Adding A 50 HR First Baseman

Okay, I have had the issue of too many outfielders on my mind far to long now, so I have decided to work out a solution. Its fairly simple actually and involves just moving one player from Boston, unloading this player shouldn't be too difficult and he has no place in Boston's plans beyond 2007 anyway. You wont get much in return for him, but perhaps just unloading his $9 million salary to clear up space to add Roger Clemens is return enough. Farewell Mike Lowell, thanks for the great defense at third base last season, we appreciate what you brought to the team, but its time to move on like the Patriots have with so many players nearing the end of there production. Now for fitting in all these outfielders. First lets assume the JD Drew contract gets finished, without that there's no need for this. Lets start with moving Kevin Youkilis to third base, this opens up a spot at first base where we get the power hitter mentioned in the post title, insert David Ortiz. I know what your thinking, but seriously he's not that bad a fielder. His career % is .989 not great but not crappy either. In 2004 Boston's accumulated fielding % at the position was .989 so we know championships can be won with his fielding % at the position. This of course would mean you need to rework his contract a bit, he would be highly underpaid as a first baseman, not that he isn't already anyway. Now to the outfield. Manny Ramirez becomes the casualty and moves to DH, not that going from playing so much that you need to take sabbaticals throughout the year to walking to the plate four times a night can be classified as a casualty. This now opens the extra outfield spot to align Wily Mo Pena, Coco Crisp and JD Drew however. I think Pena fits best into center defensively, the Crisp in left and Drew in right, but I'm sure everyone has there opinion on this. The results would be a small fall off defensively at first, but not so far as that it could have a major impact on the season as a whole. Meantime we add about 22 homers to the lineup (Nixon 8 + Lowell 20 = 28; Drew 20 + Pena 30 = 50). Now I know some are skeptical that Pena would hit 30 in a full season but its a fair number to predict, in fact could be under predicted, also take into account that Crisp in a full season should improve on his 8 homers from his injury filled season.

Monday Morning Rundown

J.D. Drew On Hold Boston has yet to finalize the deal with J.D. Drew because of concern over his physical. Drew will get a second opinion today and Boston is working with Boras on contract language that several insiders say could now include a out clause for the Sox as a precaution. Should a dewal not be worked out now, Drew will find it hard to land a deal near what Boston offered and could have trouble landing a deal near what he walked away from in Los Angelas. Matsuzaka-San Back To Japan After house shopping in Boston Daisuke Matsuzaka returned to Japan to settle what needs to be done there before returning to begin workingout. Matsuzaka also added $3 million to his income with two seperate endorsement deals with Coca Cola and Toyota for about $1.5 million each, this ontop of the undisclosed value of his new Nike deal. Sox Lose Out On Kuwata Boston had been expected to sign Japanese veteran Masumi Kuwata, but he decided to join the Pittsbugh Pirates Sunday. Kuwata has played in the Japanese leagues for 20 years and could have been a good fit to serve as a mentor for both Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima in Boston.

Sox Add Two Relievers

Boston today added two pitchers to team in free agent J.C. Romero and aquired Brendan Donnelly from the Angels for minor leaguer Phil Seibel. Romero, 30, was 1-2 with a 6.70 ERA in 65 games in 2006 for the Angels. Leftys hit just .211 against him. He became a free agent after the Angels declined to exercise his option for 2007. Donnelly, 35, has a 23-8 career record in 5 seasons for the Angels. In 2006 Donnelly was 6-0 with a 3.94 ERA in 62 games.

Thursday Morning Rundown

Red Sox and Matsuzaka Finalize Deal The deal was in place when they boarded the plane to Boston yesterday, was further discussed in flight and was finalized at the hospital last night during Matsuzaka's physical. The contract calls for a total of $52 million in guaranteed money with another $6 million in incentives. Matsuzaka also gets a number of perks from the Sox including a massage therapist, physical therapist, interpreter and 80-90 flights over the course of the deal, he also gets special housing and transportation arrangements and accommodations for his wife. Matsuzaka gets a $2 million signing bonus with salaries of $6 million in 2007, $8 million in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and $10 million in 2011 and 2012. The deal could have been helped along after reports came out of Japan that had Matsuzaka not come to an agreement with Boston, the Seibu Lions would have sent him to the minor leagues pushing back his free agency until after the 2009 season. Doug Mirabelli Extends Boston Career You knew as long as Boston wanted him he would return, so sure enough Mirabelli agreed to a 1 year deal for $700,000 yesterday. He will go into spring training again as the personal catcher for Tim Wakefield, but will his service be needed every fifth day? Sox To Still pursue Roger Several analysts still list Boston as the likely landing spot for Roger Clemens in 2007. Should Clemens indeed return to Boston to wrap up his career that will leave some serious problems for Boston when it comes to the rotation. Already having Curt Schilling, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon, Tim Wakefield and Jon Lester locked up someone would be left out and the likeliest would be Tim Wakefield. Should Wakefield be pushed back to long relief it would bring into question Boston's need for Mirabelli, whose lone asset to the team is catching Wakefield, but can you reasonably bring him in mid game when Wakefield relieves a starter? Stay tuned.

The $52 Million Man

Daisuke Matuzaka has 52 million reasons to smile and he knows it. *UPDATE* 11:26PM ESPNNews has just reported that Matsuzaka has passed his physical, this comes about 30 minutes after Scott Boras confirmed the deal to ESPN.com. A complete rap on the story in the morning. Midflight from Orange County, California to Bedford, Massachusetts, Scott Boras and Theo Epstein finalized a deal that would pay Matsuzaka $52 million over the next 6 seasons, theres oportunity for an additional $8 in incentives. Upon arriving at Laurence G Hanscom Airforce Base in John Henry's private jet this evening, Matsuzaka, Boras, Epstein and company were loaded into a motorcade with a police escort to head to Massachusetts General Hospital so Matsuzaka's physical could be performed to finalize the deal that needs to be completed by midnight tomorrow. On Monday, the plane carrying Epstein and Luccino was deverted from its original flight plan that had it going to William P Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas according to flight records from flightaware.com. The plane then headed to John Wayne Airport in Orance County. Theres no explanation for the original course being Houston other then Boston having thought there was no way to geta Matsuzaka deal done and they were planning a meeting with Clemens, its possible then word got to them that a deal could still happen and they diverted the plane to meet in person with Boras and Matsuzaka.

From BostonDirtDogs

Susumu Higashi!

Daisuke Matsuzaka and Scott Boras have boarded John Henry's plane for the flight back to Boston. Sources close to the negotiations said no deal is finished, but the sides are close to a final deal. With a deal possibly being done before they land in Boston, the Red Sox have just about wrapped up there likely #2 starter next season. Should Matsuzaka sign and start the second game of the season, that would set up a media frenzy at Fenway Park for the home opener, baring any rainouts Matsuzaka would be inline to throw his first Fenway pitch to Japanese superstar Ichiro Suzuki.

Wednesday Morning Rundown

D-Day Today is it! If Daisuke Matsuzaka isn't on John Henry's plane with the Sox when it leaves early this afternoon there will be no deal. Good news perhaps is reports that Scott Boras has countered with a 6 year $11 million per season offer. No word on whether that would include a boatload of incentives. Kapler The Skipper Gabe Kapler retired yesterday and was named the manager of Boston's single A Greenville Drive. Lugo Official! Julio Lugo in an interview on Boston's WEEI this morning confirmed his deal with Boston was official. He's scheduled to be introduced at a 3:30pm press conference today. Stepping It Up For Roger? The Houston Chronicles John P. Lopez suggests Boston has told Roger Clemens he can have about the same type deal he's had with Houston in terms of perks if he signs with Boston, however the Sox would want Clemens to join the team much sooner the mid June, which is when he played his first game last season.

The Japan Red Sox

According to the Japan Times and Boston.com, the Red Sox will sign Masumi Kuwata to a minor league deal shortly giving him an invitation to spring training. Kuwata is a 38-year old RHP who has played for 20 seasons for the Yomiuri Giants. He would leave Boston with an experienced bullpen guy should the need arise. Also today theres reports the Rangers have signed Eric Gagne to a $8 million contract which could open the door for Boston to aquire Akinori Otsuka for a OF perhaps Coco Crisp. Oksuna in 202 career games has a 11-14 record with a 2.43 era, but was a full time closer in 2006 getting 32 saves. He will be 35 when the season starts and had 47K in 59.2 innings in '06. Stay tuned.

Manny On His Way Out?

The thought of Manny Ramirez being traded seemed dead last night, but according to several sources events today could have reignited talks between Boston and Los Angelas. According to ESPN Deportes a deal could be announced today. The Dodgers signed Jason Schmidt to a 3 year deal valued at $47 million. The signing of Schmidt now gives the Dodgers a surplus of pitching and opens the door to a deal centered around a young starter such as Brad Penny. Boston would be looking for additional talent and have been interested in James Loney a first baseman and Andy LaRoche a third baseman. If able to complete this trade getting Penny and either Loney or LaRoche it would enable Boston to take about $30 million off its 2007 payroll ($20 million for Ramirez and $9 million for Lowell who would presumably be dealt to make room for either Loney or LaRoche. Kevin Youkilis plays both positions and would play in the open spot.) As of right now the Boston payroll is at about $137 million, by taking the $30 million off the books it opens up the room Boston has to negotiate with Daisuke Matsuzaka without worrying about the luxary tax. Boston also has interest in reliver Jonathan Broxton and Boston would certainly be interested in him being part of the deal. After the signing of J.D. Drew Tuesday, Ramirez became more expendible with the Red Sox having Coco Crisp, Wily Mo Pena, Drew, Ramirez and Eric Hinske under contract next season.

Theo Continues Deals

Julio Lugo is in the house. The Boston Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday with shortstop Julio Lugo that would pay him $36 million over the next four years. Details of the agreement were provided to The Associated Press by a person involved in the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not final. Lugo must pass a physical before the agreement is completed.

Boston Targets Several Players

Theo Epstein is in pursuit of several players at the winter meetings including former Dodgers closer Eric Gagne and 2004 Sox hero Keith Foulke. Most insiders condiser Boston the front runner for Gagne, who's coming off surgery this year. He certainly comes with risk and could possibly be signed to a incentive based contract. Boston is also in talks this week with Keith Foulke who was offered arbitration but is expected to decline that, under new rules should he decline arbitration he wouldn't have to wait until May 1 to resign with Boston as has been the rule in years past. If Boston lands both Gagne and Foulke and they can play back to the level they were at pre-injury, Boston could have the most complete bullpen in baseball. The bullpen is expected to include Mike Timlin, Julian Tavarez, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen, and Tim Wakefield should Boston decide to start Jon Lester giving them a lefty in the rotation.

Top Prospect Jon Lester Wraps Up Chemotherapy

Boston's pitching staff got a little more crowded Tuesday to the delight of the franchise and Red Sox nation. Jon Lester, the top prospect who has been sidelined since August when he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, has confirmed that his doctors have informed him he can stop chemotherapy following his next session. "It was my expectation from the beginning to be at spring training at some point," Lester said Tuesday. "Now that everything is looking good and ready to go, I'm ready to be there on the reporting day that pitchers and catchers need to be there."

Now Batting For The Boston Red Sox...JD Drew

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Outfielder J.D. Drew has agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Red Sox according to Drew's agent, Scott Boras. The deal will be completed after Drew takes his physical.

Manny, Matsuzaka, Nixon and more

Theo Ready To Shove Manny Out The Door? It seems more and more likely Manny Ramirez played his last game as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 2006. The team continues to offer no information on the status of Manny, but all indications are a deal will be made following the signing of J.D. Drew which could come as early as Monday. The hottest rumor has Boston targeting Jake Peavy and Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego, should that deal happen Boston will have arguably the best rotation in the majors next season. Boston would then also have another trade chip in Mike Lowell who certainly upped his value last season and at $9 million could be a bargain for someone. Adding Adrian Gonzalez would move Kevin Youkilis back to 3rd base. Scott Boras Sets Value On Daisuke Matsuzaka Bosas appears to be seeking a 6 year deal for about $12 million per season. Many had long expected the sticking point in negotiations to be length of the deal with Boras trying to get Matsuzaka on the free agent market after 3 seasons. With Boras seeking a 6 year deal, I think its more likely for Boston to go with the higher figure. In the end I anticipate a 6 year deal for about $10 million per season with incentives that could up the deal to $13-14 million per season. No deal is expected to be finalized til the last days of the negotiation window. Sox To Stack Outfield By Offering Arbitration To Trot Nixon The market has been so cool to Trot Nixon that he would most likely accept arbitration to remain in Boston. He would most likely receive a raise from last season to remain where he wants to be. His role would be to platoon with Wily Mo Pena next season in rightfield with Drew in center and Coco Crisp moving to leftfield to replace a departed Ramirez. You can call me 'Okaji Boston signed a lefty from Japan to a 2 year deal for $1.5 million per. Hideki Okajima was introduced to the media at Fenway thursday. Last season, Okajima served as setup man for the Nippon Ham Fighters, posting a 2-2 record with a career-best 2.14 ERA in 55 appearances for the Japan Series champions, who were managed by a Westerner, Trey Hillman. In his previous 11 seasons, Okajima pitched for the Yomiuri Giants, a team that inspired him to go by "Okaji" because of the longtime presence of home run king Hideki Matsui, now a New York Yankee. Okajima, who was an unrestricted free agent, came at a considerably lower price than what Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka may cost: The Sox signed him to a two-year deal that will pay him $1.25 million in each of the next two seasons, with the club holding a $1.75 million option for 2009. Okajima said he has met Matsuzaka, but that's about as far as their relationship goes. (boston.com) Drew Deal On The Horizon All signs continue to point to the Red Sox signing Drew, possibly as soon as Monday, when the winter meetings begin. By all indications, the Sox may be close to a deal with Drew that pays him $14 million per season, with a duration of either four ($56 million total) or five ($70 million total) years (the fifth year could also be an option year). Drew had 100 RBIs, 89 walks, 34 doubles, and a .393 OBP for the Dodgers last season. (boston.com)