Hot Stove Update
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The winter meetings are finished – and, as expected (and explicitly stated by Theo)… nothing big happened for the Red Sox. Per Theo, the Sox made three offers – but declined to specify to whom those offers were made. There’s a great article in the NY Times on Theo’s offseason process. |
The next big deadline comes as the clock strikes 12 midnight tonight – the deadline for teams to tender contracts for 2009 for all unsigned players eligible for arbitration. On that list: Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Javier Lopez and Kevin Cash. Ian Browne expects Kevin Cash to be non-tendered.
The Mark Teixeira sweepstakes continues. Tex wants a deal done before Christmas, and per a Herald source, “a decision would come sooner than later”. Currently, the offer landscape (courtesy of MLBTR) has the Nats, Orioles and Angels all offering seven years, and the Red Sox offering eight years — but none of these numbers have been verified, and are in flux depending on which reporter you talk to. Tex’s wishlist in a ballclub? “The club’s ability to win and win in the long term. Commitment by the owners, long term, to the franchise being successful. Where they play, the city they’re in. And, of course, the economics too.”
Heyman said yesterday the Yanks were back in the mix for Tex, but that “internet rumor” was quickly shot down by Yankees brass. Poor Heyman.
Alex Cora has become the Mets’ #1 target. Tigers and Dbacks are also showing interest.
The Sox were reportedly “surprised” Jason Varitek declined arbitration, “an indication that when they make the two-year offer believed to be in the works, it will have an annual average salary less, perhaps significantly, than the $10 million Varitek made last season. It also will be less than the approximately $11 million he could have made in arbitration.”
In addition to Miguel Gonzalex, selected from the Angels during the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft, the Red Sox also yesterday snagged two more righties: Jason Rice from the Chicago White Sox (AA – Birmingham) and Miguel Marquez from the Seattle Mariners (AA – West Tennessee).
The Sox finally closed out the Wes Littleton trade with Texas by sending righty relief pitcher Beau Vaughan.
Ian Browne expects Kevin Cash to be non-tendered.
Go ahead and do it, universe. It’s the only way left to make this week suck even harder for me.
So to summarize… no more Manny or Coco, maybe Mike Lowell and Tek leaving, Schilling retiring, crazy good pitchers for the Yankess, new logos and jerseys, and now possibly no more Cora?? I can’t take any more.
Theo, my friend, I have a plan for you. Please give away Lugo to ANYONE and keep AC as a back-up shortstop. Get a reliable fourth outfielder (not Rocco Baldelli). And would there be a way to get Teixiera and keep Mikey Lowell?
Yanks got Burnett for 5/82. Just wow.
I’ll miss Beau Vaughan. He always has the best roster pictures.