Hot Stove Update

Curt is signed. Mike is signed. That’s two big pieces of the puzzle put away into their proper spot, and thank goodness. But that’s not the end of the offseason action by any means. We don’t have to endlessly hit “refresh” on Nick Cafardo’s blog just waiting to hear if those two have re-signed, but there’s still lots to keep our eyes on over the next few months- the next couple of weeks in particular. As Theo noted in the wake of the Lowell contract:

“It seems like we might have one of our calmer offseasons in recent memory, which is not necessarily a bad thing. . . . At the same time, we want to be aggressive in looking for any opportunity to make our ballclub better because we know our other 29 competitors are doing the same.”

Probably the biggest name still on the market is Johan Santana (after he reportedly turned down a 5 year, $93 million dollar deal from the Twins) – and the Red Sox are reportedly still very much in the mix on him. The stumbling block to bringing Santana to the Fens is the high price tag the Twins have placed on his acquisition. Per Michael Silverman, “Indications are that the Twins have already inquired about center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and right-hander Clay Buchholz, plus other top prospects.” The Sox will most assuredly NOT give up both Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, and will likely look to avoid losing Ellsbury as well.

One major league source familiar with the Sox’ thinking said that a package of both Buchholz and Lester, or one of those pitchers and Ellsbury, would be “way too rich” for the team to part with.

Nick Cafardo believes the Twins likely need one pitcher, and then a CF (to fill the void left by Torii Hunter’s departure) and then 2B and/or 3B. Silverman beliieves a Buchholz OR Leaster plus Crisp and 1-2 minor leaguers might do the trick– because “the Twins are known to be high on Crisp”.

And don’t forget when Curt Schilling hinted in his blog that there were some big, surprising moves in the offseason coming from the Sox? One line of his blog from last week makes me wonder…

Santana, Cabrera, Tejada, all on the market?? Wow. If one of those first two names gets moved I can’t imagine the young talent heading the other way. Only a few teams have the resources to make those happen.

Wonder what “few teams” he’s talking about, hmmm?

Santana may be the biggest name circulating in the rumor mill, but the biggest name to me, for purely sentimental reasons, is Kerry Wood. I posted in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday that the Sox were looking at Wood, and that tidbit has been reported in several places this week. Nick Cafardo says, “He’s one of several arms they’re looking for the bullpen. I think he’d rather stay with the Cubs, but if things don’t work out he’ll get a lot of play including from the Red Sox.”

Mike Timlin still has not inked a deal with the Sox- although Nick Cafardo reported that he has been offered a one-year contract. Bobby Kielty and Doug Mirabelli also remain free agents- but Theo has said that the Sox are still talking to all three about returning:

“We’ve been in touch with the representatives for all those players, and there is some ongoing dialogue,” said Epstein. “As we get closer to the Winter Meetings, there will be more specific talk and the possibility of one or more of those players returning.”

If it’s not Mirabelli, the Sox still need a backup catcher. Nick Cafardo mentioned that there is still some thoughts about bringing Kevin Cash back- which was news to me. As I mentioned before, other possibilities include Rangers’ catchers Jarrod Saltalamacchia (YES, PLEASE) and Gerald Laird. According to Cafardo, “The Sox tried desperately to get Salty before he was dealt to Atlanta. They could try again, but I think Laird would be more available.”

One bargaining chip the Sox have for the Rangers or Twins (or a lot of other teams) is Coco Crisp- although Theo has said he’d be willing to keep Coco around as a fourth OF on the roster. Cafardo figures he’s likely gone- and Eric Hinske, too. Rob Bradford also mentions that Atlanta has interest in Coco Crisp- they’ll have a CF-sized hole when Andruw Jones leaves.

And finally, from last week, the Globe put together an excellent look at the major Japanese free agents in play for not only the Red Sox, but all of major league baseball. The Kobayashi signing in Cleveland likely won’t be the last move from the East this offseason.