Red Sox Rumors via SoxSpot

Who's your daddy?

2008-12-31T20:49:00.000-08:00

Now that we know Teixeira's dad was a Yankees fan...

From now on, please, can we ask this of all future Red Sox free-agent potentials?

It seems to me, that we've lost more than a couple of free agents to the Yankees due to which team they were fans of when they were kids. Now it comes out that Teixeira too grew up in a Yankee household.

Read More - Who's Your Daddy? (Red Sox Commentary)

New Sources added to Red Sox Rumors website

2008-12-27T16:43:00.001-08:00

New Sources added to Red Sox Rumors website:

Fenway West

Wicked Clevah

Papelbon and Youkilis dancing a jig!

2007-10-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

Youk (Kevin Youkilis) and (Jonathon) Papelbon Dance-off

(Jonathon) Papelbon Riverdances

both posted by: stu960193

Spring Training starts in Fort Myers this week

2007-02-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

This is a sample post - resuming blogging this week with the start of the season!!

Gammons adds sources to ESPN report on Matsuzaka to the Red Sox

2006-11-13T12:41:00.000-08:00

While waiting for official word, still, which may not come until tomorrow... ESPN TV and ESPN.com are adding to Buster Olney's original report that the Red Sox are the high bidders.

And now Peter Gammons is stating information from his sources that the Red Sox were the highest bidder, by far, and the bid was $42 million.

Off-season baseball schedule: free agency filing complete

2006-11-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

In an article about the Yankees likely trading Jared Wright, ESPN confirms that essentially all players eligible for free agency have completed their filing as of Saturday's deadline on 11/11/06.

Colorado third baseman Vinny Castilla also filed for free agency Saturday, the last possible day, raising the total to 178. Free agents could start negotiating money with all teams starting Sunday.
The Los Angeles Angels' Tim Salmon was the only player eligible for free agency who didn't file.

But, since we know that Tim Salmon has retired from baseball, the mention of Salmon not filing is a non-issue.

Keith Foulke decides... he's out

2006-11-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

Keith Foulke has decided not to return to Boston... he's not coming back to the land of Johnny from Burger King because he wants to be closer to his family.

I find this decision rather surprising, from a monetary standpoint at least. Foulke always said that if he left baseball "today" that he wouldn't miss it and would move on with his life. He's a hockey fan and baseball to him is not a passion - it's a job.

The money is/was nice, but there are more important things in life to him. Cheers, Keith, on that one.

Now, he's not retiring, we assume, but he definitely is taking a pay cut this year. He just left a guaranteed $3.75 million on the table. Maybe the money isn't that important.

We can also assume that emotions (besides those re: family) played into this a bit too, like pride. Foulke was relegated to setup roles and has been the subject of many rants from the Boston media and citizenry over the past two years whilst dealing with injuries and an overall loss of ability and/or under-performance issues.

After performing superb his 1st year on the team and like an MVP in the World Series, he clearly had issues upon following the short off-season into 2005. In 2006, he lost his closer role just days in to the season only to continue to struggle and eventually leave for more surgeries.

Foulke was never going to be comfortable again here. While the team was probably willing to give him yet another chance to redeem himself, and would have been contractually obligated to let him try, he knew that many team officials wanted to move in different directions and certainly the media and fans would so far gone that it'd be near impossible to regain their respect. (Ed note: Is that ever possible in a market such as Boston? And Foulke isn't the kind of guy to try, at least off the field PR-wise.)

Put that all aside: Let's ignore his poor choice of words, bad quotes, lack of honesty or lack of being forthcoming to the media, and we'll definitly skip the topic of who should "own" the famous World Series last out ball, for now - Let's give credit to Keith for putting his money, and in fact himself, where his mouth was and taking his game out of town - And thank him for his service.

Keith: we thank you and wish you well!

Keith Foulke needs to make a decision today

2006-11-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

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.

Torre back with Yankees, again, Pinello headed to the Cubs

2006-10-16T21:14:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO (AP) -- Lou Piniella is coming to Wrigley Field, agreeing Monday to a three-year contract to manage the Chicago Cubs and accepting a job that has long been one of the most challenging in baseball.

His assignment: Get to the playoffs and win a championship with a franchise that hasn't been to a World Series since 1945 and hasn't won one since 1908.

According to: By Rick Gano, AP Sports Writer | October 16, 2006

--
Opinion by SoxSpot:

Too bad he's not going to the Yankees this next year. He'd be a wake-up call for the over-paid there as well as he'd create some life again in Red Sox vs. Yankees games. He's a fighter and the Yankees could use someone like him. I've said before that I don't think he'd work out well in NY, and I still believe that he wouldn't fit in with the over-paid players they have, but I do believe that Pinella would get the team in gear and create some life where it is currently lacking...

At the same time, he could do all of the above for the Chicago Cubs, and I'd look forward to seeing them become a threat in the years to come. In fact, I'd love to see the Cubs break their own curse - the "Curse of the Goat" they call it.

Cubs fans deserve a WS victory, or at least a chance or a good run at it.

Joe Torre fired?

2006-10-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

I bet Joe Torre is finally gone whether its Steinb's choice or not. Torre himself could just throw in the towel. He just looks so tired lately, and he especially seemed to have had enough during/after last year (though he couldn't turn down the money at the time).

I can't say that I'd be disappointed if he doesn't return. I respected him, and thus I prefer the Red Sox to compete against a lesser foe... especially considering the competition ON the field being strong enough without having to worry about the brain/brawn in the clubhouse outmatching us too. (I'm not saying Torre/Cashman outmatch Tito/Theo - just saying its stiff competition there combined with the uniform-wearing $$$ players.)

But I agree with whichever NY paper said it first... Pinella will get the chance he's been waiting for and, unfortunately, it'll probably end up being good for all those spoiled, rich, white-glove wearing, shaved-faced millionaires on the team to have a manager that'll kick their asses if they slouch or pout. (Yes, Lou too impresses me in that manner.) I'm not sure it'll work, it could backfire horribly, they could all hate the guy like though young Devil Rays did, but I can sure see The Bossy One wanting to give that a try.)

I have to admit, despite their own injury issues, I am surprised that the Ys couldn't get to the World Series this year. Second to the Sox (using July as the high-water mark) I wouldn't have bet that the All-Star cash-laden Yanks wouldn't get past the Tigers or the A's - assuming the Sox weren't in the way.

Four games against the Yankees, One MLB pitcher

2006-09-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

My goodness, just barely one month out of 1st place and the NOT playoff-bound Red Sox are about to go into a 4-game weekend series with the Yankees without hardly any major league capable/quality pitchers!

Josh Beckett is up first.

Julian Tavarez (a relief pitcher) will start the 1st game of Saturday's double-header
- my, my won't that bode well for our bullpen? Tavarez has pitched well in the spot-starter role recently, but can we continue to expect so much from him now going into Yankees stadium?

Then the Sox will have Royals' cast-off Kyle Snyder going in the 2nd game Saturday. I like Snyder, but he's more suited for long-relief (4 innings max) than being a starter for the Sox.

For Sunday's night game, the starter is apparently yet to be determined.
According to the Providence Journal: "If Kason Gabbard can pitch with his strained lat, he'll be the choice. Otherwise, journeyman Kevin Jarvis or someone off the Portland (AA) roster will get the assignment. The (AA) SeaDogs are in the finals of the Eastern League playoffs..."

What an embarrassment!

FYI:
Curt Schilling might pitch the 2nd game of the series with the Twins next week, but he hasn't pitched since Aug. 30 due to soreness (a strained lat).

Theo: I hope you are putting that guerrilla suit back on

2006-09-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Theo: I hope you are putting that guerrilla suit back on this October.

What a waste... to go to the end of July in first place for most of the year just to have the season unravel in front of our eyes (you and me and a million other fans) !

Yes, there was plenty that happened TO you as the GM: Injuries, diseases and other health ailments can't be avoided, but as a statistician you certainly knew that before the season started.

Yet, blaming the too-early end of the season on any health ailments is not fair to do... Lester wasn't a major league starter at the beginning of this season anyway, and David Ortiz didn't ultimately miss too many games... nor did Jason Varitek for that matter... neither certainly missed as many games as most of the Yankees outfield did!

You also can NOT honestly admit that you really believed you get through the season with David Wells as a season-long reliable pitcher along with Matt Clement and without any backups (like the trustworthy Arroyo).?

It seems to me that Brian Cashman one-upped you by having an actual and substantial backup plan in place! Besides his “central” center plan of stealing Johnny Damon from you, he also was willing to make some (any, please, anything? Really, please, anything at all?) moves to bolster the teams forces at the trade deadline.

I should have known this would be the result of our season when back early in the season your first move to add support to the rotation was to pick up a starting pitcher that the lowly Kansas City Royals had cast off.

Meanwhile: Bronson Arroyo, Hanley Ramirez, Anibel Sanchez, Freddy Sanchez and, yes, even Edgar Renteria all went on to have All-Star type career years. Here at home Josh Beckett pitches to a 5+ ERA.

The future is not so bright anymore. Too bad you spent the off-season thinking about yourself and not the good of the team.

Why is it acceptable that the Yankees are, yet again for the umpteenth time, going to win the AL EAST. Sure, they have a huge salary sum, but is supposed to have the smarts. Is Cashman that wise of an over-sender or did the replacements at the helm this winter goof the job by letting Damon go and creating holes too big to fill?

Just give us some answers? An apology maybe? The team (themselves and the fans) had its hopes up all year long, while in 1st place, and you have let us down. Please explain yourself.

I don't want to hear that you are going to be happ to get a head start on the trading and FA season this year because you won't have to watch the playoffs, instead we loyal supporters deserve an explanation.

Theo? Wait 'til next year

2006-08-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

The season has ended early, apparently.

WTF, Theo?? Do you know something the rest of us don't? Were we NOT in 1st place two weeks ago? Is next year's potential better than this year's 1st place?

Are 2007 tickets worth more than those I already paid for this year?

(I wish you'd told me that before I paid for 2006. Then again, you had a late start yourself... maybe you where too busy catching up from losing Johnny to let me know you weren't planning to present a formidable team for the full season.)

A-Rod hits two HRs and still gets booed

2006-07-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

I love this game!

A-Rod hit two HRs in a game, a grand slam, a walk-off homer earlier in the week to break an 11th inning tie, gets voted into the All-Star game...

And he still gets booed by Yankees fan! All he needs now is a good old-fashioned face-shove and we'll be right on target for a great year.

A-Rod shipped back

2006-07-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

A-Rod Shipped Back To Manufacturer
(To Fix Mechanical Flaw In Swing)

According to Onion Sports, the $25 million dollar man has-been:

After noticing a slight, recurring mechanical flaw in its swing that has caused its season average to dip to .275, Yankee officials sent A-ROD-13, an expensive yet still completely unreliable batting unit, back to its original manufacturer for recalibration and a general tune-up.

Read the article here on Yankees Rumors @ A-Rod shipped back

I love hating A-Rod -- and he makes it so easy

2006-06-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

I love hating A-Rod -- and he makes it so easy!

How can you best these odds? At $25 million per year, employed by the NY Yankees, can anyone possibly live up to the expectations? Add to that if you are a mental case and can't come through for your team in the clutch... things aren't going to go right. So A-Rod has no chance of being the person/hitter the Yankees' fan expect him to be. And he proves that truth quite frequently...

Now, Yankees fans have had enough - the ticket prices they are paying are going toward A-Rod's salary and yet they watch him wiff one 9th-inning after another...

I love this website: Check out one Yankee fans' proof as to why A-Rod must go:
Trade A-Rod at www.tradearod.com

Damon's number #18 given away

2006-06-23T20:38:00.000-07:00

Apparently the Red Sox ownership group isn't expecting that Johnny Damon's #18 number would ever get retired. They've already given the number #18 to an unlikely recipient in rookie pitcher Jason Johnson. (Dustin Mohr had it earlier in the year.)

The numbers of certain other players are currently not in use:
#5 - Nomar Garciaparra
#21 - Roger Clemens
#26 - Wade Boggs

Yankees Rumors

2006-05-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

So now, apparently, the Yankees NEED Alphonso Soriano back!

While theyv'e taken a hit, read this intro to SOUND OFF from the New York Post:

May 28, 2006 -- The Yankees would have been a juggernaut this season if Hideki Matsui hadn't gone down. Now they're going to have to get Alfonso Soriano back before the trading deadline to supercharge the offense. If they don't get Soriano, their offense is going to struggle somewhat and they're almost never going to bust a game open. There's no chance of them getting to or winning the World Series with their offense limited as it is now.

More Yankees Rumors spotted sarcastically by this Red Sox fan.

Boomer Booming

2006-03-17T21:53:00.000-08:00

David Wells: Boomer Booming again.

Def: BOOMING: to make a deep, hollow sound used in attracting mates Each spring prairie-chicken males attract females by booming and dancing. Source: University of Illinois - Illinois Natural History Survey

US WBC - The US failed in the World Baseball Classic

2006-03-17T21:15:00.000-08:00

The US has failed in the World Baseball Classic.

It seems to me that they didn't take it seriously. They could have beaten Mexico. They had all the fire-power of an MLB All-Star team, but, unfortunately, they also had the spirit of a tired All-Star "break" team too.

The US team just seemed lackluster - I'd think that an amateur/semi-pro (old-fashioned) Olympic-type team would've faired better.

With most of the players just barely starting their spring training workouts, its apparent that either they weren't in shape enough for this tournament or they weren't spirited up enough for it.

With the Olympics kicking baseball out, now, and there being no other World Cup type of event for the sport, the World Baseball Classic will need to figure out a way for all players to actually commit to the event mentally and physically.

I hope they figure that out. I don't have a solution to offer myself... I don't think February/March play is suitable. Nor should the MLB break mid-summer... Maybe a new, second "Fall Classic" is in order??

Johnny Damon's ego starts spring training

2006-02-19T08:42:00.000-08:00

Damon Checks In At Yanks' Camp

Opinion: -Apparently Johnny's still not getting over the fact he's in a Yankees uniform... his ego is saying things like:
"I think the Yankees have kind of stolen what the Red Sox were all about"

Read the news in the Hartford Courant.

World Baseball Classic super bowl ad

2006-02-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

The World Baseball Classic Inc. is running an ad promoting the WBC during the Super Bowl this Sunday. A copy of the press release and additional (daily) news are archived on the World-Baseball-Classic-News.com website.

Red Sox 2006 roster is in

2006-02-02T22:19:00.000-08:00

The Red Sox Roster is in

Coco Crisp trade is a 'Done Deal'

2006-01-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

The trade for Coco Crisp has reportedly gone through tonight, pending approval by the MLB commissioner's office. The approval from the commissioner of baseball is likely due to the inclusion of cash in excess of $1 million as part of the deal.

And we will likely hear above the "player-to-be-named-later" after the Indians see whether Mota reports and performs well during Spring Training.

Final Word on Red Sox general management : Theo returns

2006-01-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

While everyone is being critical of both sides of the GM topic, I've got to give kudos to everyone involved.

Theo Epstein, Larry Lucchino, John Henry and everyone handled themselves perfectly: they dealt with the situation not by over-reacting... they instead learned from the various discrepancies... And ultimately they became a better organization via the process.

We all wish they'd done so quicker and prior to the public learning of the situation... But they dealt with organizational issues and they've moved on. We could all hope for the same in our professional lives!

A-Rod - grow a pair

2006-01-18T21:09:00.000-08:00

Alex Rodriguez may just be the biggest "wus" in professional sports history.

He caught the attention of Red Sox fans mainly when the potential there was a potential he'd be traded to the team before the 2004 season. (Most Sox fans are glad to not have a player like him on our team, despite the numbers he puts up. He's now Enemy #1, after all.)

A-Rod went to the Yankees for 2004 and the Sox gained an enemy - and we are all the more happier for it!!

We are happy to not have a cheater (remember he needed a hockey-style glove-shove from Jason Varitek when he got plunked during a game in late July 2004) and later the Hamburger-Helper gloved-one slapped the ball out of Arroyo's hand further helping turn the tide for the Sox in the '04 ALDS.

Then, during the 2005 pre-season, he made a dumb-ass comment to the effect that he'd rather be working out at 6am than driving his children to school. The dead-beat was called out on that comment by Trot Nixon of the Red Sox.

It's recently been reported that A-Rod enjoys late-night poker games and he had to be asked by Yankees team officials to stop risking his life via illegal late night New York City gambling - at least until his baseball career is over!

Yet still, this off-season, A-Rod hasn't been able to decide what country he belongs to. Though born in the US and an American citizen, the gloved-one apparently felt he was a Dominican! OK, his parents were from there, but he was born in the US, he grew up in suburban Florida and couldn't hold a native-language conversation with David Ortiz if the ALDS depended on it!

He had finally made a choice though, a few weeks back, that since he couldn't decide between the two countries he would not "dis-respect" either country and thus he'd sit out the World Baseball Classic altogether. How's that for no dis-respect!!

Now, today, after the rosters have already been announced for all teams, A-Rod has decided he'd like to participate for the U.S. team.

What did he do? Wait until he saw the rosters to help him decide who might win the tournament?

I don't know who gets to vote on team rosters, but I'd suggest just saying no to A-Rod!!

·» A-Rod Reversal: He'll Play For U.S. (via Hartford Courant)

·» A-Rod might be on pair of WBC rosters

World Baseball Classic rosters announced

2006-01-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

·»
Dominican's initial roster star-studded
(via MLB)
·»
Timlin honored to play for Team USA
(via Official Red Sox and MLB Releases)
·»
Team USA unveils all-star roster for World Classic
(via Boston.com baseball - AP)
·»
Bevy of stars heads U.S. WBC roster
(via MLB)
·»
U.S. makes 1st cut for WBC roster
(via Boston Herald)
·»
A-Rod might be on pair of WBC rosters
(via MLB)
·»
A-Rod on Dominican team but may not play
(via Boston.com baseball - AP)

Rice may have sealed his own Hall fate

2006-01-11T08:58:00.000-08:00

Excellent article on how personality may have played a factor in Hall voting for Jim Rice. Most of us forget the individual flaws a person has/had after theyv'e left the limelight - just as we will with Manny Ramirez once his days are past, put certain things remain issues for those who study baseball history (and write it). There is more to history than stats.

Rice was "being Jim", long before "Manny being Manny."
Link to full Article by Bill Reynolds in the Providence Journal.

Hot Stove, Cool Music by Peter Gammons to be held today

2006-01-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

Hot Stove Roundtable to be held at 1pm: Guests include Theo Epstein, Toronto G.M. J.P. Richardi and Peter Gammons

Watch here for any news that comes out of the event. This is Theo's first time talking baseball publicly since turning down the job of G.M. to the Boston Red Sox on October 31st.

Later today, at the Paradise Rock Club: Hot Stove Cool Music show.

website :: Hot Stove, Cool Music ::

BostonHerald.com - Boston Red Sox: Sox — too Manny issues? Cutting ties could be costly

2005-12-29T23:55:00.000-08:00

The Boston Herald: Sox — too Manny issues? Cutting ties could be costly

Seems to me that the Boston Herald writers are out-to-lunch this off season - What are these guys () talking about when they say this potential/rumored trade CREATES holes?

Herald >>> From the Red Sox’ perspective, of course, the problem is that a Ramirez-for-Tejada swap doesn’t really address any on-field holes, particularly if it involves Clement.

SoxSpot Response: Are you kidding? The hole is at SHORTSTOP and we could fill that with Miguel Tejada !!! Any additional holes that are created would be in Fenway's left field (that smallest outfield position in the world) and at starting pitcher, where the Sox current have 7-8 starters ready to go for '06 thus still a few to use for trade bait.

Herald >>> In fact, it creates a hole. Last week, after all, the Sox made a three-year offer to Kevin Millwood so they might have pitching depth to deal from. That would have allowed the Sox to trade both David Wells and Clement or Bronson Arroyo, one of the latter two for either a shortstop or center fielder.

SoxSpot Response: Millwood would have been the Sox NINTH starting pitcher on the 40-man roster. He was unnecessary. Adding him wouldv'e just created further needs to trade away other starters.

Herald >>> Unless the Sox think prospect Andy Marte can produce now — and in left field where he’s never played — then trading Ramirez and Clement creates more holes than it fills.

SoxSpot response: Again, there are plenty of people with the ability to play Fenway's small left field position. Andy Marter or literally any professional athlete should be able to handle it. Heck - Manny handled it all the while being Manny...

Come on Herald! Loosen up!

Original Article on BostonHerald.com: The Boston Herald: Sox — too Manny issues? Cutting ties could be costly

Where did the '04 Red Sox champions go?

2005-12-29T19:23:00.001-08:00

BostonHerald.com - Boston Red Sox: The incredible shrinking champions

Interesting coverage of how many Red Sox from the '04 championship team are gone.

Interesting that they don't bother mentioning Nomar Garciaparra.

Boston Red Sox Rumors: More Tejada possibilities

2005-12-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

Boston Dirt Dogs reports on rumors:

Clement and Manny to Baltimore for Tejada?

OR

Manny to Mets in Four-Way Deal?

Miguel Tejada to the Red Sox
Kris Benson and Julio Lugo to the Orioles
Aaron Heilman and prospects to the Devil Rays
and Manny Ramirez to the Mets.

Read Details on BostonDirtDogs.Boston.Com

Boston.com / Sports / NESN / Eric Wilbur / Roger on rebuild

2005-12-28T20:09:00.000-08:00

Boston.com / Sports / NESN / Eric Wilbur / Roger on rebuild

If the Red Sox are rebuilding, bringing Roger Clemens into this clubhouse would be a great place to start... according to NESN's Eric Wilbur.

Read article here:
http://www.boston.com/sports/nesn/wilbur/sports_blog/blog/2005/12/27/roger_on_rebuild/

Steinbrenner's folly - The Boston Globe

2005-12-24T05:35:00.000-08:00

Steinbrenner's folly - The Boston Globe

Johnny Damon is a New York Yankee : Idiot

2005-12-20T22:36:00.000-08:00

Johnny Damon is a New York Yankee

According to the Associated Press late 12/20, spotted first via Sox fan blogs and then (via the Boston Herald), the Yankees have reached a preliminary deal with Johnny Damon for 4 years at $52 million.

I'm going to need to see the JD signature on this one myself, because I can't believe that:
1. The Red Sox wouldn't offer Damon a similar financial deal; and
2. If so, that Damon would pick NY over Boston given similar financial arrangements.

Of course, the new Sox management may have felt that a Damon contract was a lost cause from the beginning with Boras asking for seven years... but I cant understand the Sox not matching this particular financial arrangement.

And given similar terms (possibly not offered) why would Damon decide to join the Yankees?
I have many thoughts on this topic... check back later for updates...

But the ultimate question remains, WWJDD? Well, he apparently chose the Yankees over the super-star-dom he earned here with millions of Red Sox nation fans in New England and beyond.

OK Johnny: Go shave, Go cut your hair, and prepare yourself for the onslaught of your former fans. You are a superstar no longer, now you're a Damn Yankee. (You will not receive the positive feedback that O. Cabrera got... you are a Yankee now.)

Pedro Martinez's toe still hurting - Boston.com

2005-12-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

This is almost too funny:
Pedro Martinez's toe still hurting - Boston.com

Red Sox ShortStop

2005-12-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

Renteria cost the Red Sox $22-23 million for one year of service in Boston. During that year he never seemed comfortable in Boston, acchieved only sporadically on offense hitting .223 with an .333 OBP and 1 RBI. Most telling, though, is that the former NL All-Star and Gold Glover winner led the league in errors with 30 on the season.

Other recent Red Sox Shortstops didn't fare much better this year mostly due to injury.

Former Sox posterboy Nomar Garciappara sat out most of the season with a groin injury. Upon his return to the Cubs he played shortstop, having lost the SS job to a rookie, and hit .333 in 33 games. He also sat out much of 2004 with various injuries.

In 2004, Nomar's first half replacement was then-second baseman Pokey Reese. Reese didn't play in 2005 due to surgery.

Orlando Cabrera, whom the Sox traded Nomar and others to get in 2004, played the 2nd half of the 2004 season for . Cabrera became a fan favorite for spirited play, clutch hitting and shined with the World Series bound team happy to have him.

PS: The Sox tried to get Alex Rodriguez during the off-season -- he ended up going to the Yankees and having one of the worst seasons of his career.

Current Red Sox 2006 Roster

2005-12-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

As it stands today, the Red Sox have backups in most positions, but still need a full-timers for Center Field, Shortstop, and possibly Left Field. Some additional bullpen assistance and a First baseman to potentially platoon with with Kevin Youkilis (and David Ortiz) is desired.

Upcoming posts will analyze the openings and the available market (including our own prospects) for these positions. (We are also working on a tool to let you vote for/against current position holders vs. potential replacements.)

2006 Red Sox Depth chart

Catcher = J. Varitek (2008, no trade clause), K. Huckaby, K. Shoppach (AAA)
First Base = K. Youkilis (limited experience at position), D. Ortiz (capable, maybe the GMs should consider platooning him with Youk?)
Second Base = Mark Loretta, D. Pedrioa (AAA)
Third Base = M. Lowell, A. Marte
ShortStop: A. Cora
Right Field = T. Nixon
Center Field = Free Agent vacancy.
Left Field = M. Ramirez - (wants to be traded)

Starting Pitchers:
C. Schilling
J. Beckett
T. Wakefield
M. Clement - could be traded. Seattle interested.
J. Papelbon (or long relief?)
D. Wells - (wants to be traded)

Long Relief:
B. Arroyo (or starter)

Setup:
M. Timlin
Jermaine Van Buren
G. Mota
C. Bradford
M. Delcarmen

Closers:
K. Foulke
C. Hansen

Notes:
Arbitration has been offered to:
Damon
Tony Graffanino
Bill Mueller (already signed with the LA Dodgers).

Arbitration was not offered to:
Kevin Millar (free agent)
Matt Mantei (free agent)
Mike Myers (already signed with the Yankees)
John Olerud (has decided to retire)

Roger Clemens is considering rejoining the Red Sox

2005-12-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

While many Red Sox fans publicly called for Roger Clemens' return to the Red Sox to finish his career, after the Astros declined to offer him salary arbitration, The Rocket hasn't publicly acknowledged any teams interest in him or spoken about his own interests... until now.

While it remains to be seen whether the 44-year-old pitch at all in 2006, he many would be thrilled to see him return to Boston to finish his career where it started... in a Red Sox uniform.

FROM MLB.com:

Roger Clemens said Thursday night that he will consider four teams if he decides to pitch in 2006: the Red Sox, Astros, Yankees and Rangers.

While the story of Roger being unceremoniously pushed out of town by former Sox G.M. Dan Duquette is well-known, the new Sox ownership and fans remain enamored by the seven-time Cy Young award winner. The feelings may not be 100% mutual considering the events of 1996, but Clemens' has spoken well of the team, fans and the City of Boston recently. With new ownership and baseball management having already expressed interest, Roger seems willing to at least consider a return.

Dan Duquette, who let his feelings that Roger was entering the "twilight" of his career be know publicly, has been scorned for having done so especially after Roger left to continue his stellar career for the Blue Jays, Yankees and Astros. He's earned a World Series ring by helping the New York win championships and carried the Astros to the playoffs in 2005. With additional pitching support (and barely any offensive support) the Astros made it to the World Series this year for the first time while Roger pitched an amazing 1.87 ERA during the regular season.

Another interesting stat: Clemens is currently tied with Cy Young as the winningest pitcher in Red Sox history. Each has 192 wins for Boston.

Red Sox General Manager(s)

2005-12-13T22:19:00.000-08:00

The Boston Red Sox announced that the team will operate under the management of TWO GMs. Two General Managers!?!?

And maybe G.M. Theo Epstein can come back and manage these general managers.

Well, I think Red Sox fans have just wasted more than a month wondering what will happen, because the answer is nothing. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, Ben Cherrington and Jed Hoyer seem quite capable as evidenced by the short off-season so far.

The two will basically continue to operate in their previous roles, they will just answer to Lucchino instead of having Theo Epstein as their middleman.

Ben Cherrington will now be the GM of Minor League Operations while Jed Hoyer will GM the Major League operations. FYI: Job Titles before where 1) Ben Cherrington - Director of Player Development and 2) Jed Hoyer - Assistant to the GM.

What's news here? Sounds like just another delay, but this time it came thinly disguised via a press conference.

Theo, for his part, in turning down Lucchino contract offer has essentially/apparently opted-out from being the middleman any longer - in my opinion. As much has been said or theorized in the newspapers of record (listed to your right) lately.

Comments?

Red Sox Rumors - First Post

2005-12-13T18:47:00.000-08:00

Red Sox Rumors is here!
In this space, you'll find:

Up-to-the minute news as soon as it hits.

We'll gather news from many sources and collect it here

Opinions on the rumors and news.
A blog of commentary about news we'd like to see.
Red Sox specific links.
Highlights from and links to other blogs.
Updated Red Sox roster information.

... all in a digest format that'll help make keeping up as a Red Sox fan easier!!

Thanks for visiting us!