A New Beginning

Beginning Monday June 8, 2009 I will be launching a new blog that will cover American League East baseball. I have lined up some people to cover other teams. To see the new blog just follow this link over. http://www.al-east-blog.com/

Red Sox Lock Up Youkilis Through 2012

From Peter Gammons: The Red Sox locked up another of their young stars to a long-term deal Thursday. Boston avoided arbitration with Kevin Youkilis, agreeing to a four-year contract with the first baseman worth more than $40 million, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons. The deal includes an option for a fifth year. Youkilis enjoyed a breakout season in 2008, hitting .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs.

For Jim Rice, The Hall Finally Calls

After a long wait Jim Rice was finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today receiving 76.4% of the vote, 75% was required to earn election. Rice will be joined by Rickey Henderson who was named on 94.8% of ballots. Rice played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox from 1974-89. Rice was an 8 time all star and the 1978 American League Most Valuable Player. In his rookie year of 1975 he finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting and third in the American League Most Valuable Player voting, both awards were won by teammate Fred Lynn. In 1974 while playing at Pawtucket he was named the AAA Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and won the Triple Crown. Rice finished in the top five of American League MVP voting six times.

2009 Boston Red Sox

This is a listing of players the Red Sox have under control for 2009. This list will be updated regularly. Some lists maybe incomplete. Players under Red Sox control who will be with Boston on opening day. Pos....Player....................2009 Salary .C..... 1B.....Kevin Youkilis............$6,000,000 2B.....Dustin Pedroia............$1,500,000 3B.....Mike Lowell...............$12,000,000 SS.....Jed Lowrie................TBD LF.....Jason Bay.................$7,500,000 CF.....Jacoby Ellsbury...........TBD RF.....JD Drew...................$14,000,000 DH.....David Ortiz...............$12,500,000 .C.....Josh Bard.................$1,700,000 IF.....Julio Lugo................$9,000,000 OF.....Rocco Baldelli............$500,000 UT.....Mark Kotsay...............$1,500,000 SP.....Josh Beckett..............$10,500,000 SP.....Daisuke Matsuzaka.........$8,000,000 SP.....Jon Lester................TBD SP.....Brad Penny................$5,000,000 SP.....Tim Wakefield.............$4,000,000* RP.....Jonathan Papelbon.........TBD& RP.....Hideki Okajima............$1,750,000% RP.....Manny Delcarmen...........TBD RP.....Ramon Ramirez.............TBD RP.....Justin Masterson..........TBD RP..... RP..... *While the Red Sox have picked up the 2009 option on Wakefield, there are rumors that he will retire prior to the 2009 season, so while he appears to be set to be part of the 2009 Red Sox this could change. &Arbitration eligible for 2009. %Option that has been activated. Players signed who will start 2009 on Disabled List SP.....John Smoltz...............$5,500,000 Players under Red Sox control who may or may not return in 2009. SS.....Julio Lugo................$9,000,000# RP.....Javier Lopez..............TBD& RP.....David Aardsma.............DFA* #Under contract for 2009, could be traded. %Team options for 2009. &Arbitration eligible for 2009. *Designated for assignment to make room on 40 man roster for Mark Kotsay, could be sent to AAA if he clears waivers. Players under Red Sox control who may or may not start 2009 in Boston. SP.....Clay Buchholz.............TBD UT.....Jeff Bailey...............TBD SP.....Michael Bowden............TBD OF.....Chris Carter..............TBD SP.....Devern Hansack............TBD .C.....George Kottaras...........TBD SP.....David Pauley..............TBD RP.....Chris Smith...............TBD SP.....Charlie Zink..............TBD UT.....Paul McAnulty............. The players listed here are players who could play a significant role in the 2009 Boston Red Sox. This list maybe incomplete and will be updated. Updates: 9/15/08 - Added arbitration tag to Papelbon 11/19/08 - Crisp traded to Kansas City for Ramon Ramirez 11/20/08 - Red Sox signed 1B/OF Paul McAnulty to a minor league contract 1/8/09 - Red Sox signed Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz 1/15/09 - Updated some money figures

Sox To Sign John Smoltz

Future Hall of Famer John Smoltz will notify the Atlanta Braves Thursday morning that he will be signing with the Boston Red Sox. The deal is for a base salary of $5.5 million with another $5 million in easily atainable incentives. Smoltz isnt expected to be ready to pitch until late May and adds to the Red Sox depth in the rotation that now includes Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Brad Penny, Tim Wakefield along with young pitchers Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden. The Red Sox also have started Justin Masteron slotted for the bullpen in 2009. The signing of Smoltz could lead to a deal with Texas for a catcher, the deal would likely be centered around Buchholz and could lead to the end of an era in Boston with Jason Varitek not returning. Boston has already signed Josh Bard and he could be the veteran prescence on the team sharing time with a young catcher, likely Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Boston is also reportedly preparing to introduce Rocco Baldelli as a member of the Boston Red Sox Thursday night at Boston Baseball Writers Dinner.

Washington Times: Teixeira Announcement Expected Today

The Washington Times is reporting that an announcement is expected today on where Mark Teixeira will play starting next season. According to the major league baseball source, there are strong indications it is the Boston Red Sox who will emerge the victors. A major league baseball source has told The Washington Times' Thom Loverro that there will be an announcement today regarding the future of free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. While the source declined to discuss specifics, there are strong indications that the Red Sox will announce that they have landed the highly-coveted slugger, who has been courted this off-season by several major league clubs, including the Angels, Orioles and Nationals.

Report: Red Sox Agree In Principle On Deal With Mark Teixeira

I have no credibility on the source, but hey it's something to toss out there. Sons Of Bill Simmons is reporting that the Boston Red Sox and Mark Teixeira have agreed in principle to a contract for a reported eight years. Sources have confirmed to Sons of Simmons, that the Boston Red Sox have agreed in principle to an eight-year deal with first basemen Mark Teixeira. Details are still sketchy at the moment, but it looks to be for around $170 Million dollars, not the $195 Million that agent Scott Boras was asking for. I would imagine we'd know either way by the end of today since Teixeira has said he wants a new team by Christmas and it would be unlikely to wait until Christmas Eve to make the decision.

Gammons: Red Sox & Teixeira Not Far Apart

Here's the latest from Peter Gammons: Most free agents probably read Red Sox owner John Henry's cryptic e-mail in regards to the Teixeira negotiations, which probably was a rewrite of something he wrote to Frank McCourt when he was negotiating to buy McCourt's house outside Boston, which, roughly translated, might have read, "If you can get $30 million for the house, you'd be wise to take it." McCourt didn't, and Henry got the house for considerably less. One source close to Teixeira said Friday that the two sides are not that far apart, and the conciliatory and civilized nature of those words made it obvious that Teixeira likes Mr. Henry's neighborhood, he just wants the kitchen and heating system redone as part of the deal. Teixeira is a very bright man who might be willing to take Washington's money (if it has been offered) or go back to Anaheim or welcome the Yankees into negotiations; he knows what he thinks he is worth, and he knows Scott Boras' math says the Red Sox could sign him, Jason Varitek and Lowe and be right around last season's payroll.

Henry: "it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor"

John Henry has sent out a email in which he says the Red Sox apparently won't be a factor in the chase to sign Mark Teixeira. "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor." If what Henry said is true, this is a shocking development in the Teixeira sweepstakes, which most around baseball felt Boston was ahead in. However, unless the Yankees came swooping in and offered some ridiculous contract, which isn't entirely impossible, one would still have to think the Red Sox have a chance to sign Teixeira given his preference to be on the east coast and play for a contender. Teixeira could accept a lower offer to play for Boston instead of say signing with Washington for what is thought to be a higher offer, but a team that is no where near being ready to compete. Also unknown is wether Henry and Theo Epstein have left Texas or if they are still there and will possibly sit back down with Scott Boras and Teixeira again later this evening or perhaps tomorrow. While Henry's words make it seem like Boston is out of it, I wouldn't count them out until Teixeira's putting his signature on a contract elsewhere.

Report: Deal With Teixeira Could Be Finalized Tonight

Theo Epstein and John Henry are reportedly meeting with Scott Boras tonight in hopes of finalizing a eight year deal for $184 million.