I don't think Mueller's knees could handle a full season at 2B. If you don't like Bellhorn, I don't see why you'd be excited about Glaus. They're pretty much the same player, although Glaus admittedly gives you more power. Doesn't get on base as much, though. Reading up on Schneider, I think he'd be an acceptable alternative. He's just about the best defensive catcher in the game, and he might be one of those guys that flourishes in the AL where he won't see as many fastballs.
Mirabelli inked to a two-year, 3M deal. This is very good. May help with Varitek negotiations. Pedro's been offered a better deal than we're giving him by Minaya. If he takes it, it frees up a whole lot of cash to get Radke/Pavano/Clement/Perez and make a hard run at Tim Hudson.
This opinion may not be a popular one within Red Sox Nation (RSN), but I hope Pedro takes the offer, I wish him well, and thank him for seven great seasons. Not only does it free up cash, but let's face it, Pedro isn't the easiest guy to deal with a lot of the time, and more importantly, I don't think he's more than a six inning pitcher anymore with rare exceptions. While I'd want zero part of Perez, Clement, Pavano, and Radke are all intriguing. I'm not sure who I'd go for, Clement or Pavano, my dad says Clement, as does Dayn Perry of Sporting News. Either one for 9-10 mil plus 3-4 mil for bullpen depth sounds good to me if that's the direction they take. I'd really like Hudson, but it depends on how many other guys besides Arroyo will need to go for it to happen. Arroyo, Jon Lester, and and another pitching prospect? Yup. Also, Pedro wouldn't be able to hurt us with the Mets. Even with him and Benson, they are not close to being a playoff team. Mirabelli's return is big since we need a knuckleball catcher, and we've got half a catching tandem, even if I'm not comfortable with him back there 120-130 games a season.
I want Arroyo to stay here, personally. I'd rather see some sort of a three-way trade that gets us Hudson and sacrifices Youkilis, if anybody from the 40-man has to go. People on other boards are speculating as to how long before they outfit Trot for a first-baseman's mitt and get rid of both the guys we have there now. Maybe a couple years. I want Millar gone and to see Eyechart start some games.
It looks like Boras backed down from the 5/55 deal, and now is willing to have a 4 year deal with an option to void the 5th (similar to Bonds contract). Boras still asking for 11, Sox willing to give 9, so if both make a compromise we could see Tek signing a deal of 4/40 with an option to void the 5th.
If Matt Mantei gets his elbow healthy, a great addition for (in baseball terms) very little money: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2004/12/08/red_sox_sign_pitcher_matt_mantei/ Potential for an great addition to the bullpen.
36/4 is already completely nutso. I doubt Varitek will get better than that given that no other team would pay him anything near that amount.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseba...04/12/09/sox_martinez_meet_mantei_joins_team/ What's interesting is that Papi says Pedro isn't going to the Mets. I'm guessing he learned that from private conversation with Pedro, but we'll see. Sox also interested in David Wells and Julio Lugo. Lugo's quite a talent, but was arrested for assaulting his wife last year. That may scare the Sox away. We all remember the Wil Cordero Era, after all.
But unlike Cordero, Lugo was acquitted and probably deserves the benefit of the doubt. He's the best name I've heard so far in the search for a new SS. Can't imagine David Wells would be too fired up about making half his starts in Fenway Park, given how vocal he's been in his dislike towards the place... besides, I think there are better options to replace Lowe. And yeah... I think 4/36 is a little on the high side for Varitek. 750K for Mantei is a steal if he's healthy, though.
Renteria new Red Sox SS: http://www.boston.com/sports/baseba...to_sign_a_four_year_deal_with_edgar_renteria/ Disappointed to lose out on Pavano, but Renteria is better than Cabrera.
Given the escalation of salaries in the last few days, I have to take this back. 36/4 doesn't look too bad anymore. In fact, it looks like salaries are going back to the way they were 3 years ago. I suppose that ultimately helps rich teams like the Red Sox, but I can't be happy about it.
Sox are now in the hunt for Tim Hudson. I really like to hear that because Hudson has credentials. LA is still the leading contender and may look to sign him. "Free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria is not on the verge of signing with the Red Sox, according to a source with knowledge of his negotiations." That's from Fox Sports. I've also heard that the Mets have suggested a Manny for Piazza blockbuster deal. It'll never happen. Stupid Mets.
If what Prof. Zodiac posted yesterday is true about what the Sox are offering, I doubt it will be enough, unless it's Arroyo AND Nixon (and perhaps another pick or prospect or some salary relief). Other than that, LA's offer is best: their top minor league pitching prospect and their top offensive AAA infielder. Also, the Braves are still a serious contender, and with Ortiz gone they'll make a serious run at Hudson, who's from Alabama and would probably love playing in Georgia. As an A's fan, I like the idea of Hudson being out of the AL, thank you.
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1102921801285940.xml Manny for Cliff Floyd? I just threw up in my mouth.
NY Times is reporting its not going through. "Mets turn down Red Sox offer of Manny for Floyd" http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/261545p-223997c.html
Manny's contract is so bad, I'd have to really think about a Ramirez-for-Floyd deal. It would depend on what I could do with the savings. Starting to hear rumors that the Mets have won the Pedro Martinez Sweepstakes by adding a guaranteed fourth year. Ouch.
Manny has a big contract, but who are you going to get to replace him? Beltran? He's just not the fearsome hitter Manny is. He had a ridiculous postseason, but it clouds the fact that he hit .267 last year.
Peter Gammons is reporting that this is still going to happen, and very soon. The Pedro to Mets rumor is getting very hot, and supposedly the Sox will be after Tim Hudson.
One of the rumors floating around is that the Sox could use the money from a potential Ramirez-for-Floyd deal in order to sign Renteria and Carlos Delgado, who they've apparently been talking to. That would give you: CF: Damon 2B: Bellhorn 1B: Delgado DH: Ortiz C: Varitek SS: Renteria LF: Floyd RF: Nixon 3B: Mueller ...which isn't a bad lineup by any stretch of the imagination. And it would leave you with Millar, Mientkiewicz, Roberts and possibly Youkilis as potential trade bait. From Boston.com this afternoon:
If Pedro leaves, I will never forgive him. Not because he left, but because he's fcuked us over by taking so GD long to make a decision. Now we're out on Pavano, likely out on Clement, out on Matheny, possibly out on Hudson. Fcuking ass. Sh!t or get off the pot, Pay-dro.