Red Sox Aquire Reliever

The Boston Red Sox have aquired David Aardsma from the Chicago White Sox for Willy Mota and Miguel Socolovich.

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--

Lowel, Sox Agree

Mike Lowell has agreed to re-sign with the Boston Red Sox for three years at $37.5 million. The Red Sox had set a deadline for today for Lowell to say yes or no to the offer. Boston was unwilling to add a fourth year even though sources indicated Lowell had a four year offer from atleast one team. This deal became more important for Boston when Alex Rodriguez decided to return to New York.

Sentiment On Lowell Turning?

Even before the World Series was over, a clear majority of Red Sox Nation was letting it be known that Theo Epstein should re-sign Mike Lowell at any cost. Fans were saying if Lowell wanted a fourth year then give him it, losing Lowell would be worse then losing Johnny Damon or Pedro Martinez. This is pretty much what one read no matter where they were reading be it Yanks Fan vs Sox Fan, Surviving Grady or even the Boston Globe and Boston Herald websites. The sentiment has appeared to change, at least a little. Yesterday the Herald reported that Mike Lowell has received a offer from the Red Sox that would guarantee three years. The story certainly comes off as the Red Sox positioning themselves to the fans as the good guy doing everything they could to sign Lowell without harming the club in the future. Fans have spoke out in response to the article and a sampling of the comments make it seem it's working at least to some degree. From the comments section of the Herald story Tara said, "Don't be stupid Mike. Is it about Boston and baseball or about money. Budget your money well and retire rich and happy after 3 years. Red Sox Nation has shown the love, time to show it back." Kevin added, "If the money is right, mike should sign this deal. Any team would be stupid to give him over 3 years. A "conservative" (and possibly smarter) offer by the sox would have been for 2 years." Ron said, "Losing Mike Lowell is bad, but not the end of the world. A few years ago evryone wanted to sign Bill Mueller to a contract to play 3rd base and look what happened to him...The moral of the story, don't fall in love with the player(s)." Meantime over at Yanks Fan vs Sox Fan Dionysus said "I think I'd give him four years. Im ok with that. Im pretty sure I am. Or I'm desperate." The general consensus there seemed to be that the Red Sox offer was a take it or leave it message from the Red Sox Front Office. The Boston.com message boards were busy with Lowell chatter with PrahaSMC saying "There's my off-season agenda. No Lowell, no ARod. Yes to fiscal sanity." Robin_Graves said "Lowell's gone. He had a good year because Manny had a bad year. He got Manny's RBIs. That's the end of the story. I'm sure Lowell and his agent think a big raise is due. It's not. 2007 was an anomoly. Slim chance he gets 100 RBIs again with the Red Sox. No chance he hits .300."

Lowell To Stay?

While Boston.com reports that the Red Sox will meet with Scott Boras tonight when Alex Rodriguez is sure to be discussed, the Boston Red Sox have reportedly offered Mike Lowell a three-year deal with an option for a fourth year. The Red Sox are still waiting to hear back from Lowell and his agent.

Worth Every Schilling

It's a done deal. Curt Schilling and the Red Sox have finalized the deal that will bring him back for his final season as a MLB pitcher. From Boston.com Curt Schilling and the Red Sox finalized a one-year, $8 million contract today, the pitcher announced on his web site. According to Schilling, the deal includes a possible $6 million in incentives in addition to his base salary: $2 million in weight incentives, $3 million based on innings pitched, and $1 million if he receives a Cy Young vote. Schilling made the announcement on his blog with the permission of the Red Sox front office. The deal looks like this. $8 million in guaranteed base salary $2 million in bonuses for 6 seperate (sic) weigh ins. I inserted the weigh in clause in the 2nd round of offers, counter offers. Given the mistakes I made last winter and into Spring Training I needed to show them I recognized that, and understood the importance of it. Being overweight and out of shape are two different things. I also was completely broad sided by the fact that your body doesn’t act/react the same way as you get older. Even after being told that for the first 39 years of my life. Now I can’t get on Dougie anymore, which sucks, and I am sure the clause will add 15-100 more jokes to Tito’s Schilling joke book. $3 million in IP incentives based on IP totals. $1 million for receiving a Cy Young vote, any vote. Schilling added that he left money on the table. Did I ‘leave’ money on the table, yes. Could I have gotten another year? I think so. In talking with my advisor Ed Hayes, assessing the market place and current free agent crop as well as existing contracts. Looking at the teams that called, my best guess would be around 14-15 million for a 1 year deal with the potential to get 25-30 for a two year deal.

CURTain Call?

Theres reports that Curt Schilling and the Red Sox are close to a contract extension to bring Schilling back for the final season of his career. The Boston Herald reports the deal maybe close... Schilling, when reached by phone last night, said that things “gathered momentum and if they continued to progress like they did (yesterday) something could potentially get done.” The deal is believed to be incentive-laden and, according to sources, might be simply contingent on a final physical. Schilling had initially been looking for a $13 million extension before last season. Other sources are saying the deal is done and an announcement could come tomorrow. Check back for more on this breaking story.

Where Does A-Rod Want To Play?

According to reports, Alex Rodriguez is telling friends he wants to play for Boston. That was clear in 2003 when he was willing to lower the value of his contract as part of a trade to the Red Sox, the MLBPA refused to allow him to do that and he was eventually traded to the Yankees. The question now is if he indeed does want to play in Boston, how much will he demand to play here. He reportedly asked the Yankees for #350 Million over the next 10 years. Would he be willing to go less to play in Boston? Say $300 Million over 10 years? The Epstein doesn't seem interested in talking about the matter publicly, but he surely has or will have an initial conversation with Scott Boras before the end of the first day of the GM Meetings that started today.

Red Sox: Friday Transactions

The Red Sox today picked up the options on Julian Tavarez and Tim Wakefield. With the move Wakefield has also reeceived a 2009 team option as part of his contract with the Red Sox, each year if they pick up the $4 million team option he gets a new team option at the same amount for the following year. Tavarez will return for his third year with Boston, the do-it-all pitcher will also make $4 million in 2008. Boston also completed its deal with St. Louis that sent Joel Pinero to the Cardinals. The Sox pick up outfielder Sean Danielson. Kevin Cash declined an assignment to AAA and opted for free agency.

The Fun Leading Upto The Trade Deadline

In NASCAR they call it Silly Season and some of the names being tossed around as targets fans want Boston going after before the July 31 trade deadline makes you wonder if MLB should call it the same thing. Torri Hunter? Ichiro Suzuki? Some fans want both of them in the lineup this summer and beyond. Sure that would be great, but we need to think ahead. The Sox only have three outfield positions and JD Drew is locked very expensively into one of them for the foreseeable future. Coco Crisp surely doesn't have a secure job, but who exactly would you rather have roaming center long term, an aging Ichiro, a similarly aging Hunter or the hot prospect in Pawtucket Jacoby Ellsbury? If one single Sox fans says anything other then Ellsbury, smack yourself now because you deserve it. Then of course there's Manny Ramirez. Hunter could be a decent replacement for Boston who should have no problem unloading Ramirez anytime they so feel it is time. However Hunter doesn't strike the fear that Manny does at the plate, he doesn't walk as much as one would like and most importantly his OBP numbers don't meet the standards the Sox front office likes, his career high was .337 last season and he's more likely to finish a season closer to .300 then .350 on any give year. Manny's worst OBP season with Boston was .388 in 2005 and he's more likely to be over .400 then not. Other names we hear are Mark Teixeira the first baseman from Texas, his OBP number more reflect what Boston looks for and his power could help Boston unload Ramirez and go with a lighter hitting outfielder without harming the total offense of the team. If Boston landed Teixeira they would likely move Kevin Youkilis back to third base and that would lead to the end of Mike Lowell's sucessful stay in Boston. Lowell of course is highly sought after by numerous teams looking for a bat at third and a deadline deal is more likely to involve Lowell then any other player on the Sox major league roster. Playing General Manager What moves would I make if I were the General Manager? First as much as I like Mike Lowell I would move him if I could land Teixeira, thats an easy move. Second I would go after Alex Rodriguez in the off season, not to would be the most idiotic move any GM with money to spend could do. Assuming I land Rodriguez and Teixeira I would send Manny packing to offset some of the cost, assuming Rodriguez gets around $24 million per season in his next deal and that it would take $12 million to lock Teixeira up for a few years that would be about a $7 million increase in payroll after deducting Lowell and Ramirez. Curt Schilling becomes the next casualty as I would not re-sign him after this season, that's another $13 million in savings leaving me $6 million under the 2007 payroll. To replace Schilling I go out and find a closer to take over for Jonathan Papelbon in 2008, though if I cant find one its not a big deal as Hideki Okajima can be a very effective bridge until 2009 when Craig Hansen or Manny Delcarmen among others should totally be ready to take the job...that's even more savings. I'm now looking to enter 2008 with a rotation of Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield. The next victim to fall will be Coco Crisp, I will pay someone to take him if I have to though someone surely would take him for a mid level prospect. His stay in Boston thus far has been a huge disappointment. Jacoby Ellsbury is the future in center field and the future is now. At this point most of you are probably pissed demanding to know why I cut Youkilis outta the equation. Don't fear, our favorite speedster is still with us, remember then lighter hitting outfielder I mentioned? Ladies and Gentlemen, your new left fielder... Kevin Youkilis. This leaves us with a Youkilis, Ellsbury, Drew outfield from left to right. A speedster sandwiched with two usually reliable OBP bats. At this point attention is turned to Wily Mo Pena. What to do with him? I love his potential but there's just no room for him and his bat has too big a whole to be an effective pinch hitter, so Pena becomes my latest trade chip. You hope to land a top level prospect for someone like Pena, someone who can be an important part of the team in the future. I would look for pitching, perhaps a middle reliever or a middle infielder who would be ready when Julio Lugo either finishes his contract in Boston or is forced into retirement by a legion of pissed off Sox fans. This leaves Boston in a great position in 2008 assuming some of the kids in Pawtucket are ready to step in the bullpen. If not there's a few spots there that would need to be answered as well, but I wish to assume Delcarmen and Hansen are ready to step in. If Clay Buchholz is ready in 2008 great he can take Wakefields spot sending Wakefield to the pen. If he needs another year in the minors thats fine too.

A-Rod Is Money In A Contract Year

Sure, it's not a guaranteed contract year, but there's no way Alex Rodriguez doesn't opt out of his contract after this season. He can't be happy in New York and he has a few teams who will be willing to hand him a bundle of money this offseason. Rodriguez has been on fire this season hitting 12 homeruns in his first 16 games which tied a Major League record. He has eight more games to hit three more to set the record for most April homers currently held by Albert Pujols at 14. But we wonder, would Rodriguez be on fire like this if he couldn't opt out after the season? We'll never know but it is an interesting question. Does Rodriguez play less passionatly for New York before this season because his heart isn't in New York? Perhaps, again short of a confession we'll never know. He performed great in his first two seasons in Texas while he was presumebly happy, playing in a atmospher of his choosing, in his third season his production dipped as perhaps the losing finally got to him. Two of his three seasons in New York have been far below Rodriguez's normal performance level, is it because of the atmosphere? Will the Boston Red Sox be one of those teams who will make a run at him if he opts out this winter? Probably, they nearly had him after the 2003 season before the MLBPA balked at the restructuring of his contract Boston and Rodriguez agreed to and the Yankees swooped in and stole him. Would Rodriguez still want to play in Boston? And would Red Sox nation want him now? This offseason could be a very interesting one for many teams. And here is the rest of it.