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Boras Won’t Make First Move For Varitek Extension

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Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe quotes Scott Boras as saying that the Red Sox would have to come to him about an extension for Jason Varitek.  Boras and Varitek are open to a deal, but I guess they don’t want to sound desperate and give up their leverage.   

Tek turns 36 in April; the Red Sox are going to want to minimize their risk.  They could roll the dice in hopes of signing him after the season, as they did with Mike Lowell and Curt Schilling.  It can be tough to measure the value of a catcher, but Baseball Prospectus has Varitek worth $4.6MM in ’09 and dropping off significantly after that. 

Gammons’ Latest: Bailey, Crisp, Giants

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ESPN’s Peter Gammons posted to his blog yesterday; let’s take a look.

  • More negative vibes around the Reds’ Homer Bailey.  His apparent availability seems odd given his talent.  Bailey was described by an evaluator friend of Buster Olney as "someone who thinks he’s got it all figured out."
  • Gammons likes the fit of Barry Bonds in Seattle, but sees Jeff Clement as the team’s DH in the event that Richie Sexson starts to repeat his ’07.
  • The A’s still like Coco Crisp, but the Red Sox want young catching and/or pitching that the A’s would prefer to keep.  Susan Slusser wrote on Saturday that talks between the two clubs had revived.
  • Giants scouts are apparently handing out a list to other teams with almost a dozen available players (basically all the veterans).  The Giants currently have nine pitchers vying for three bullpen spots.

Cafardo’s Latest: Fuentes, Sowers, Laffey

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Boston Globe baseball writer Nick Cafardo’s Sunday column has new hot stove material, as usual.

  • Cafardo notes that Kyle Snyder, Julian Tavarez, and Bryan Corey have all been heavily scouted by other clubs.  Snyder is out of options, so he’s a good trade candidate.  Cafardo mentioned on Thursday that the Orioles were taking a look at Corey, who might return to Japan if he doesn’t join a big league ’pen.  I imagine the Sox are going to want the insurance Tavarez provides.
  • The Phils are hunting for a southpaw reliever and another starter. Brian Fuentes remains on their radar, but they’re competing with the Tigers and Yankees for him. 
  • The Indians could make southpaws Jeremy Sowers and/or Aaron Laffey available, if Cliff Lee maintains his spring success.  Cafardo says the Cardinals, Phillies, and Astros are eyeing them.

Manny Looking For Four More Years In Boston

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Tony Massarotti writes today that slugger Manny Ramirez wants to play in Boston for four more years. Ramirez told reporters “I’m going to get the two options and I’m going to get two more years.”

The guaranteed portion of Manny’s contract is up at the end of the 2008 season. The club owns the rights to exercise options on both the 2009 and 2010 seasons at 20MM per.

This statement may come as a surprise to the Red Sox brass, however. When Ramirez was asked if he and the club have discussed any of this, he responded, “They don’t need to. I know I’m going to get it.”

By UmpBump Paul

A’s Revive Talks For Crisp

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According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s and Red Sox are "believed to be discussing Coco Crisp again."  Slusser wonders whether the Sox could target Chris Denorfia.

Crisp is guaranteed $11MM over the next two seasons, assuming his 2010 option is bought out.  Oakland seems like a nice fit for Crisp as they seem likely to fully appreciate the value of his tough-to-quantify defense. 

There seems only a slim chance Crisp makes the Japan trip with the Sox.  He’s making progress on his groin injury, but any acquiring team is probably going to want to see him in games first.

Odds and Ends: Inge, Salcedo, Corey, Nathan

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I write this odds and ends post with two less wisdom teeth than I had yesterday.  Looks like applesauce for dinner.

  • Jon Heyman says the Dodgers and Tigers haven’t talked lately, and doesn’t see L.A. taking on Brandon Inge’s $19.1MM.  Aside from the standard Giants suggestion, Heyman puts on his speculation cap and wonders whether Inge could catch for Houston.  What is J.R. Towles, chopped liver?
  • This is questionable, but hey, it’s a Friday.  Hi5 is a popular social networking site in Central America.  A reader sent me a link to this page, which may belong to future superstar kid shortstop/Boras client Edward Salcedo.  The owner of the page slapped up a big ol’ Indians logo over a month ago with the caption "my team."  I have to reiterate that I don’t know if this is really Salcedo’s page.  The Tribe said on Tuesday that Salcedo remained unsigned.
  • The Orioles are observing 34 year-old journeyman reliever Bryan Corey.
  • Joe Nathan, still chatting contract with the Twins.  Kelly Thesier noted that it was the Twins reaching out recently.  Nathan’s agent will meet with them Tuesday.
  • Jacob Jackson goes out on a limb and wonders if Justin Upton could be Oakland’s first $100MM player.
  • The new Phils-ville blog is up.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Horacio, Willits

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Rumor guru and baseball insider Ken Rosenthal has a new column at FOX Sports.  Let’s discuss.

  • Rosenthal does not see the Cubs taking on the salaries of both Brian Roberts and Coco Crisp, even if they shed their Jason Marquis commitment.  Roberts remains the focus.
  • Horacio Ramirez’s agent says seven clubs have already expressed interest in his client.  Perhaps he meant to say 0.7.
  • Rosenthal runs through many Rocco Baldelli replacement options for the Rays: Reggie Willits, Kenny Lofton, Gabe Gross, and Reed Johnson.  Only Willits seems the perfect fit, and the Angels aren’t making him available. Willits and his .393 career OBP could be headed to Triple A.
  • The Phillies are looking for middle relief help; Rosenthal suggests a possible match with Arizona.  Or, how ’bout signing Bob Wickman?  Is he officially retired?

Odds and Ends: Mirabelli, Lohse, Spring Stats

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Here are some links I’ve cobbled together.

Crisp Must Establish Health Before Trade

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It’s fair to say that most teams like to acquire healthy players rather than injured ones.  That’s definitely the case with Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp, who is trying to come back from groin problems.  Nick Cafardo reiterates the Cubs’ interest, but the Cubs need to see him play first.  Crisp also dealt with a root canal this spring.  On a related note I am having some wisdom teeth removed tomorrow morning, so forgive me if I’m a bit off.

Crisp has only played in two games this spring, and it’s possible he’s left off the Japan trip to start Boston’s season.  While it’s nice to have things shored up before Opening Day, there’s no reason not to extend this thing into April.  For what it’s worth, Tony Massarotti talked to a scout who suggested the Reds, White Sox, Pirates, and Rangers might be looking for a center fielder.

Bogus Crisp To Mets Rumor

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2:34pm: Theo Epstein says he hasn’t been talking to the Mets.  Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe labels this rumor a fabrication.

2:10pm: Newsday’s David Lennon confirms the Mets haven’t traded for Crisp, implying that they wouldn’t be interested.

1:13pm: WFAN’s Ed Coleman reports rumblings of a possible Coco Crisp to the Mets deal, which would involve Angel Pagan.  It’s not confirmed or official, but it’s out there.  When I get more I’ll update the post.

Crisp’s contract: $4.75MM in ’08, $5.75MM in ’09, and an $8MM club option for ’10 with a $0.5MM buyout.  Crisp has posted an OPS around .700 for Boston while playing stellar center field defense.  I imagine he’d spend time at all three outfield positions for the Mets if acquired.

Pagan, 26, started in the Mets’ organization.  The outfielder plays all three positions and has a career line of .255/.306/.415.  In January of ’06, the Cubs purchased his contract from the Mets.  He made the Cubs’ Opening Day roster, but a torn hamstring knocked him out until July.  The following year he got the call in May to replace Felix Pie.  Then he had an unfortunate bout with colitis.  In January of this year, the Mets reacquired Pagan from the Cubs for Corey Coles and Ryan Meyers.

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