|
|
-
 The Tampa Bay Rays watched Phillies slugger Pat Burrell closely during last season's World Series and they liked what they saw.
FOX Sports reports that the defending AL Champ Tampa Bay Rays are close to signing a two-year deal with the right-handed slugger worth $16 million.
Burrell, who spent his first nine seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, is a .257 lifetime hitter but has averaged 31 homers and 99 RBIs in each of the last four seasons. The 32-year-old is expected to serve as Tampa's designated hitter but can also play right field.
In nine Major League seasons, Burrell has hit 251 home runs and 827 RBIs but has struck out a whopping 1,273 times in 1,306 games played.
|
-
 The Providence Journal is reporting that the Red Sox and Jason Varitek may agree on a two-year deal to bring the veteran catcher back to Boston.
Varitek and his agent Scott Boras have been seeking a four-year deal worth about $40 million, but no teams appear interested in signing the switch-hitter based on his low offensive numbers in 2008.
Tek hit .220 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 131 games for the Sox last season.
Earlier this week, Boston signed catcher Josh Bard who appeared in seven games for the Sox in 2006 before being traded to San Diego.
|
-
 The San Francisco Giants have offered a contract to left fielder Manny Ramirez reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The reports indicate that agent Scott Boras has received an offer for the 36-year-old slugger for two years with options for a third and fourth. The Giants’ rivals, the Dodgers, have offered Ramirez a two-year deal worth $45 million with a third-year option that would have pushed the deal to $60 million.
The Giants, who have signed pitcher Randy Johnson already this offseason, are in need of offensive help, as they scored just 640 runs in 2008.
|
-
The New York Mets have been courting Derek Lowe for a while now. Most of the offseason really, but he and agent Scott Boras have yet to let their guard down. Lowe wants a four year deal that would pay him $15M a year. According to reports, the Mets are only willing to go three years. In his usual hard ball tactics, Boras is telling everyone that there are teams out there making Lowe higher offers. Hopefully that is the case because, if the Mets don’t bite, he could end up homeless as the Red Sox would become the top contender and they have already stated their feeling about spending this offseason (see Mark Teixeira deal). This deal also causes another problem for the Mets as their backup choice is Oliver Perez, who is also represented by Boras. They won’t be able to escape dealing with Boras unless they move to their third option of Randy Wolf. Only time will tell what happens with this situation.
The Mets aren’t the only team considering making bullpen moves, as it seems that the Chicago Cubs might be considering signing Jake Peavy again. The acquisition of Peavy could be conditional on the trade of Mark DeRosa to the Indians and the signing of Aaron Miles, reports say. It’s a complicated situation that hopefully has an agreeable ending for all parties involved.
|
-
 Reports from SI.com indicate that the Red Sox were interested in reacquiring shortstop Hanley Ramirez in exchange for youngsters Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz.
Ramirez, who hit .301 last season for Florida, also joined the 30-30 club when he belted 33 home runs and swiped 35 stolen bases. The 25-year-old was traded to the Marlins from Boston in exchange for Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett in 2005.
The Red Sox are believed to be happy with Jed Lowrie as the club's future shortstop and if the trade were to have gone through, the athletic Ramirez may have been moved to centerfield.
Ramirez, who ripped 67 runs batted in last year, signed a six-year, $70 million extension during the season.
|
-
 According to multiple sources, the Red Sox and former Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny are closing in on a one-year deal worth $5 million. Incentives and performance bonuses could tally up to another $3 million if the pitcher reaches at least 160 innings.
After coming off of a career year in 2007, the 29-year-old struggled in 2008 and was forced to shut it down in the month of September due to shoulder soreness. Last season, Penny went just 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA in 17 starts and two relief appearances for the Dodgers before being placed on the 60-day disabled list.
In 2007, Penny posted a 16-4 record to go with a career-low 3.03 ERA over 208 innings pitched. In nine major league seasons, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound righty has notched 94 wins and over 1,000 strikeouts.
Also joining the Sox is catcher Josh Bard. Bard spent last season with the Padres where he hit just .202 in 57 games for San Diego. The deal in place for the catcher who had played seven games for the Red Sox back in 2006, is a non-guaranteed major league deal for $1.6 million.
|
-
 Back in May, it was reported that Japanese righty pitcher Kenshin Kawakami preferred Boston as his future team upon becoming a free agent in 2009. The Globe's Nick Cafardo reports that the Red Sox are one of five teams interested in signing Kawakami this offseason.
Kawakami was Japan's highest paid starter for the champion Chunichi Dragons (he made around $3 million). The 37-year-old mixes a fastball (low-90's), a cutter, and a slow curveball.
The 1998 Rookie of the Year is known as a "big game pitcher" who is always challenging hitters. In 2007, Kawakami was 12-8 with a 3.55 ERA and helped the Dragons end a 53-year championship drought by beating the Nippon Ham Fighters in five games. In 2008, Kawakami went 9-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 20 games.
Other Major League clubs rumored to be interested in Kawakami are the Orioles, Braves, Cardinals and Reds.
|
-
 It appears that the message sent to Andy Pettitte this offseason from the Yankees front office has been 'thanks, but no thanks.'
The lefty pitcher, who has spent 11 seasons in pinstripes, will most likely not be returning to the Bronx for the 2009 season, especially after New York’s recent signing spree.
The Daily News is reporting that the Yankees are probably going to give 22-year-old Phil Hughes another shot even though the young righty was injured and ineffective in 2008. Hughes will most likely be the fifth starter in a rotation that will feature CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Joba Chamerlain and Chien-Ming Wang.
In eight starts last season for the Yankees, Hughes went 0-4 with a 6.62 ERA after being offered a spot in the starting rotation last spring training. Pettitte, who will be turning 37 next summer, went 14-14 with a 4.54 ERA in 33 starts for New York in 2008.
There has been rumors floating around this offseason that Pettitte has been seeing offers in the range of three years for about $36 million from other teams besides the Yankees who have reportedly offered Pettitte a one-year deal worth $10 million.
|
-
Derek Lowe is on the top of the Mets’ wish list this Christmas.
Yahoo Sports is reporting that the free-agent pitcher is New York’s prime target and is “deep in negotiations” with the team.
Lowe, 35-years-old, was originally looking for a contract in the five-year, $90 million range, but has since backed off those demands, especially after the other team in New York landed Lowe’s counterpart, A.J. Burnett, for five and $82.5 million.
The sinkerball right-hander would bolster an already-solid top of the rotation for the Mets, joining Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine. Brandon Knight and Jonathon Niese are currently sitting in the four and five spots.
New York general manager Omar Minaya has made pitching a focus in the offseason, landing free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez on Dec. 10 in a three-year, $37 million deal, followed just a day later by a three-team, 12-player trade that brought Seattle’s J.J. Putz to Queens as a set-up complement to K-Rod.
This throws another wrench into the works for a Boston team that has done little to counter a slew of moves from the division-rival Yankees, most recently their eight-year, $180 million contract for first baseman Mark Teixeira, a free-agent prize the Red Sox had pursued vigorously.
The failure (or choice not to) to land Teixeira does theoretically leave Boston with the $170 million it had reportedly offered the slugger, and spending it on pitching would make sense.
At the moment, the Sox’ starting rotation is strong at the top — Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka — but leaves questions at the four and five spots. Will Tim Wakefield’s back stay healthy? Can Justin Masterson have as much success as a starter as he did last season as a reliever?
Lowe, who has spent the better part of eight seasons with Boston, would help put those worries to rest. The 6-6, 230-pounder has been about as durable as pitchers get and was dominant last year with the Dodgers, pitching 211 innings while surrendering just 194 hits and an ERA of 3.24.
Moreover, Lowe, who won three clinching games in the Red Sox’ magical postseason run in 2004, hasn’t been shy about his interest in returning to Boston, telling the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo in October that he wants to pitch for an organization with a chance to win.
The latest rumors coming out of New York, though, could put a stop to the reunion. That, and one other minor hindrance: Lowe is represented by Red Sox killer Scott Boras.
|
-
 And you thought you spent a lot this holiday season.
The Yankees found their cleanup hitter on Tuesday when they signed free agent Mark Teixeira for eight years and approximately $180 million. Earlier this offseason, the Bronx Bombers picked up pitchers A.J. Burnett and CC Sabathia for roughly $243 million bringing their total (thus far) shopping spree to about $423 million on just three players.
In the last week alone, the Red Sox went from front-runners (Boston’s offer was rumored to be for eight seasons in the $170 million range) to self-proclaimed non-factors before once again regaining the lead in the first baseman sweepstakes as recent as Sunday, when the Angels withdrew their offer to the switch-hitting slugger.
The Nationals and Orioles – though small-market clubs – were in the mix as well, trying to get the Severna Park, MD native to become the new face of their respective franchises for the majority of the next decade.
Teixeira told the media on Nov. 19 that he would like to be on a team by Christmas Day. The smooth-fielding, power hitting 28-year-old got his wish and broke Red Sox Nation's heart.
Teixeira hit .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs while splitting time with both the Braves (103 games) and the Angels (54 games) in 2008. In 26 games at Yankee Stadium, Teixeira has a .305 career batting average to go with five homers and 21 RBIs.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has hit just .194 with one home run and five RBIs in 19 career contests at Fenway Park. Against Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka combined, Teixeira is 2-for-14 (.143) with four strike outs and one walk.
Tex and the Yankees come to friendly Fenway for the rivalry's first clash of the 2009 season for a three-game series starting Friday, Apr. 24.
|
-
 Just when the Red Sox thought they had Mark Teixeira all to themselves after one of their biggest bidding rivals -- the Angels -- dropped out of the battle, a dark horse comes back into the picture out of nowhere.
Multiple reports from Maryland indicate that the Nationals have upped their ante in the Teixeira pot and are even considering adding a ninth year to sweeten the deal.
The Nats have apparently offered the Severna Park, MD native a deal worth somewhere in the range of $178-$184 million and are willing to talk of a ninth, perhaps even a tenth year.
Earlier this offseason, the first baseman told the public that he would like to be signed to a team by Christmas Day meaning the Nationals are leading the way down the final stretch.
|
-
 Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Angels are withdrawing their offer to first baseman Mark Teixeira.
Sources indicate that the Angels had offered Teixeira an eight-year deal worth somewhere in the range of $160 million but the 28-year-old wants to return to the east coast for family reasons.
Despite the Red Sox recently announcing that they are a non-factor in the Teixeira sweepstakes, Boston remains to be the favorite, especially now that his former team has officially withdrawn their offer.
In 54 games with the Halos in 2008, the Maryland native hit .358 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs. In six major league seasons, Teixeira has a .290 career batting average with 203 home runs and 676 RBIs.
|
-
 It's almost Christmas and the Red Sox are still without a backstop for the 2009 campaign. According to the Boston Globe, trade talks between the Texas Rangers aren't going to be heating up anytime soon.
The Rangers have been showing much interest in Clay Buchholz. Despite his struggles in 2008, the prized righty is considered off-limits by the Sox. Also believed to be on this 'untouchables' list are Justin Masterson and maybe even Michael Bowden.
One minor league hurler that is believed to be dangled by the BoSox in exchange for either Taylor Teagarden or Jarrod Saltalamacchia is Daniel Bard.
In 31 games with Double-A Portland, Bard saved seven games to go with a 4-1 record and a 1.99 ERA. The 23-year-old struck out 64 batters in 49 2/3 innings.
|
-
 The Red Sox appear to be setting up the Baltimore Orioles for one of its franchise’s most monumental signings.
One day after John Henry publically announced that the Sox were a “non-factor” in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, one writer for the Baltimore Sun submits a very convincing argument for the O’s to cough up the loot for it’s homegrown All-Star.
Teixeira, who grew up in Severna Park, MD, is seeking a deal that is reportedly worth $22-$23 million per year. After years of a steady decline in attendance and payroll, the O’s are setting themselves up perfectly for a Ripkenesque leader to jumpstart the ailing franchise.
In 18 career games at Baltimore's Camden Yards, Teixeira has four home runs to go with 14 RBIs and a .261 batting average compared to a .194 batting average with just one homer in 19 career games at Fenway.
|
-
Will it ever end? The Mark Teixeira sweepstakes have gone beyond the typical trade talks and taken on a life of their own.
Although Red Sox owner John Henry said Thursday night that the team will not be a factor in the slugger’s final decision, reports claim that the club has offered Tex as much as eight years, $180 million and could even go up to $184 million. The front office seems to be staying strong and won’t succumb to Scott Boras’ talks of higher offers out there.
On another note, the Atlanta Braves are none too happy about Rafael Furcal staying with the Dodgers. Atlanta president John Schuerholz is so angry about the deal that he claims the team will never do business with Wasserman Media Group, the company that represents Furcal, ever again -- no matter who the player may be. Talk about crying over spilled milk.
|
|
|
