offseason moves

[26 to 6]

Who would catch Wakefield? As I recall, Tek isnt the man for that job.

[Soxfan1]

I wouldn't want to trade Mirabelli. I think shoppach should go instead and just have them throw in a player to be named later.

[Beckett95]

Boston Herald

 

First, second options

 

Hoyer said the Sox are still interested in re-signing free agent second baseman Tony Graffanino and first baseman John Olerud, but there is a realistic chance that neither will be back in 2006.

 

There is support within the organization to deploy the combo of Alex Cora and rookie Dustin Pedroia at second base, while the Sox have explored trade talks for a few veteran first basemen, including Milwaukee’s Lyle Overbay and Cincinnati’s Sean Casey. Sources indicated that talks are ongoing with the Reds regarding 31-year-old Casey, who is owed $8.5 million next season after batting .312 with nine home runs, 58 RBI and a .371 on-base percentage in 2005. The affable, left-handed hitter owns a lifetime batting average of .305, and has struck out only 467 times in 4,017 at-bats.

 

Cincinnati is looking for players who could play right away and is believed to have interest in Bronson Arroyo and Queen City native Kevin Youkilis, among others.

 

Lajoie said the Sox will also be looking for a right-handed outfielder in Dallas, as well as bullpen help.

[example1]

Send Cinci Arroyo and Abe Alvarez plus some cash for Casey. We should lock Casey up for a few years and keep him at first. We would have a mature solid infield that way.

[riverside sluggers]

Im starting to like the proposed trade of Boston receiving Mark Loretta and possibly Otsuka.

 

Loretta is just signed through next season, which he would give what the Sox need until Pedroia is fully ready for the bigs. He can play some solid D and can get on base with the career .301 batting avg he holds.

 

Mirabelli is valuable mainly as a fan favorite and the fact he catches Wakefield so well. If done, this could spark Kelly Shoppach being placed as the backup catcher and groomed to take over full time catching from Varitek whose contract ends in 2008.

 

And Otsuka, well cmon this guy would surely strengthen the bullpen by coming aboard. He is a pure strikeout relief pitcher as they come and would be fall back plan on closing duties from foulke.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Since the Red Sox are talking about Sean Casey and Mark Loretta (both fantastic OBP) I just had to visualize....and go on an assumption we sign Damon and don't trade Manny

 

1. Johnny Damon L

2. Edgar Renteria R

3. David Ortiz L

4. Manny Ramirez R

5. Trot Nixon L

6. Mike Lowell R

7. Sean Casey L

8. Mark Loretta R

9. Jason Varitek S

 

....not necassarily the batting order but that is a great batting lineup that looks to get on base a LOT

[youkilis rules]

sorry if this has already been posted...

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/12/03/ramirez_wells_bring_interest/

 

i strongly recommend everyone reads it!

 

padres apparently have offered mark loretta for david wells, sooo sweet! that's filling a position we need with great quality in exchange for something i already consider gone.

[26 to 6]

Since the Red Sox are talking about Sean Casey and Mark Loretta (both fantastic OBP) I just had to visualize....and go on an assumption we sign Damon and don't trade Manny

 

1. Johnny Damon L

2. Edgar Renteria R

3. David Ortiz L

4. Manny Ramirez R

5. Trot Nixon L

6. Mike Lowell R

7. Sean Casey L

8. Mark Loretta R

9. Jason Varitek S

 

....not necassarily the batting order but that is a great batting lineup that looks to get on base a LOT

That is a pretty scary lineup.

[Cityofchampions33]

Anything is scary when you got Jason varitek batting 9th, jesus that is one stacked lineup, with absolutely no holes what so ever

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

A huge improvement is the defense. Mark Loretta, Renteria, Lowell, and Casey are all good defensively. Very solid up and down and all of them get on base consistantly. I don't see a ton of power since Casey and Loretta don't necessarily hammer the ball but they could post 20 HRs. Especially in Loretta's case leaving San Diego and hitting in Boston.

[Beckett95]

id also like the sox to look at abreu. if you could make nixon, clement and brandon moss for abreu they should do it. I dont think nixon is a consistent 6 or 7 hitter, not 5. maybe casey could but id like to see abreu there.

[Beckett95]

also on mlbtraderumors

A source in the Red Sox organization mentions that the Cubs have interest in 31 year-old right fielder Trot Nixon. Nixon hasn't had 500 at-bats since 2002, but he's hit well when healthy. Nixon mashes right-handers but struggles mightily with southpaws. The Red Sox are rumored to have interest in Corey Patterson.

[Beckett95]

i dont really like the idea for patterson. he strikes out 150 times a year and hits around .240. upside is that hes young, might hit 20 hrs and steal 30 bases. He is also a solid defense of player. His lifetime OBP is .293!!

 

he has a lot of talent, but hasnt produced yet

Hitting

There's nothing Patterson can't do as a hitter. He can hit line drives, bunt for base hits and hit for power. He just needs to do it all more consistently. His main problems are a lack of patience, poor command of the strike zone and a stubborn streak that can serve him well or hold him back. Patterson is a free swinger who will jump on anything that looks good to him early in the count. He's susceptible to high fastballs out of the zone, especially with two strikes. He has improved markedly against lefthanded pitchers, hitting 31 points higher vs. southpaws last season than he did against righties.

 

Baserunning & Defense

Though not yet in the category of Andruw Jones or Jim Edmonds as a defensive center fielder, Patterson isn't far behind. He has great speed, something he has needed with Moises Alou and Sammy Sosa flanking him. Patterson's throwing arm is a good one. He led the Cubs with a career-best 32 stolen bases, and he's getting better every day at reading pitchers' moves.

scouting report from ESPN

[schillingouttheks]

Corey Patterson for our CF solution? Not a bad replacement! Although Trot's value here is pretty high...Tough decision, because I'd much rather have Johnny in CF and Trot in RF, but with Johnny's salary requests it doesn't look like that's gunna happen. Although the Sox' GM by committee has clearly disclosed that one of its top priorities was to re-sign Johnny. The good thing I'm liking though, is that there are a lot of different roads we could take in terms of trades. Lots of teams are interested in lots of our players, and I like it like that.

 

EDIT: Patterson is still young, and has lots of room for improvement. I see a tremendous upside for him and I wouldn't mind giving him a shot if we don't re-sign Damon. That's what I mean when I say "Not a bad replacement."

[yankeessuck013]

I heard that the Tribe are probably going to sign Trevor Hoffman, and even if they don't, they won't go back to Wickman. Wickman could close for two years until Craig Hansen is ready. If Hansen's progress speeds up, Wickman could set up for a very strong bullpen.

[riverside sluggers]

A huge improvement is the defense. Mark Loretta, Renteria, Lowell, and Casey are all good defensively. Very solid up and down and all of them get on base consistantly. I don't see a ton of power since Casey and Loretta don't necessarily hammer the ball but they could post 20 HRs. Especially in Loretta's case leaving San Diego and hitting in Boston.

 

With that infield, the errors should go down from what they were this past season including if Rent can bounce back. Also Casey and Loretta might not hit for much power but like the defense.. the offense from the infielders would be an upgrade from what it was this past season.

 

Bill Mueller- .295 avg, 10 HRs, 62 RBIs

Kevin Millar- .272 avg, 9 HRs, 50 RBIs

Edgar Renterria- .276 avg, 8 HRs, 70 RBIs

John Olerud- .289 avg, 7 HRs, 37 RBIs

Mark Bellhorn- .216 avg, 7 HRs, 28 RBIs

Tony Graffanino- .319 avg, 4 HRs, 20 RBIs

Alex Cora- .269 avg, 2 HRs, 16 RBIs

Roberto Petagine- .281 avg, 1 HR, 9 RBIs

Kevin Youkilis- .278 avg, 1 HR, 9 RBIs

[Beckett95]

rick white veteran reiliver from the pirates says he will sign with the yankees or redsox in the next couple of days.

 

Reliever Rick White, the lone surprise of the four veterans the Pirates cut loose last month, said he believes he is a few days away from signing with the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. White said Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield's lone offer to return was for the same terms as last year, a minor-league invitation and a $475,000 salary if he makes the 25-man roster. "They basically blew me off," White said.

from pittsburgh post-gazette

[Beckett95]

from MLB.COM

 

BOSTON -- They have one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time. His name is Manny Ramirez, and he no longer wants to play for the Red Sox. There is also a left-hander named David Wells with 227 career wins, not to mention a glittering postseason resume, who wants out of Boston.

Those are just a couple of the carrots the Red Sox can dangle in hotel lobbies and suites in Dallas at baseball's annual Winter Meetings, which take place Dec. 5-8.

 

Barring a last-minute change, the Red Sox will be the only of Major League Baseball's 30 teams that arrives without a general manager. To this point, Theo Epstein's position, which was vacated on Oct. 31, has yet to be filled.

 

However, the Red Sox have a committee of talented and hard-working executives that have been working around the clock.

 

Expect the Red Sox to be among the most active teams in Dallas.

 

The hot-button topic, of course, is Ramirez. The Red Sox are confident there is a market for their elite slugger. Now, they just wonder if they will get the offer they need to make such a blockbuster trade.

 

How many teams are in the sweepstakes?

 

"Strong interest, probably five teams," said Jed Hoyer, assistant to the general manager for the Red Sox. "And more than that have called to inquire."

 

It should be noted that the Red Sox aren't going to Dallas looking to unload Ramirez. If they should find an offer that will make them a better team, they will strike. If not, Ramirez could be right back hitting behind fellow superstar David Ortiz in 2006.

 

"Teams have expressed a lot of interest in Manny, but he's still one of the top three or four hitters in baseball," Hoyer said. "We're going to keep on listening. But as evidenced by the fact that we haven't made a deal yet, nobody has sort of stepped up to meet the deal that we want for him. We're going to keep listening. If something worked out, and it benefited the club short term and long term, I think that we might act. But we're certainly not going in with the expectation that we're going to make a trade. Somebody would have to step up and meet our expectations."

 

Because Ramirez is owed $57 million over the next three years, it's likely that only large-market teams will be in the mix. There is also the matter of Ramirez being a 10-5 man (10 years of Major League service, five with the same team), which means he must approve any trade.

 

All of this means that the Sox might need the entire four days of the meetings to come to a resolution on whether they can make a move involving their heavy-hitting left fielder.

 

The Angels, said to be one of Ramirez's top choices, could be a potential landing spot after their unsuccessful attempt to land Paul Konerko.

 

Wells, like Ramirez, wants to go West, with the Padres being mentioned frequently.

 

"These are two very fine players," said senior advisor Bill Lajoie, who is expected to serve as Boston's point person during the meetings. "A 15-game left-handed pitcher, he knows that he has value, and Manny, one of the top one or two right-handed hitters in baseball. If we make an honest offer ... they will know if we make the proper efforts to move them. I just have the feeling that as long as we do make that effort, that if it can not be done, that they will understand and return. I don't believe it will be a distraction."

 

Among the other things the Red Sox will consider at the Winter Meetings: Can they find common ground with agent Scott Boras in regard to free agent center fielder Johnny Damon? The leadoff man has been an invaluable spark for the Red Sox the past four years, and it would be hard for teammates and fans to see him go.

 

Thus far, Damon has been looking for a seven-year deal, but it's highly unlikely the Red Sox would consider such a lengthy pact. However, Damon remains their top priority, and they won't thoroughly explore the market for a replacement until they become convinced the dynamic center fielder can't be retained.

 

"Our priority really is to bring Johnny back; we do want to keep him in a Red Sox uniform," said Hoyer. "Of course, we're always looking at alternatives, but our priority is to make sure Johnny is in center field next year for us."

 

 

 

Other areas of uncertainty are first base and second base.

 

At first base, expect the Red Sox to look for a left-handed bat to complement Kevin Youkilis. Second base is more uncertain. While Alex Cora is returning, he is probably best suited to be a utility player, and youngster Dustin Pedroia (drafted in 2004) still might be a year away.

 

It is possible the Red Sox could retain one or both of the players who helped occupy the right side of the infield down the stretch in 2005. The Red Sox have maintained communication with first baseman John Olerud and second baseman Tony Graffanino. Olerud would be a perfect fit to platoon with Youkilis, and the Graffanino-Cora combo was an effective one last year.

 

The area that hurt the 2005 Red Sox the most was the bullpen. While Boston has re-signed Mike Timlin and added Guillermo Mota in a trade, they will be on the prowl for more late-inning arms, especially because nobody truly knows how well Keith Foulke will respond after an '05 season filled with health woes and confidence issues.

 

The top two closers on the market -- Billy Wagner and B.J. Ryan -- both found new homes recently. However, the Red Sox have plenty of contingency plans in place and will try to bring in someone with closing experience in the event Foulke does not make a successful comeback.

 

"Yes, we are looking for that," said Lajoie. "At this point, we have our ducks in a row as far as a preferential list of the players that are left as relief pitchers."

 

Lajoie confirmed that the team has identified relief options in both free agency and trades.

 

With so many burning issues, the Winter Meetings figure to be a frenzied and critical time for the Red Sox.

 

Whether the Red Sox have a general manager in place or not, they have a baseball operations staff determined to build a winner in 2006. Look no further than the recent trade that brought Josh Beckett to Boston.

 

As these meetings near, it appears the Sox could not be any more organized even if Epstein were still in office.

 

"We have been close with some things, but as you know, we do not discuss any trades or negotiations with players," said Lajoie. "So all I can tell you is we have meetings with 13 teams scheduled because we have matches with those clubs."

[Beckett95]

Providence Journal

 

DALLAS -- Five years ago, when baseball's winter meetings were last held here, the Red Sox returned home with free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez, upon whom they bestowed a stunning $160 million over eight seasons.

 

This week, when the Red Sox return to Boston, it's quite likely that they will have divested themsleves of Ramirez and his contract, which still has three guaranteed years remaining.

 

Ramirez has asked the Red Sox to deal him elsewhere, and while that request has been made numerous times before, this time, it comes with a good deal more urgency. According to sources close to the player, Ramirez and his wife have determined it would be best for them both to head elsewhere.

 

As such, the Red Sox have been arranging meetings with a handful of teams to discuss Ramirez. The New York Mets, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Texas Rangers are known to have great interest and there are at least two other organizations that the Sox believe to be serious bidders.

 

The Mets, who are introducing their own TV network in New York next spring, may be the most intent on landing Ramirez. General manager Oman Minaya has spoken publicly about his desire to land Ramirez and add him to the quartet of big-name players he's landed since the end of the 2004 season: Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Billy Wagner and Carlos Delgado.

 

The Mets' offer, however, may not match their desire. They've already parted with two prospects -- Yusmiero Petit and Mike Jacobs -- who would have been coveted by the Red Sox. Any deal for Ramirez would have

 

to include outfield prospect Lastings Milledge, pitcher Aaron Heilman and others. It may take the Mets to involve a third team to put together a package to satisfy the Sox.

 

Texas would be willing to move second baseman Alfonso Soriano for Ramirez, which is ironic, given that Soriano was obtained for Alex Rodriguez two years ago after the Sox' talks to send Ramirez to Texas for Rodriguez fell through. It's known that the Sox also like first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who could be included in the deal.

 

What's not known is whether owner Tom Hicks would take all of Ramirez' $57 million in the deal. To date, the Sox have told interested teams that they will not subsidize Ramirez's remaining salary, but that could be a negotiating stategy that could shift throughout the week.

 

The Angels have told the Sox that they won't move promising pitcher Ervin Santana for Ramirez, but there are other bargaining chips that could be included, including first baseman Casey Kotchman and infielder Kendry Morales.

 

If the Angels and Red Sox can't work out a deal directly, they could turn to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who could move third baseman Troy Glaus to Boston -- where he could be shifted to first -- and move Ramirez on to the Angels.

 

Ramirez isn't the only Red Sox veteran who could be dealt. Pitcher David Wells, like Ramirez unhappy in Boston, has requested a deal. Wells would prefer to return to his hometown of San Diego, from whence he came last winter.

 

The Padres' initial offer of Sean Burroughs and former Boston outfielder Dave Roberts didn't do much for the Sox, but the teams have recently talked about an expanded deal that includes Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli. The Padres are about to lose catcher Ramon Hernandez to free agency.

 

In return, the Red Sox are seeking one of two relievers -- Scott Linebrink or Akinori Otsuka -- and second baseman Mark Loretta.

 

As one of the few teams with an excess of starting pitching, the Sox might also move Matt Clement, who had a disappointing second half.

 

Among the teams known to be talking to the Sox about Clement are the Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers. Bronson Arroyo, too, has value, especially since he's relatively affordable in a pitching-thin market.

 

If the Sox could land another first baseman in return for Ramirez or Clement, they could then swap Kevin Youkilis. He has already been displaced at third by newcomer Mike Lowell and has drawn heavy interest from the Minnesota Twins, who attempted to deal for him at the trading deadline last Thursday.

 

On the free-agent side, the Sox are focusing on retaining Johnny Damon, who, with agent Scott Boras, met with Red Sox officials over the weekend in Boston.

 

Damon said last night that he expected his situation to be resolved in the next 10 days. There were unconfirmed reports last night that the Yankees had made Damon a three-year, $39-million offer.

 

Veteran second basemen Mark Grudzielanek and Tony Graffanino may also be targets as the Sox are apparently not convinced that Dustin Pedroia is ready to assume the position on an everyday basis.

[riverside sluggers]

Rotoworld: ESPN's Peter Gammons thinks the A's are in the lead for David Wells, with Justin Duchscherer possibly going back to the Red Sox. That'd be a pretty good deal for Boston. Gammons also said he thinks Frank Thomas to Oakland could get done quickly. Dec. 6 - 3:04 pm et

 

A big yes to Duchscherer if Sox are able to get him.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6767/career

[Beckett95]

id love Duchscherer for wells. I think hes only 27 and went to the allstar game last year as a middle reliever. had 85 ip with 85 k's also. era was 2.21 and had only 19 walks. absolutly would make this deal.

[ksushi]

I LOVE DUCHSHCERER. That is all. More later.

[Beckett95]

http://fantasybaseball.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.asp?sport=MLB

 

it looks like mirrabelli for loretta will be a separate deal

 

the redsox give up wells and mirrabelli and get DUCHSHCERER and loretta.

 

the dodgers might also give up hee sop choi for wells

[MC Hammer]

it looks like mirrabelli for loretta will be a separate deal

 

the redsox give up wells and mirrabelli and get DUCHSHCERER and loretta.

I really hope the Loretta deal falls apart.

[Beckett95]

id probaly rather have loretta than tony g. Loretta is better offensively and he and grafanino both had a .987 fielding % last year. loretta is a life time .300 hitter and has a lifetime obp of .365 compared to grafininos .268 avg and .335 obp. Age isnt a problem since loretta is only 1 year older. lorettas contract will be around what tony g gets. the only negative is he is more injury prone, but we have pedroia and cora as solid backups. im sure Varitek could learn to catch wakefield (if not shoppach). Id like to see shoppach in the majors for more than just a couple of weeks. he should be a better catcher than mirabelli in the future.

[riverside sluggers]

lorettas contract will be around what tony g gets.

 

actually Loretta's contract is just through next season. According to Gordon Edes, Tony G is asking for a contract of 2 or 3 years.

[Beckett95]

actually Loretta's contract is just through next season. According to Gordon Edes, Tony G is asking for a contract of 2 or 3 years.

 

even better. it gives pedroia 1 more year at AAA and it gives us a proven all-star 2B for this year. lorettas contract is $2,750,000

[Beckett95]

gammons is saying david wells will be traded to the Padres, A's or Giants within the next 24-48 hours

[youkilis rules]

i could be wrong, but wasn't Duchscherer traded to the Texas Rangers FOR Doug Mirabelli? For some reason that sticks with me and it would really be full circle to be getting him back and dumping mirabelli..

[Beckett95]

i could be wrong, but wasn't Duchscherer traded to the Texas Rangers FOR Doug Mirabelli? For some reason that sticks with me and it would really be full circle to be getting him back and dumping mirabelli..

 

ya he was in 2001. pretty ironic