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.

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)

J.D. Drew, Welcome to Fenway Park

According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, J.D. Drew is expected to sign a 2-year, $30 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.