Author: josh lacey

 Brian Schneider

All’s quiet on the Western front

For all the build up heading into Las Vegas, the 2008 Winter Meetings has started off with more of a whimper than a bang.

There seems to be more posturing than action at every turn, and maybe that's to be expected in a market that shows more signs of mirroring the overall economic climate than the continued bonanza that free agents were hoping for.

Take for example Rafael Furcal and Francisco Rodriguez, who both turned their backs on lucrative contract offers because they expected more to be out there this winter.

December 9, 2008 josh lacey
Quick Post

Bugs & Cranks = Pure Brilliance

I came across this post today by Dan Tobin at Bugs & Cranks and had to share. It's just that good.


While reading one of my half a dozen favorite rumor blogs, I realized two of the top free agent prizes this year are 2004 Boston postseason heroes Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe. Then I realized Pedro and Schilling are out there, too. It made me wonder, What's the best team you could assemble out of free agents who've played for the Sox? Here's what that team would look like, along with their crowning Red Sox achievement. Players with an asterisk were 2004 world champions. Can you believe an enterprising GM could sign 13 of 'em? (14 if you include Nomar, who got a ring.)

I encourage you to head over to Bugs & Cranks for the list. I won't steal their thunder. Great Post!

December 5, 2008 josh lacey
C.C. Sabathia

The Truth is Out There

While the truth may be out there, it's awash with a sea of misinformation deeper than any Mulder and Scully had to wade through.

Buster Olney provides the latest fodder for the Red Sox rumor mill in his links column on ESPN Insider.

December 5, 2008 josh lacey
Mark Teixeira

Red Sox have both needs and options heading into the Winter Meetings

After weeks of our baseball lives sustaining on rumor, innuendo, and the occasional piece of real news (the Coco Crisp trade, additions to the bullpen, Junichi Tawaza signing, arbitration), the signing of Dustin Pedroia this week marks a decided turn in the pace of news that will give color to the twenty five men who will don the Red Sox uniform on Opening Day 2009.

Enjoy the last few days of dreaming about what "might" transpire this off-season, the Winter Meetings will force teams to go "all in" with their hands in Las Vegas next week.

December 5, 2008 josh lacey
Dustin Pedroia

Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox agree to extension

There's been a common trend throughout Major League Baseball for teams to lock up their young talent early giving them more front loaded money in longer term deals, while effectively buying potential free agent years at a discount. This strategy allows a team to lock in young talent at reasonable annual dollar amounts over the long term. In Boston, you might say "they just "Nomar-ed" him into a long term deal".

While most teams have taken this strategy against players they have a "high degree of confidence" will be above average players over the life of the deal (i.e. Evan Longoria or Troy Tulowitzki), the Red Sox have the luxury of extending such an offer to the reigning American League MVP, Dustin Pedroia.

Thanks to a six year, $40.5 million dollar contract extension that will be formally announced at a 3 pm press conference today, Dustin Pedroia will be manning second base at Fenway Park for the foreseeable future. The contract, which has been in negotiation since mid-August, includes both a $1.5 million dollar signing bonus and a club option for the seventh year at $11 million dollars ($500,000 team buyout).

December 3, 2008 josh lacey
Alex Cora

Lugo to the Tigers talks stalled, interest in Cora

Julio Lugo's fate next season has seemingly rested as much in the arms of the Detroit Tigers as the Boston Red Sox.

With talks between the Tigers and Red Sox regarding any potential swap of overpriced pitchers looking to rebound (Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis) and overpriced shortstops looking for redemption (Julio Lugo) seemingly dead in the water, the Detroit Tigers may make a move that makes it even more likely that Julio Lugo remains a Red Sox in 2009.

November 28, 2008 josh lacey
Coco Crisp

Could Julio Lugo be 2009’s Coco Crisp?

While most people are dreaming of an off chance that Dontrelle Willis could recreate himself in a Boston Red Sox uniform, there is recent precedent that might point towards not rushing Julio Lugo out of town quite so quickly.

Tell me if this story sounds even remotely familiar?

An under-performing veteran coming off an injury plagued season, having never fulfilled his promise present at his debut as a member of the Boston Red Sox, has found his position usurped by a rookie down the stretch before entering Spring Training in the unfamiliar position of a high priced back up. Common logic from fans and the greater baseball community already has that player traded to fill other holes and to allow the rookie to take the mantle of their position without impediment.

November 25, 2008 josh lacey
Jason Varitek

WEEI.com Source: Initial offer to Varitek for one year

According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, sources close to the negotiations between the Red Sox and their captain Jason Varitek indicate that the Red Sox first offer was for only one year. The dollar amount was not disclosed by Bradford's source.

If this is true, I think it speaks volumes of (a) the ongoing tenor of the negotiations and (b) the Red Sox willingness to not go longer years than two on any contract with Varitek.

I did think the Red Sox would likely try and overpay in annual dollars by a small factor to keep the deal at two years. Don't be surprised if the Red Sox final offer is in the 2 year, $22 million dollar range.

November 24, 2008 josh lacey