There’s way too much stuff going on at the winter meetings for me to post any comprehensive article today. It’s about Manny today, as there were a blizzard of news.
First, as we all probably know by now, Sunday at midnight (so technically Monday) the Red Sox and Dodgers met to chat about Manny. Reportedly, the Red Sox and Dodgers left the meetings with the Dodgers believing there was only a 5% chance of a deal getting done, as the Red Sox’s asking price was three of the Dodger’s best prospects.
A deal with the Mariners has surfaced with J.J. Putz heading to Boston and also a three-way with J.J. Putz and Adam Jones to Boston, Richie Sexson to San Francisco, and Manny and Noah Lowry to Seattle.
The Nationals are chatting with the Red Sox too, with Chad Cordero to Boston, Manny to the Giants, and Noah Lowry to the Nationals.
Wednesday, the Red Sox will shift from exploratory talks to listen-only mode on Manny. This means significant progress will have to be made today if there is a chance of a trade happening during this week. The Red Sox are doing the right thing here, as they need to focus on other things during the Winter Meetings, such as signing free agents and discussing other trades. The Manny stretch drive is here, and if the Red Sox don’t deal him by the end of December, I would hope all talks are shut down so we can move on.
The Mariners, Nationals, Giants and Angels have all spoken with the Red Sox about Manny so far. Manny gave the Red Sox a list of 13 teams he would accept a trade to, and all reports are that he has no interest in forcing a contract extension or options being picked up, and the Red Sox have made it clear to him if he holds up any trade, he will not be moved and will not be moved at all in the future years. So for those tired of the Manny rumors, if he’s not dealt this year, he will never be.
J.J. Putz is … amazing. I would love Putz. He tossed 78.1 IP this past year, saving 36 games with a 0.92 WHIP and 2.30 ERA. He had 13 walks and 104 strikeouts.
Let me go over this again.
78.1 IP
13 BB
104 K
.207 BAA
4 HR
59 H
36 SV
I mean … WHAT? WHAT? Is this guy HUMAN? This is Papelbon-esque numbers. He’s 29 years old and has one more year left at minimum salary before hitting arbitration.
Jonathan Broxton and James Loney remain the cream of the crop to me, but J.J. Putz as a Red Sox? Zero complaints.
[Updates] Throughout Tuesday, I will update with news and rumors that occur. The important stuff that happened Monday was that Vincente Padilla returned to the Texas Rangers, Rich Aurilia signed with the Giants, Bengie Molina is on the cusp of doing so, Jose Guillen is a Mariner, Chris Carpenter remains in St. Louis until at least 2012, and Greg Maddux is about to be a Padre.
12:17 AM: The Chicago Tribune says free agent Julio Lugo will sign with Boston.
12:51 AM: The Pirates are chasing Trot Nixon. Interesting. OK, bed time. See you all the next time I update.
11:02 AM: Mark Loretta was offered a contract from the Reds. Word is that Jon Lester’s cancer is in rehab, and the Red Sox have received a “legitimate” offer for Manny Ramirez.
11:14 AM: Jason Jennings is probably headed somewhere soon, as the rumors are flying fast and furious on him.
12:37 PM: Even though Tom Verducci is the only source saying this, Andy Pettite could return to the Bombers by the end of the week. The Phillies could deal Aaron Rowand for a starting pitcher back to the White Sox (Freddy Garcia?) then trade Jon Leiber for bullpen help. The Orioles have the top offer into Luis Gonzalez, and are talking to the Mariners about Ben Broussard. In addition, the Orioles and Braves have discussed a four-player deal sending Brian Roberts and Hayden Penn to Atlanta for Adam LaRoche and Marcus Giles. According to Baseball Prs0pectus the Sox rejected Broxton and LaRoche for Manny.
1:00 PM: Rotoworld: The Mercury News believes the Giants would have to send Noah Lowry, Jonathan Sanchez and Brian Wilson to Washington in order to pull off the rumored three-team Manny Ramirez deal. If the Giants were willing to do that, the Nationals could send both Chad Cordero and Felipe Lopez to Boston.
4:00 PM: The Red Sox are in the talks for Eric Gagne, and also inquired into Mike Gonzalez and Salomon Torres of the Pirates. The Sox will meet with Julio Lugo’s agents Tuesday, and word is Lugo wants to turn down more money from the Mets to be a shortstop in Boston. Francona told XM Radio that he very much doubts Manny will be traded. Truth or spin?
6:25 PM: Steve Phillips reports Julio Lugo is headed to Boston. This may also open up more flexibility on Boston’s end for the Manny talks. Kevin Mench and Jose Capellan are rumored to go to Philly for Jon Lieber. WFAN had earlier said Lugo had a 4-year, $36 million contract on the table from the Mets. The Sox probably gave him four years at $32-$40 million.
7:53 PM: Jon Lester confirmed he is cancer-free. Scott Boras has confirmed J.D. Drew will get five years at $70 million from the Red Sox and the Red Sox said that the Manny talks were all but dead. Count on Manny or Wily Mo Pena moving for bullpen help.
10:09 PM: Julio Lugo will recieve four years, $36 million to become the Sox’s shortstop. Rotoworld also agrees with me that Lugo is an underrated defender. Find a closer now, Theo! I’m content with SS Lugo 1B Youkilis DH Ortiz LF Ramirez RF Drew 3B Lowell C Varitek CF Crisp 2B Pedroia. Instead of keeping Pena on the bench ANOTHER year, get a quality pen arm for him, or deal Manny already!
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//Instead of keeping Pena on the bench ANOTHER year, get a quality pen arm for him, or deal Manny already!//
I opt for “none of the above.” I’d rather keep both Manny and Wily Mo. I like J.D. Drew, but I think with his history, as well as Manny’s, a guy like Pena is all the more valuable. One of our biggest problems in 2006 was a lack of depth when all the injuries cascaded. Let’s not trade away that depth now that we have it back.
Chris-
Your defense is that Theo’s better than the unqualified buffoons that preceded him? That’s not giving him any credit, is it?
The Braves traded Marte because they have a star firmly stuck in that position for the next few years. Who did we have, the Mike Lowell that is 32 and was coming off a completely dead season? How many 3rd base prospects do we have?
Here’s my question Chris: how many past GMs of the Sox were able to outspend every team but one? How often did Red Auerbach just outspend everyone during the dynasty?
Baseball isn’t fun when a clueless GM makes nothing but stupid moves. Not only that, when they bring in wifebeaters and people who are completely unlikable. Hey Beckett, where’s all the swagger you had a year ago this time?
The Marlins have inquired about Sox OF David Murphy and it looks like Boston could be close to a deal with the Fish. The Red Sox apparently asked for lefty starter/reliever Taylor Tankersley, and the Marlins balked at that price.
Murphy for Matt Treanor and ? could be a more realistic trade.
While Coco’s vale is low right now, it could be interesting to move him now and play Drew in Center for a year, maybe two, while Ellsbury continues to develop. You could play Pena in right and have David Murphy in the mix as a left-handed complement and defensive replacement. Murphy, I think is about 25 y/o and they either need to decide this guy is a 4th outfielder (would be very valuable as he is a great defensive player in Center and would certaily be much better in right then Pena) or move him to a team like the Marlins who have an opening. I guess you could also start with Murphy in Pawtucket and Pena/Crisp platoon until a market or need really develops.
With Lugo now on board, I think the Sox will be more open to moving Crisp, since there’s no longer a lack of speed in the lineup. Drew’s ability to play center helps that, but Pena in rightfield doesn’t make me particularly comfortable, especially since Drew is slower than Crisp.
Murphy won’t be good for the Red Sox. He’s a pull-hitter which makes Fenway a less-than-ideal home for him. In Florida however, he could thrive, and he’s more than capable of covering the wide outfield at Dolphins’ Stadium.
A three-team deal is also a possibility with Murphy going to Florida, a prospect going to Anaheim, and Brendan Donnelly going to Boston.
jonny128