December 11, 2008

Boras Says Sox Have Made Offer To Varitek

Scott Boras claims the Red Sox have made a contract offer to Jason Varitek. The Globe reports a "source familiar with the talks" says that is not true -- and the only "offer" was for arbitration.

Theo Epstein said only that the club was "in the middle" of negotiations on several fronts. However, the ProJo reports Theo has made three offers to free agents -- and Tek was supposedly one of them. Epstein: "It's kind of a fine line between offers and non-offers."

The Red Sox have asked for and received John Smoltz's medical records (he pitched only 28 innings last year before having right shoulder surgery). Smoltz turns 42 next May. In each of his last three full seasons (2005-07), he pitched more than 200 innings and had ERA+s of 138, 127, and 137. Epstein:
If you look at the history of free-agent pitching, the best signings -- or the best values for signings -- are the ones that are the shortest, smallest investment -- buying low. Especially if you have a solid pitching foundation already and you're not desperate. ... The huge contracts, long-term megadeals for pitchers haven't really worked out. We've been, for the most part, able to stay away from that.
Sean McAdam of the Herald says Mark Teixeira has received two firm offers: 8/180 from the Nationals (MLB says 8/160) and 7/150 from the Orioles. The Red Sox have not made an official offer.

ESPN's Steve Phillips says the Red Sox and the Diamondbacks are discussing a Julio Lugo for Eric Byrnes swap. Ugggh. ... Boston nabbed RHP Miguel Gonzalez from the Angels in the Rule 5 draft. ... The Sox are interested in Carl Pavano. Getting him on the cheap and having him do well, especially against the Yankees, would be absolutely hilarious.

10 comments:

FenFan said...

I find it interesting that B-R.com notes one of Byrnes' nicknames to be Crash Test Dummy; the other is Pigpen.

Lugo for Byrnes doesn't have much appeal but there may not be a better offer for Lugo. Byrnes does offer speed (50 SB in 2007) and a slightly higher OPS. At least he shouldn't be as much of a defensive liability like Lugo has become.

Patrick said...

Byrnes would be a decent righty off the bench. He hits over .800 OPS vs lefties, and has some speed. How much is he owed?

Plus, Lugo sucks. I'd trade him for a sack of potatoes.

Zenslinger said...

Yeah, RS, why "Ugghh" at a Byrnes-Lugo trade? Something we do need for something we don't need?

Zenslinger said...

Read some on Lugo/Byrnes on SoSH...I get RedSock's POV now.

s1c said...

It all makes sense, see you sign Tiexera. Move Youkilis to SS and viola - no need for Lugo so you trade him for a high enthusiasm fourth outfielder.

Youkilis to SS - quick bh, what are those pills you've been giving me again and why are there pink elephants dancing in our bedroom?

Unknown said...

Byrnes is a pretty big loser. But he's not a bad fourth outfielder/bat off the bench. He's cheaper than Lugo (but not that much). I'd probably do this, if I couldn't find anything better.

We should bring back Kapler, though.

allan said...

The SoSH discussion. When it comes to Byrnes, I am firmly in the "irrational hatred" camp.

9casey said...

Patrick said...
Plus, Lugo sucks. I'd trade him for a sack of potatoes.

I like potatoes
...

laura k said...

Yeah, don't be comparing Lugo to potatoes. I love potatoes!

Unknown said...

Actually, Byrnes is making 11 million.

Wow.

That's awful.