since it seems like Theo is right in the middle of everything. Other suitors: Cleveland, Texas, Toronto, and the Dodgers.
By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball
No Holdup On Red Sox Drew Deal
It’s seemed inevitable for some time; a source of Gordon Edes reports that there is "no holdup" in Boston’s agreement with outfielder J.D. Drew.
Edes believes it is still a four-year, $56MM contract with an option for the fifth season.
Will’s Mill
Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus is at the Winter Meetings, and filing reports daily. Best of all, his notes today are free:
The specific Manny Ramirez deal offered by the Dodgers that the Red Sox turned down was for Jonathan Broxton and Andy LaRoche. Sounds like it would take one more player (or an equivalent starter instead of Broxton) to get the deal done. Either that, or the Sox are just showing Manny how valuable he is, and how much they love him. I get the feeling that the Red Sox and Manny are like a Hollywood couple–let’s say Pam Anderson and Kid Rock–and all the troubles aren’t real, they’re just a way of keeping everybody’s name in the newspaper. All the time.
The Rangers are in on Mike Piazza. Anybody else think that Jon Daniels’s strategy is to bid on every single player Billy Beane shows interest in, driving up the price and making it impossible for Billy to acquire players? He did it with Frank Thomas before Thomas signed with the Blue Jays; maybe he’ll jump into the Alan Embree negotiations next.
Will also prints the idea that Barry Bonds would be well-served by waiting until May to start playing. Like Roger Clemens did last year, he could pick the team that looks best, and he wouldn’t suffer through a month of intensive coverage in March.
By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball