Red Sox Rumors

Quick Hits: Youkilis, Wang, Twins, Wheeler

By Mike Axisa | May 10, 2012 at 11:24pm CDT

Expanded instant replay was included in the new collective bargaining agreement, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that the league is no rush to implement a new system. MLB executive vice president Joe Torre told Morosi they want to "make the game better without dragging it on."

Here's the latest from the around the league as Thursday turns into Friday…

"I have no idea," said Kevin Youkilis to ESPN's Gordon Edes when asked what the arrival of Will Middlebrooks means for his future with the Red Sox. Youkilis can become a free agent after this season and is in the middle of a make or break year.
The Nationals may have a better chance of trading Chien-Ming Wang than John Lannan, writes Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Wang is currently on the DL with a hamstring issue, but Lannan has a 6.10 ERA in Triple-A.
"This is just something that we've got to do right now," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire to LaVelle E. Neal III of The Star Tribune following last night's roster shakeup. "We need to make some changes. We need some hits. We need some new life in here, the whole package."
Dan Wheeler declined to comment when asked if he though about accepting the Red Sox's offer of arbitration last offseason, writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. Wheeler would have received a guaranteed big league contract had he accepted arbitration, but he instead settled for a minor league deal with the Indians.

Make Or Break Year: Kevin Youkilis

By Mike Axisa | May 10, 2012 at 7:55pm CDT

The Red Sox are among baseball's most disappointing teams so far this season, due in part to injury. Closer Andrew Bailey, outfielders Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury, and starters John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka are among the players the team has lost for a significant length of time already in 2012. Boston also lost Kevin Youkilis, an important right-handed bat in their lefty heavy lineup.

Youkilis, 33, is currently on the disabled list with a lower back strain. It's his fifth trip to the DL in the last four years, part of a laundry list of injuries that includes an oblique strain (2009), thumb surgery (2010), back tightness (2011), and a sports hernia (2011). Since the start of the 2010 season, Youkilis has played in just 240 of 352 possible games (68.2%).

Prior to being placed on the DL, Youkilis had a .219/.292/.344 batting line in 72 plate appearances. Dating back to last year's All-Star break, he's produced a .205/.307/.345 batting line in 231 plate appearances. His performance during his peak years – .308/.404/.560 from 2008-2010 – appears to be very much a thing of the past right now. A player with injury concerns and declining performance as he approaches his mid-30s usually isn't someone a team tries to keep around.

To make matters worse for Youkilis, the Red Sox have a ready-made third base replacement already in-house. Top prospect Will Middlebrooks has burst onto the scene with three homers and four doubles in his six games with Boston, continuing the hot streak that saw him hit nine homers in 24 games in Triple-A games before being recalled. Baseball America ranked Middlebrooks as the 51st best prospect in the game before the season, and the 23-year-old is doing his best to show the team he deserves to play the hot corner on the full-time basis.

The Red Sox owe Youkilis $12MM this season and hold a $13MM club option for his services next year ($1MM buyout). It's seems very unlikely that they'll exercise the option at this point, though the decision still isn't due for another seven months or so. A lot can change between now and then. Youkilis is in a difficult position as an injury-prone and declining player with a young hotshot rookie ready to take his job. If the Red Sox decline to bring him back in 2013, his stock as a free agent will be poor without a strong return from this latest back ailment.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

Red Sox Remove Justin Thomas From Roster

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 10, 2012 at 2:41pm CDT

The Red Sox have removed left-hander Justin Thomas from their 40-man roster, Alex Speier of WEEI.com tweets. In corresponding moves, the Red Sox optioned Clayton Mortensen to the minor leagues and selected the contract of Daniel Nava. It's not clear if the Red Sox designated Thomas for assignment or released him.

Thomas, 28, appeared in seven games for the Red Sox this year, allowing ten hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings while striking out four. He has a 4.14 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in eight seasons as a minor leaguer.

Minor Moves: John Maine

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 10, 2012 at 1:45pm CDT

Matt Eddy of Baseball America has the complete minor league transactions for the first week of May. Here's the most noteworthy move:

The Red Sox released right-hander John Maine, according to Eddy. Maine, 31, last pitched in the Majors with the 2010 Mets. He had a strong 2007 season, but his performance later dropped off and he missed considerable time with shoulder injuries. Maine posted a 7.43 ERA in 46 innings with the Rockies' top affiliate in 2011 before signing with the Red Sox this January.

East Links: Gonzalez, Red Sox, Yankees, Nationals

By Mike Axisa | May 8, 2012 at 9:32pm CDT

The Yankees announced that Andy Pettitte will make his return to the team this Sunday against the Mariners. The 39-year-old left-hander came out of retirement during Spring Training to re-sign with New York. Here's the latest out of baseball's two East divisions…

The Red Sox had some talks with Scott Boras about left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez before he signed with the Nationals, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. Gonzalez felt he had more of an opportunity with Washington.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told reporters (including Chad Jennings of The Journal News) that he has not made a single call about trading for reliever in the wake of Mariano Rivera's torn ACL. Late last week we heard that the team won't aggressively pursue a reliever via trade.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told MLB.com's Bill Ladson that he's hoping players like Xavier Nady and Roger Bernadina will step up during Jayson Werth's absence so he doesn't have to make a trade (Twitter link). Werth will miss about three months with a broken left wrist.

Quick Hits: Gonzalez, Mota, Red Sox

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | May 7, 2012 at 4:01pm CDT

Brewers shortstop Alex Gonzalez has torn his right ACL and is expected to miss the rest of the season, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (Twitter links). It's another setback for the Brewers, who have also lost Mat Gamel and Chris Narveson to season-ending injuries. Gonzalez's vesting option for 2013 is no longer in play, as Haudricourt notes. Here are today's links…

The Giants announced that reliever Guillermo Mota has officially been suspended for 100 games following a positive test for the performance enhancing substance Clenbuterol.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports suggests Brett Myers, Brandon League, Grant Balfour, Jonathan Broxton and Matt Capps will be among the relievers available in trades later this summer.
Blue Jays manager John Farrell says catcher turned advance scout Kevin Cash has done a very good job in his new role, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.
Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox aren't expecting to call up a reliever, but notes that offseason acquisition Mark Melancon could get the call in case the club opts to add pitching depth.

Quick Hits: Hamels, Buchholz, Red Sox, Nationals

By Zachary Links | May 6, 2012 at 10:23pm CDT

Earlier tonight, the Nationals' Bryce Harper became the first teenager to steal home since Ed Kirkpatrick did it for the Angels in 1964. Meanwhile, tonight's injury sustained by Jayson Werth could shift the youngster over to right field for the time being. Here are some links on this Sunday night..

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter) believes that Cole Hamels can approach C.C. Sabathia's record $161MM deal if he reaches free agency. The Phillies haven't made much progress with Hamels on a new deal lately.
If the Red Sox decide to send Clay Buchholz to the minors, the pitcher will first have to clear optional waivers, writes Alex Speier of WEEI.com. It's unlikely that Buchholz would be claimed, however, as optional waivers are revocable.
The Nationals worked out pitcher David Ramos, the younger brother of catcher Wilson Ramos, earlier today, according to Mark Zuckerman of CSNwashington.com (via Twitter). Wilson caught for his brother as he threw 89-91 mph and GM Mike Rizzo was in attendance, tweets Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com.

Cafardo On Broxton, Phillies, Span, Orioles, White Sox

By Zachary Links | May 6, 2012 at 8:57am CDT

In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that Mariano Rivera is arguably the most important player in the American League East. The Yankees will look to in-house solutions in the back of their bullpen for now, but other teams in need of relievers will start combing the market for answers. The Cubs would obviously part with Carlos Marmol. The Pirates could move Joel Hanrahan, but the price would be steep. The White Sox might trade left-hander Matt Thornton and the Astros could be willing to deal Brett Myers.

Teams are looking to see whether the Mets would deal Bobby Parnell and whether the Royals move Jonathan Broxton. Kansas City, however, would need to receive his permission since he was signed as a free agent and otherwise couldn’t be moved until after June 15th. Here's more from Cafardo..

Phillies people insist that they are not on the lookout for a third baseman/left fielder with Placido Polanco struggling. "We’re just trying to hold our heads above water until we get our guys back," a Phillies official told Cafardo.
Twins center fielder Denard Span remains on the Nationals' radar, but with closer Drew Storen sidelined, a deal is on hold for a while.
According to an Orioles source, they have received calls on Kevin Gregg and Matt Lindstrom. The O's would love to move part of Gregg's $5.8MM deal for 2012. Lindstrom, meanwhile, will earn $3.6MM with a $4MM option for 2013.
The Astros will hang on to Wandy Rodriguez until late July when they can get the best possible deal for him.
Even though White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski is reaching the end of his contract and is 35, don’t be surprised if the club talks about keeping him for another year or two. Many in Chicago feel the mantle will be passed to Tyler Flowers, but Jerry Reinsdorf is very loyal to his veteran players.
First baseman Derrek Lee is definitely on the Brewers’ radar with Mat Gamel out for the season. They’re thinking about moving Corey Hart from right field to first, but there may be outside options. The Red Sox’s Lars Anderson and the Orioles’ Mark Reynolds could be two names to consider.
The Red Sox expect to have Andrew Bailey, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Kevin Youkilis, and Daisuke Matsuzaka back at some point this summer. General Manager Ben Cherington believes, "that would be better than anything we could do in a trade deadline deal."

Quick Hits: Vlad, Lee, Hunter, Crawford

By Mark Polishuk | May 3, 2012 at 11:22pm CDT

Here's the latest from around the majors…

Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers thought Vladimir Guerrero performed well in his tryout with the team but will have to consult with team management before deciding whether to offer Guerrero a contract, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Towers speculated that Guerrero's only possible role with the club could be as a DH during interleague games, a role that Wily Mo Pena filled for the Snakes last season.
The Brewers may check in with Derrek Lee in regards to their hole at first base, GM Doug Melvin told reporters (including Scott Miller of CBS Sports) earlier this week. Lee said he didn't plan to officially retire despite a lack of interest this offseason, though he seemed to be holding out for "a perfect situation." The Pirates, Lee's last team, would receive a compensatory draft pick if Lee were to sign a Major League deal, though it's likely that Lee would only be offered a minor league contract, if anything, by the Brewers or another club.
Torii Hunter tells Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he would consider returning to the Twins next season if he doesn't re-sign with the Angels. Given that Hunter's stated goal is to play for a contender in 2013, it's hard to see him returning to Minnesota unless he gets no other offers (and, of course, presuming that the Twins would be interested).
Carl Crawford has been moved to the 60-day DL to create a 40-man roster spot for the called-up Aaron Cook, the Red Sox announced tonight. In a corresponding move, Jose Iglesias was sent down to create space for Cook on the 25-man roster.
Right-hander Carlos Torres has been called up by the Rockies and filled the last spot on their 40-man roster, reports Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Jhoulys Chacin has been sent down to Triple-A in a corresponding move that opens a spot for Torres on the 25-man roster. Torres last pitched in the majors in 2010 as a member of the White Sox.
Major League Baseball and the NCAA are in talks regarding increased partnership between the two entities, such as MLB providing funding for scholarships, reports Bryan Fischer of CBS Sports.
White Sox starter John Danks told reporters (including MLB.com's Scott Merkin) that he isn't feeling any additional pressure from his offseason contract extension. After allowing six earned runs in seven innings against Cleveland tonight, Danks' ERA stands at 6.51 through six starts.

Red Sox To Sign Mark Prior

By Mike Axisa | May 2, 2012 at 2:58pm CDT

The Red Sox will sign Mark Prior, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). John Boggs & Associates represent Prior, who last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2006.

The Cubs drafted Prior second overall in 2001 and he soon became one of the National League's best pitchers. He posted a 2.43 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 as a 22-year-old just a year and a half after being drafted. A series of shoulder problems derailed Prior's career, but he has tried to resurrect it with stints in the Padres', Rangers' and Yankees' systems. Now 31, he's attempting another comeback.

Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.

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