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.

Merry Christmas Sox Fans?

The OC Register is reporting the Boston Red Sox have offered Mark Teixeira a eight year deal worth $200 million. The report would blow the offers from the other teams completely out of the water and if true means we can expect a Teixeira press conference at Fenway by the end of the week. Dan Patrick reported on his show on AM 570 that the Boston Red Sox have made first baseman Mark Teixeira an eight-year, $200 million offer. If so, that blows the reported eight-year, $160 million offers by the Angels and the Washington Nationals out of the water. Patrick said Monday morning: “If it’s true they’re offering $200 million to a career .290 hitter, it’ll be interesting to see what the Angels do.” UPDATE 1:06AM: Tim Dierkes at MLB Trade Rumors has a bit saying a reader of his blog told him he heard the Dan Patrick comments and that Patrick was giving a hypothetical situation. A reader who heard the show says Patrick was only speaking in the hypothetical with the $200MM figure, so Bloom's post was apparently inaccurate. This is why I typically avoid radio reports unless I hear them myself...sorry about that. In listening to the Reggie Miller interview on Patrick's site he was definitely only giving an opinion during that portion. However later Monday Earl Bloom at The OC Register posted a followup where he clarified his original post and even took a shot at Dierkes. This is a blog. There are comments made on the internet, the radio, television. We mention them, link to them, perhaps comment on them ourselves. It’s a discussion, people. First of all, if it was a news story, it would have cited sources. Mr. Patrick didn’t. He mentioned a report of $200 million, and then he said — which was quoted in the post — “if it’s true they’re offering $200 million to a .290 hitter, it’ll be interesting to see what the Angels do.” He then speculated about Manny Ramirez. That’s it, the extent of it. A comment on a comment on an unspecified report. Amazingly, even other bloggers didn’t get it. UPDATE 9:51AM: Seems there may have been some accuracy to what Dan Patrick said yesterday. Michael Silverman is reporting Boston has made an offer to Teixeira for eight years and Teixeira seeking a deal closer to A-Rods per season salary then not. Silverman says Boston views Teixiera in the same “must-have” light as they did Matsuzaka.

Blogs And Such

Here's a quick rundown of happenings around the world of Red Sox blogs. » Ian at Sox & Dawgs gives us a brief rundown of known offers for Mark Teixeira, like me, Ian hopes he is sporting some of those new uniforms and hats unveiled Thursday by the Red Sox. » Hideki Okajima is running a marathon tomorrow, the Red Sox wish they had known so they could have discouraged him from doing so. » Within an hour last night there was a report of an offer from Boston to Kenshin Kawakami and then a denial by an unnamed baseball source. The source called the reported $21 million offer over three years to be not accurate, the brief post by Amalie Benjamin ended with the line "The Sox apparently have not made an offer to Kawakami.", whether that last part was also from the source or an opinion from Benjamin could be vital, as a denial of the reported offer without the last line could suggest an offer was made, but not for the amount reported. I am waiting for a response to an inquiry to Benjamin regarding that. » Cyn talks about Major League Baseball refusing to increase the amount of money given to minor leaguers each day for meals. The amount currently sits at $20 and an increase of $5 was approved by the General Managers last month in California, MLB officials failed to even present the proposal to owners. » Cyn also has a Did you know post, I'm guessing she'd rather be in the boat then under it. » Red is getting his bunker ready. » Headwarmer is apparently sick of the hype and has decided to watch Oprah. » Paul gets all number nerdy again over at YFSF as he takes a look at just who Mark Teixeira is.

Red Sox Target Another Japanese Pitcher

Perhaps the Boston Red Sox should have incorporated some Japanese text into their new logo yesterday. Already with three Japanese pitchers on their 40-man roster, the Boston Red Sox have now reportedly made the largest offer to Kenshin Kawakami and his accepting the offer is probably now just a formality as he has expressed a lot of interest in signing with Boston. According to Nikkan Sports, the Red Sox have offered Kawakami $21 million over three seasons to join the back end of the Red Sox rotation. Many around baseball have suggested recently that Boston should focus on signing starting pitching as opposed to going after Mark Teixeira, but that never made sense for a team with three aces already to spend heavily on the high priced, high risk starters on the market. With this move Theo Epstein shows why he is one of the best General Managers in baseball. UPDATE: A baseball source is saying the Nikkan Sports report is not accurate and the Sox have not made an offer. Keep in mind though that sources were saying the Sox hadn't made an offer to Jason Varitek while according to the Providence Journal, Theo Epstein confirmed Varitek was among the players they have made offers to.

Red Sox Unveil Uniform Changes

Not bad, I like returning to the blue text on road jersey, and I like that it's in the Red Sox font now.

No big news regarding the Boston Red Sox yet from Las Vegas, but there's plenty of news in general. » Thursday the Red Sox will unveil a new logo and uniform design. The changes according to the Red Sox will be for select uniforms which would suggest the new designs would only be used occasionally. New Era reportedly briefly posted a new Red Sox hat on its website but was taken down a short time later, that hat design is pictured to the right. A new design of the teams alternate uniform is likely what will be unveiled tomorrow as changing its home uniform or everyday hat design would likely be cause for a huge outcry from Red Sox Nation. Currently the Red Sox use a Red jersey with blue lettering as its alternate jersey. » The Red Sox are currently viewed as the most likely destination for Mark Teixeira. No figure has been released as part of what Boston may have or may offer Teixeira as it's initial offer. Washington is reportedly willing to give $200 million over 10 years while Baltimore is willing to go nine years at about $20 million per season. Teixeira reportedly wants to play on the east coast which if true takes the Angels out of the running. » Boston appears to be on a short list of teams John Smoltz would be willing to play for. He would come at a much cheaper price than Derek Lowe or AJ Burnett and likely can be had for a shorter deal which would be attractive to Boston as long term they have plenty of options for the rotation with Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, Junichi Tazawa and Michael Bowden. » The Red Sox are reluctant to sign Rocco Baldelli because of concerns he wouldn't be available to play long stretches which might be a must with JD Drew on the roster. » Kenshin Kawakami is interested in joining the Red Sox, he is a left handed starter who's making the jump from Japan to Major League Baseball.

Red Sox Have Interest In Andy Pettitte

From Boston.com Though there is no indication that any deal is imminent or that the Sox have done anything more than kick the tires, the Sox have expressed some interest in the pitcher, according to a source. The Sox made Pettitte an offer several years ago when Pettitte signed with the Houston Astros after leaving the New York Yankees, though part of Pettitte's desire to pitch for Houston at that time involved Roger Clemens' presence with the Astros. This year, Pettitte earned $16 million while going 14-14 with a 4.54 ERA for the Yankees. The 36-year-old seems likely to return to New Yorj this offseason, but the Red Sox could be a fit later in the offseason if certain elemnts fall into place.

Monday Quick Hits

•The chances of Boston acquiring Jarrod Saltalamacchia took a serious hit this weekend when the Rangers traded Gerald Laird to Detroit. Boston appears to have turned their attention to Kelly Shoppach. •According to Mike Silverman, Willie Bloomquist continues to be associated with the Red Sox. •Buster Olney would be shocked if Rocco Baldelli isn't with the Red Sox in '09. •Tony Massarotti wants Boston to take care of their entire off season to do list in Vegas this week. •Jason Varitek and Paul Byrd declined arbitration. •Theo and company arrived in Vegas around midnight eastern time.

Winter Meetings

Next weeks winter meetings could lead to several signings across baseball including Boston. I plan to update the blog several times daily during the meetings next week.

Sox Lock Up Pedroia

It's a six year deal for about $40.5 million and a club option for 2015. UPDATE: Just a quick opinion on this deal. I think Pedroia was the most vital young player the Red Sox have to get locked up long term. Corner infielders are easy to comeby on the free agent market as are starting pitchers. MVP calliber second basemen don't come around everyday. I expect Jonathan Papelbon and Kevin Youkilis have deals coming this winter, possibly Jon Lester too, but Lester may get left waiting for one more offseason.

Sox Land Tazawa

Junichi Tazawa has decided to accept the Boston Red Sox offer and will officially sign in early December when he is officially allowed to. Reports say the offer from Boston is for three years at $1 million per and that he will begin at AA Portland. He will remain a starter and will be provided with a personal translator. The deal is a major league deal. The signing doesn't come as much of a surprise as most expected he would sign with Boston. UPDATE: Signed, sealed and delivered.