Keith Foulke needs to make a decision today

Keith Foulke needs to make a decision today 11/10/06...
Also: News expected soon on Japan's Matsuzaka and Iwamura

The Red Sox declared on Wednesday that they would not pick up the option on Keith Foulke. The $7.5m is too much considering recent performance (and injuries/availability) after his MVP-caliber performance in the 2004 World Series and season. That was two years and $15m ago.

However, since Foulke's contract also has a player option, he could still chose to play next year in Boston. Though he must decide by today.

The Red Sox made a smart move by declining the option on Foulke earlier than they needed to. Since Foulke must decide within 48 hours of the Sox decision, the option doesn't allow him the ability to test the free agent market before deciding. Since he will likely want to see what kind of money is available, the Sox made a crude move to force a decision before that can happen.

The Sox Foulke $1.5m in the buyout, and another $3.75? if he decides to return. They just saved themselves $2.25m even if he returns. If not, they could use the spare $5m for new talent?

Speaking of new talent: K.D. Drew is apparently available. He himself canceling his remaining 3-year $33 million contract with the LA Dodgers. Now that's confidence! He obviously expects either to make the same or more in a new contract or at least wants to play somewhere else without taking much of a pay cut. The Sox have always had interest in Drew. Trot Nixon's chance of a return just got slimmer... unless, of course, Manny gets "dumped" elsewhere.

Alex Cora was said to have been re-signed to the Sox a few days ago, but there is still no official word from the team. If no news comes today, does Cora test the free agent market?

It's only November, but Sox fans are hungry for news!

PS: The free agent filing deadline is officially today. The Sox can start negotiating with all free agents tomorrow.

Also:
We are also waiting for news on two Japanese players who intend to make the transition to the MLB, assuming the current teams that own their rights accept bids from MLB teams which would relinquish the players from their current contracts. New should come soon regarding Pitching phenom Matsuzaka (bidding already closed) and Iwamura (bidding closes today 11/10). The Red Sox are likely to be interested in both players, but it has not been confirmed whether they actually bid on either (or both).

I definitely expect some news today on at least one of these fronts.