Red Sox ink Marco Scutaro

Marco Scutaro has inked a two-year deal to be a Boston Red Sox, reports Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse. The money is unknown, but I would hazard a guess at $15 million -- $7.7 million per year -- with a mutual option for a third year. (And I think I'm trending optimistic.) Given Placido Polanco got three years, I am surprised Scutaro settled for two. It's an especially nice coup on Boston's end. What is not to like about the deal? I was prepared to dislike the trade at three years, but now I'm neutral about it. There are pros and cons to the deal.

[UPDATE: Scutaro Signs?] Scutaro holds private workout for Red Sox

First, we hear that the Red Sox have requested medical records on Marco Scutaro. Now, Jerry Crasnick tells us that Scutaro worked out in Miami with special assistant to the general manager, Allard Baird, in presence. (Baird is one of Epstein's right-hand men, a keen evaluator who failed at being a general manager in Kansas City.) Crasnick notes the workout seems to have alleviated concerns about a heel injury Scutaro suffered late in the '09 season. It seems as if a contract offer is headed Scutaro's way. Boston would have to give up his first round pick, No. 29, to sign Scutaro. The team already has No. 20 thanks to Billy Wagner inking with Atlanta. UPDATE: A Venezuela newspaper reports that Marco Scutaro has signed with the team. They often jump the gun, so tread with caution.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade bOF: Gabe Kapler

We've known that Alex Cora was the All-Aughts Team of the Decade backup infielder for a while now. But how about his counterpart in the outfield? Well, that was a rather easy choice. What is a Red Sox team of the decade without the Hebrew Hammer, Gabe Kapler? Kappy was purchased from the Rockies on June 28, 2003 and immediately made an impact on the club. On that day, Kapler went 4-5 with two doubles and a triple, driving in three. That wasn't all, though. The next day, Kapler found himself in the lineup again and cranked out two home runs en route to three hits, three runs and four RBI. How about that for endearing yourself to fans?

Arbitration and it’s impact on the Red Sox

The arbitration tender deadline has come and gone, and unsurprisingly, many players were not tendered arbitration contracts they had the right to accept or reject. Also unsurprisingly, Boston offered arbitration to its two eligible players: Jason Bay and Billy Wagner. Let's run through the implications for offering arbitration to the two, and then take a look at players who's possible Boston future was impacted by their club's decision.

Assessing Boston’s shortstop options

With the departure of Alex Gonzalez to Toronto, it's time to move on and explore what options are available to Boston to man the shortstop position in 2010 -- and possibly beyond. I've gone through some potential free-agent and trade options and then tied it all in a neat little bow for consideration. Internal options include Jed Lowrie and Jose Iglesias. The free agent market has a bevy of options, but they all have their drawbacks. From Marco Scutaro to Adam Everett to Miguel Tejada to Craig Counsell -- yes, Craig Counsell -- we have you covered here. Want to think trade? Stephen Drew, Cristian Guzman and Hanley Ramirez are considered. Yeah, Hanley Ramirez. The New York Daily News has a note that the Marlins are talking to the Red Sox about a Hanley Ramirez trade.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade SP4: Jon Lester

Jon Lester, entering his age 26 season, is a prime candidate to be named a starting pitcher of the 2010-19 Team of the Decade, which would mean he was named to back-to-back Team of Decades. Drafted in the second round of the 2002 draft, Lester methodically rose up the minor leagues (Fire Brand archive: Not so Minor: Players on the Rise, 10/10/04) and prospect rankings, going so far as to be included in the A-Rod megatrade that never was prior to the 2004 season. I speak, of course, of Manny Ramirez and Lester heading to Texas for Alex Rodriguez. With respect to Lester, I think all of us feel we dodged a bullet there.

Alex Gonzalez a Blue Jay

Alex Gonzalez has reportedly signed a one year contract worth $2.75 million with a $2.5 million club option for 2011. Gonzo came over from the Reds to reprise his role as Boston shortstop late last season and was simply excellent. The Sox declined his $6 million option and took the risk of letting the free agent market play out. Barring a trade, it seems as if this limits Boston to Marco Scutaro, who is the outgoing Blue Jays shortstop. The signing on Toronto's end would be rather smart in this regard as it would force their division rival to give up their first-round pick to the team that signed Gonzalez.

Red Sox acquire Tug Hulett

The Red Sox today acquired Tug Hulett from the Royals for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Hulett, who will enter his age 27 season, has two years' experience in the major leagues. In 67 at-bats, his slash line is .194/.270/.254. He can play second, third and short and has spent most of the last three seasons in Triple-A. His career minor league line is .284/.394/.418. The left-hander is considered a possible Rule 5 draft pick, but Boston will likely stash him on their 40-man roster instead. While he won't be handed the backup infield job, he will absolutely compete for it. I'm not entirely positive, but I believe he will have to clear waivers if the club intends to have him open the season at Triple-A. I fully expect him to start the season as Pawtucket's second baseman.

Interviewing Alex Wilson: 2009 draft pick closest to the bigs

Alex Wilson was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Boston Red Sox out of Texas A&M. Wilson pitched in Low-A Lowell after signing, a rather low level given being 22. He dominated the competition, posting a 0.50 ERA in 13 starts encompassing 36 innings and whiffing 33 while walking seven. It's felt that if Wilson can develop his changeup, he will start. Otherwise, he will relieve. Baseball America says he is closest to the majors, and is expected to open the season at High-A Salem. Don't rule out closing the season out in Double-A Portland. Read on to read an interview conducted with Alex Wilson.

Red Sox interested in Kelvim Escobar among others

The Boston Herald's Michael Silverman is reporting that Boston has requested medical records on free agent Kelvim Escobar, along with reliever Rafael Soriano. They've also inquired into Marcos Scutaro. While Soriano and Scutaro represent higher upside, let's talk Escobar for a second. Other than one June start, he hasn't seen the bigs since 2007 thanks to massive shoulder injuries. If it's a minor league deal, I would be okay with the signing. Not particularly thrilled, though. While all these low-risk, high-upside signings have inherent value, the Brad Penny/John Smoltz signings proved not to work at all. Should that prevent Boston from continuing to seek low-risk, high-upside starters? No, not at all. But I feel that the team waited way, way too long on Penny as well as Smoltz, before finally pulling the plug. I don't want that same mistake made again. In Escobar's case, two years of injuries and rehabilitation really make me question if the stuff is still there to even be a difference.