Trade bait and newly-minted Boras client Jacoby Ellsbury checked in with Joe McDonald to talk about all the trade rumors swirling around.

I'm been trying not to pay too much attention to it. But it's hard when all your friends, my parents and brothers are calling me because they want the inside scoop on everything. It's tough just knowing that I have no control over where I play or anything like that. It's something I hope gets done sooner rather than later and I'm sure Johan feels the same. I'm just working out here in Oregon and staying in shape for anything possible. Where ever I go I'll obviously give them my 100 percent.

Sox fans have been reeling from the news he might be traded- but does Jacoby want to stay in Boston?

Definitely. Definitely. Coming through the minor-league system, winning the World Series and with the team we have coming back, I want to be a part of that next year. I would love to come back but unfortunately I don't have any say, whatsoever, where I end up next year. Where ever I do I will definitely give 100 percent, but I would like to stay a Red Sox.

As to be expected, the Twins reportedly had a bit of a freakout on learning Jacoby had been swayed by the dark side-- and signed on with The Man That Killed Baseball, Scott Boras. They, like many front offices, don't necessarily have a good working relationship with Boras- although obviously there is no such animosity with Theo. Jacoby indicated he had spoken with other clients of Boras, including some of his fellow Sox players, before making the decision to switch. Apparently Boras had contacted Jacoby as far back as his college days at Oregon State.

This wasn't a rash decision. A lot of thought has gone into it. Theo (Epstein) and Scott have a very good relationship and I was basically looking for the best representation available to me. Going with Scott allows me to be the best player that I can be. [Now] I can just go out there and play and not worry about too much. We've talked for a while.

Other hot stove happenings:

Julian Tavarez's market demand is under assessment by the Sox. The Phillies and possibly the Rockies, among other clubs, have reportedly expressed interest.

Doesn't look like the Sox will be getting their hands on reliever Brian Fuentes anytime soon. The Sox interest in him goes back to the summer- they were looking to acquire him right before the trading deadline, and then he was injured. Reports about renewed interest again started circulating this week-- but it appears that's not likely to happen, for several reasons: (a) the Rockies would want starting pitching in return, (b) his salary (which could exceed $6 million), and (c) Fuentes, like Eric Gagne, fancies himself a closer... and that ain't happening in Boston.

Jason Varitek could land an extension soon, according to Sean McAdam- who reports the Sox front office would like to get a deal done with him before spring training. Tek is a Boras client, and we all know that Boras never met an advance contract extension that he didn't hate.

John Heyman thinks the Red Sox might have some interest in acquiring top Japanese League outfielder Hiroki Fukudome -- but everyone else thinks the Cubs are the frontrunners on him by far.