You couldn't possibly think that the Red Sox could resign Kason Gabbard without us weighing in on all things "Day One of the Winter Meetings" could you? Gabbard, Atchison, the other guy and more...the news out of Indy is flying! All that and more on this episode of Fireside Chats after the jump.
The Sox signed Scott Atchison from Japan this morning, returning the former major leaguer to North America. Atchison received a one-year contract, with two club options. Atchison last pitched in the MLB in 2007 for the Giants, posting a 4.11 ERA and 4.80 FIP in 30.2 innings. Now 33, Atchison doesn't seem to provide more than middle relief depth for the Sox, though he has had his moments as a major leaguer, including a career 4.13 FIP ERA in 68.0 innings, including 70 strikeouts and 25 walks. In his last foray into the MLB, Atchison featured a 90-91 mph fastball, while mixing in a slider, curve, and occasional change up.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, a Sox acquisition of Adrian Beltre is becoming a real possibility. As per Nightengale's Twitter account,
"It wouldn't be surprising if Beltre falls into the Red Sox lap if he doesn't accept arbitration from the Mariners."The move would be predicated by Beltre declining arbitration, which SI's Jon Heyman reports as a growing likelihood. Beltre, 30, qualified as a Type B free agent this offseason, so he would not cost the Sox a draft pick. Beltre battled injuries this past season, batting .265/.304/.379 with only 8 home runs in 449 at-bats. Beltre remains an elite fielding third baseman, however, as he posted a 14.3 UZR at the hot corner in 2009. Should Beltre regain his hitting prowess from previous seasons, he could present a nice upgrade over a declining Mike Lowell...
In Sunday's newspaper, the biggest caution flag on the 2010 season yet was tossed.
This offseason, one of the hottest debates surrounding the Red Sox is if the team should "go for it" this year -- ala sign Matt Holliday/Jason Bay, pull off a blockbuster trade, so on and so forth. The flip side of the argument was waiting until 2011 where there's a more competitive free agent class, an increased likelihood of a blockbuster trade and a farm system whose window is 2011-2013.
My opinion has been that the Red Sox are going to stand pat and play out 2010 with their club largely intact along with no major changes.
Whether you agree with it or not, it seems as if this is exactly what Boston is going to do.