Red Sox Rumors

Joe Nelson Exploring Options

By Nat Boyle | December 14, 2008 at 10:52am CDT

The Marlins did not tender right-handed reliever Joe Nelson a contract on Friday; however, they have not shut the door on the reliever say Joe Frisaro of mlb.com.

"Nelson’s agent, Doug Schaer, fielded a few inquiries on Saturday regarding the 34-year-old right-hander, who is now a free agent. Working within a tight budget, Florida was offering about $650,000 for Nelson, who might be able to top $800,000 on the open market. Nelson was a valuable setup man last year, posting a 3-1 record with a 2.00 ERA in 59 games. He also has experience closing."

Despite Nelson being the only player non-tendered by the Marlins, there do not appear to be any hard feelings; however, he shouldn’t have much trouble finding a bump in pay from a team with higher payroll. Frisaro lists Kansas City and Boston as potential suitors. Nelson is 34 and lives in the West Palm Beach area.

Juan Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel says Nelson is taking a calculated risk. Both articles note Florida would welcome back Nelson’s veteran presence if he were unable to find what he’s looking for on the open market.

Japanese Free Agent Round-Up: Kawakami, Takahashi, Saito

By Alex Walsh | December 13, 2008 at 3:36pm CDT

Patrick at NPB Tracker has an interesting update on some notable Japanese free agents.

If the Braves are in fact interested in Kenshin Kawakami, they may have to beat an eventual three-year, $21MM offer from the Red Sox.
Omar Minaya thinks Koji Uehara projects as a starter, and future negotiations will be based on that projection.
The Mets are the frontrunners for signing Ken Takahashi.
The Dodgers would’ve been willing to do a $2.5MM deal plus incentives for Takashi Saito, but he did not accept that.

NBP Tracker has the source links, which are in Japanese. Kudos to Patrick for keeping those of us that can’t read Japanese in the know.

Alex Walsh can be reached at alexander.walsh@gmail.com.

Braves Interested In Kawakami

By Alex Walsh | December 13, 2008 at 2:58pm CDT

Having lost out on A.J. Burnett, the Atlanta Braves are shifting their attention to a different candidate to fill out their starting rotation–33-year old Japanese veteran Kenshin Kawakami.

Dave O’Brien at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Braves are serious contenders for Kawakami’s services. While teams like the Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Orioles are also in on Kawakami, "the Braves are particularly motivated to improve their rotation," O’Brien says.

Failing to sign Burnett is certainly one motivating factor, but O’Brien also mentions the increasing chance that John Smoltz does not return to the Braves in 2009.

Alex Walsh can be reached at alexander.walsh@gmail.com

Angels Made Eight Year Offer To Teixeira

By Tim Dierkes | December 13, 2008 at 8:44am CDT

8:44 am: According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, the Angels are “believed to have offered at least $160MM.” This would match the Washington offer and put pressure on Boston to match or exceed the offer.

12:03 am: Angels GM Tony Reagins said this evening that he has made an eight-year offer to free agent Mark Teixeira. Yesterday we learned the Orioles are around seven years, $140-150MM and the Nationals are at eight years, $160MM. We’re not sure about the Red Sox.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Saturday

By Tim Dierkes | December 13, 2008 at 1:44am CDT

Jake Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod explains his client’s preferences:

"Jake has a strong preference to stay in the National League. If Jake’s ever going to accept anything to the American League – and I don’t want this to be taken wrong – I can safely say that it’s going to be the Yankees or Red Sox or maybe the Angels. Those teams are going to be in contention and are going to spend money. If there were circumstances where he would be asked to go to the AL, kicking and screaming, those are the three places."

Also, Padres GM Kevin Towers revealed in a radio interview that the Angels asked about a Peavy-Adrian Gonzalez package deal, but the Padres don’t want to trade Gonzalez. As a baseball fan, I like it when Towers reveals things like this. It must be incredibly frustrating for rival GMs though.

No Red Sox Offer To Kawakami

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2008 at 9:53pm CDT

9:53pm: Amalie Benjamin says the reported Red Sox offer to Kawakami is not accurate.

9:07pm: The Boston Globe passes along a Nikkan Sports report (link in Japanese) that says the Red Sox made a three-year, $21MM offer to pitcher Kenshin Kawakami. Recently Michael Silverman said he didn’t expect Kawakami to sign until January.

Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Max Ramirez, Lowell

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2008 at 2:44pm CDT

Links for Friday…

Mets owner Fred Wilpon lost some dough.
The Red Sox expressed interest in Kenshin Kawakami yesterday. Michael Silverman says Kawakami is expected to choose a team and sign in January (the Orioles are also interested).
John Perrotto says the Marlins like Max Ramirez and are willing to trade pitching prospect Ryan Tucker.
Bernie Williams will play winter ball in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
Paul Sullivan says Cubs manager Lou Piniella was upset at the thought of losing Mark DeRosa.
Rany Jazayerli weighs in on the Royals’ signing of Kyle Farnsworth. Joe Posnanski talks about Farnsworth and many other topics.
Andrew Baggarly says the Giants are not interested in Mike Lowell.
Bob Elliott says the Blue Jays had an agreement to pay the Braves to take Everth Cabrera seventh in the Rule 5 draft, but the Padres picked him third.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Tigers, Braves, Red Sox, Pirates

By Cork Gaines | December 12, 2008 at 11:50am CDT

Today is free agent Orlando Hudson’s 31st birthday and the 29th birthday of Garrett Atkins, the subject of many recent trade rumors.

Also, on this date 10 years ago, Kevin Brown became the first player to sign a contract worth at least $100MM, when he signed a seven-year/$105MM contract with the Dodgers. The deal came when Brown was 34, one season after going 18-7 with a 2.38 ERA. Brown’s first two seasons with the Dodgers (18-9, 3.00 and 13-6, 2.58) were solid, but he would only make 29 starts in years three and four combined. Since then, two pitchers have signed deals for at least six years. Mike Hampton and Barry Zito. That doesn’t bode well for C.C. Sabathia, but it’s a small sample size…With the winter meetings now wrapped up, let’s take a look at what is being said in the Blogosphere…

T ake 75 North feels the Tigers are going to regret acquiring Edwin Jackson and lament the loss of Matt Joyce.
The Detroit Tigers Weblog does not get the Edwin Jackson/Matt Joyce deal noting that at least Joyce has shown signs of being a very good player.
When Sid Slid weighs the merits of acquiring Jake Peavy or A.J. Burnett and sees Burnett as the better option.
Infield Chatter warns the Red Sox about signing Mark Teixeira, feeling Theo Epstein should be more concerned with acquiring a pitcher and noting the Red Sox have Lars Anderson waiting in the minors.
Pirate Revolution feels the Pirates need to move Adam LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson and John Grabow to unblock the paths of younger players.
DraftInfo has a Q&A with Max Stassi, a high school catcher that is projected to be selected in the first round.
Fire Brand of the American League takes a look at the impact C.C. Sabathia will have on the AL East.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.

Lugo For Byrnes Talks Dead?

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2008 at 11:15am CDT

FRIDAY: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick notes that this deal looks dead now that the D’Backs have signed Felipe Lopez (MLBTR commenters were all over the idea as well).

THURSDAY: According to ESPN’s Steve Phillips, the Red Sox and Diamondbacks are having discussions about swapping Julio Lugo for Eric Byrnes. Lugo would play second base for Arizona, while Byrnes would be Boston’s fourth outfielder. Lugo has $18MM left on his deal, Byrnes $22MM with no-trade protection.

Willy Taveras Will Be Non-Tendered

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2008 at 9:35am CDT

Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says to expect outfielder Willy Taveras to join the free agent market:

The Nationals’ unwillingness to take Taveras and Juan Morillo for Tim Redding — a deal Colorado thought was done — will lead the Rockies to non-tender the center fielder today, making him a free agent.

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News agrees he’ll be non-tendered, noting the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds, Marlins, and White Sox also had trade discussions for Taveras.

Renck adds that Glendon Rusch has a minor league offer for $750K in hand, and is weighing offers from four other clubs. Rusch would be the Rockies’ second lefty behind newly signed Alan Embree.

A few more notes: the Rockies have mild interest in bringing back Josh Fogg…they’re the favorite for Redding if he’s non-tendered too…the Rox will make a non-guaranteed offer to Scott Podsednik…Joey Gathright would be of interest if non-tendered.

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