Diving In

Well for those who thought Boston might have a quiet winter once Curt Schilling and Mike Lowell were re-signed, so much for that.

Boston has come up in several area's of rumors over the past several days.

Johan Santana
Obviously everyone knows whats happening here. Boston has been in discussions with the Twins for several days now about a deal to bring the best left-handed starter in the majors to Boston for the 2008 season and beyond.

Boston had been unwilling to include Jacoby Ellsbury in a deal for Santana, however ESPN reports that they have decided to make Ellsbury available but not in combination with Jon Lester.

Others have said that the ESPN stroy isn't accurate and that Boston has not offered Ellsbury.

Still further rumors have said that Boston would be willing to include Lester and Ellsbury together if the Twins added a player, most mentioned are Joe Nathan and Pat Neshek.

Erik Bedard
Jayson Stark reports that the Sox do have interest in the Baltimore starter.

Ben Sheets
This is somewhat new. Boston apparently has been in talks with Milwaukee about Ben Sheets, some rumors I have seen suggest a deal that could include several players including Sheets, JJ Hardy, Julio Lugo, Jon Lester and some minor leaguers.

--more in a bit--