Red Sox Next Moves
After missing out on Mark Teixeira, Boston Red Sox fans have been asking what the team will do to respond. Here are a few links about the current (and therefore future) state of the franchise.
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Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald goes through the health of designated hitter David Ortiz and third baseman Mike Lowell, and he looks at pitching and the open slot behind the plate.
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In this article, McAdam takes a look at the free agent market with the goal of determining who would work well with the Red Sox. Overall, McAdam writes that the homegrown talent has reduced the pressure the Red Sox have on the market. Because of this, McAdam believes the Red Sox view free agency as “unnecessarily expensive.”
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Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe expands on what we learned yesterday about first baseman Kevin Youkilis‘ contract: A one-year deal stands.
Red Sox Rumors: Ortiz, Lyon, Delcarmen
More Red Sox rumors from Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe…
- David Ortiz has 10-and-5 rights, in case you’re thinking up trade scenarios.
- The Sox have interest in Brandon Lyon for a late-inning role.
- Manny Delcarmen narrowly missed arbitration, perhaps a calculated move by the team.
Odds and Ends: Wade, Crisp, Holliday
Links for Thursday…
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- Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald wonders if Kerry Wood might accept an offer of arbitration from the Cubs.
- Hal Steinbrenner officially took over control of the Yankees from George.
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire takes a look at Jeremy Affeldt‘s motivations in signing early with the Giants.
- Check out recent fan chats with Astros GM Ed Wade and agent Scott Boras. Wade still hopes to sign Randy Wolf and Doug Brocail and doesn’t seem keen on trading Jose Valverde. Some fans didn’t seem to realize that just holding payroll steady will pose problems for the Astros.
- Joe Posnanski discusses the Royals’ acquisition of Coco Crisp.
- Nick Cafardo wonders if the Crisp trade sets up other moves for the Red Sox. They’ll explore signing Rocco Baldelli, according to Amalie Benjamin.
- Sox Machine reflects on Nick Swisher‘s time with the White Sox.
- A’s owner Lew Wolff would prefer to keep Matt Holliday all year.
- Tom Haudricourt wonders if the Brewers will pursue David DeJesus if they trade Mike Cameron.
- MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone lists which teams have been connected to the top free agent starting pitchers.
- Chad Finn wonders if the Red Sox are considering trading David Ortiz.
- Alan Schwarz has a nice article on Junichi Tazawa.
Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Zaun, Blanco
Links for Tuesday…
- Scott Bordow feels the D’Backs and Randy Johnson should meet at $5MM, which still seems light.
- David Murphy explains why the Phillies make more sense than the Mariners for Jamie Moyer, geographically.
- David Ortiz would like the Red Sox to add a 30 home run bat.
- Richard Justice wants the Astros to sign both Randy Wolf and Andy Pettitte. He says the Cubs and Cardinals will be talking to Pettitte even though his heart is with the Yankees.
- El Lefty Malo recommends the Giants sign Derek Lowe. The Giants are at least considering the big-ticket free agents.
- Jeff Blair runs through a few options for the Blue Jays if A.J. Burnett leaves.
- Free agent catcher Gregg Zaun is not pleased with Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi.
- The D’Backs want Miguel Montero showcased as a catcher.
- Ken Davidoff has a list of nine intriguing (and older) free agents.
- Joel Sherman joins Buster Olney in saying Brian Giles vetoed a trade to the A’s in August, after the Red Sox won the claim and failed to make a deal. How is this possible?
- Geovany Soto expects Henry Blanco to re-sign with the Cubs.
- Tony Massarotti looks at possible trade partners for the Red Sox.
Olney’s Latest: Sexson, Ibanez, Ortiz
Buster Olney’s blog post is overloaded with rumors today. Here’s a rundown:
- Olney’s Speculation: Will the Red Sox will express interest in Khalil Greene with Julio Lugo on the DL for 4-6 weeks? Olney also wonders if the Dodgers will seek Huston Street if Takashi Saito is seriously hurt.
- Scout Speculation: Huston Street and Matt Murton to the Rays for prospects?
- Bobby Kielty was granted release by the Red Sox.
- Richie Sexson could decide where to go based on greatest offered playing time. I’d say that’s expected for a veteran starter.
- Olney says that requests for Max Scherzer are keeping the Dbacks from making any moves, such as for Raul Ibanez.
- David Ortiz is slated to return to the lineup on July 25th, which leaves the Red Sox less than a week to evaluate him and make a move if necessary. Olney details some options:
- Acquire a hitter during the waiver period after the deadline. This would rule out comparable replacements such as Matt Holliday or Mark Teixeira.
- Make a "preemptive strike" for Holliday or Teixeira costing them "at least one of their best prospects".
- Target a "second or third tier bat" such as Ibanez or Xavier Nady.
- Continue on with or without an effective Ortiz, hoping their offense is good enough.
Red Sox Rumors: Bonds, Fuentes
Checking in on the Red Sox…
- The rumor that the Red Sox quietly worked out Barry Bonds at Fenway made its way to GM Theo Epstein, who dismissed it. Tony Massarotti is in favor of the idea, nonetheless. David Ortiz felt no pain following batting practice, so it may be a moot point.
- According to Ed Price, Rockies reliever Brian Fuentes remains on Boston’s radar. Epstein admitted he is monitoring the relief market.
- Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal profiles prospects the Sox could use as trade chips.
Red Sox Trade Wish List
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald takes a look at Boston’s wish list, some of which could be fulfilled via trade this month.
- The Red Sox are still looking for an heir to Jason Varitek‘s throne. Apparently the Sox have inquired about catching prospects. The Rangers are considered to have the game’s largest surplus at the position.
- Julio Lugo is signed through 2010, but the Red Sox are looking for a better long-term option at short. Massarotti doesn’t mention how Jed Lowrie fits into the plan.
- Massarotti says the Red Sox are "closely monitoring" Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira. Their interest will be linked to David Ortiz‘s health.
- The Sox are also in the market for a left-handed setup man. Names to consider: George Sherrill, Brian Fuentes, Damaso Marte, Ron Mahay, and Jeremy Affeldt.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Liriano, Garcia, Willingham
Ken Rosenthal has a new hot stove article up.
- Rosenthal leads with some Mark Teixeira-Angels speculation, but admits the Braves aren’t considering trading him and the Angels are content with their team. The Halos’ .706 team OPS ranks 12th in the AL; something should be done.
- All kinds of Mariners turmoil. They could look to acquire a center fielder given the move back to right for Ichiro. Releases of Richie Sexson and Jose Vidro could be on the agenda. And chemistry problems abound, with Ichiro and Kenji Johjima at the center.
- The Ms might consider Chris Antonetti and David Forst for the GM job, but both could choose to wait for the position to open up on their current teams. Antonetti seems likely to stay put, based on his comments and actions.
- Adam Dunn likes the Reds’ future and wants to stay.
- If the Twins keep Francisco Liriano in the minors a bit longer, he will lose his shot at becoming a Super Two player.
- Past reports have named the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Mariners, and Tigers as clubs interested in Freddy Garcia. Rosenthal adds the Rays to the mix.
- On Sunday, Peter Gammons said the Red Sox "might look at a count worker like the Marlins’ Josh Willingham" if David Ortiz needs surgery. Rosenthal agrees that the Sox "indeed might be interested" but believes the Marlins want to hang on to him (even though he reaches arbitration after this season).
- The Cardinals "made a quick inquiry" on Michael Barrett but backed off when Yadier Molina’s injury turned out to be day-to-day.
Will Ortiz Injury Lead To Acquisition?
11:21pm: Terry Francona says surgery for Ortiz is "very unlikely."
9:28pm: Bad news for the Red Sox – DH David Ortiz will miss a significant chunk of the season with his wrist injury. There’s even a chance Ortiz could need season-ending surgery.
An open DH spot in Boston is sure to light up the rumor mill. Keep in mind, though, that the Sox could fill the vacancy internally. For example, Manny Ramirez could DH and Brandon Moss could play left.
Plenty of bats are out there if Theo Epstein does look for outside help. The following players may be available: Barry Bonds, Adam Dunn, Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, Brian Giles, Raul Ibanez, and Milton Bradley.
Heyman’s Best-Ever Free Agent Deals
A few weeks ago Jon Heyman gave us his list of the worst-ever free agent signings, and you guys chimed in on what deals should have been included on the list.
Heyman is back at it again. This time, he has his list of the 20 best free agent signings ever. Topping the list is the 1-year/$1.25MM deal given to David Ortiz back in 2003. I am not convinced that a 1-year deal deserves to be at the top of this list.
So let’s have it. Which deal would top your list? What deals not on the list, deserve to be included?
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.