Here are some rumors from Tuesday’s winter meetings…
Update #3: ESPNBoston.com, through ESPN Deportes, reports that David Ortiz is likely to accept arbitration, which will give him a raise in salary for 2012, but no commitment beyond that for the Sox.
Update #2: A couple of sources have reported that Andrew Miller’s contract is not guaranteed…Thank God.
Update #1: Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com reports via twitter that the Sox have offered Ortiz two-years and $18M. At $9M annual average value, it would represent a pay-cut for Ortiz, who made $12.5M last season. Ortiz is said to be seeking $25M, but his market may be cold, so there is a chance that he would accept arbitration and make around $14M to come back for one year.
- The Sox are talking with David Ortiz about a two-year deal. I give my analysis of a possible two-year deal here.
- Relief pitching is certainly an area of need and Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports via Twitter that the Sox will meet with the A’s to discuss Andrew Bailey. I could see one of Kalish/Reddick being involved in a possible deal. Maybe even Jed Lowrie.
- MLB Network’s John Heyman tweets that the Sox are in on Darren Oliver, but it is likely that he will return to the Rangers.
- The Sox could still try Daniel Bard as a starter. Bard is confident that he can excel in any role.
- The Sox may not have the cash to go after a big-name free agent starting pitcher, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t looking at potential trades and the possibility of bringing back Erik Bedard.
- One of Fire Brand’s favorite Red Sox writers, Nick Cafardo, tweets that a number of teams have called about Jed Lowrie. I would’t miss Lowrie is the Sox got a decent return for him.