There's been lots of chatter about the Red Sox and Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth, but Boston isn't necessarily committed to acquiring an outfielder through free agency. Here's the latest:
- The Red Sox "have their eye on bigger fish" than David DeJesus, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. Lauber's source says the Red Sox weren't a serious bidder for DeJesus this week.
- The Red Sox tried to acquire DeJesus from the Royals before the A’s swooped in and made a deal for the outfielder, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Back when the Red Sox tried to acquire DeJesus in July, they were willing to discuss top ten prospects with the Royals.
- Boston’s interest in DeJesus shows that they’re interested in exploring alternatives to free agency as they attempt to improve their outfield.
- Speier hears that the Mets would “certainly” entertain offers for Carlos Beltran.
- The Red Sox would have no interest in trading Daisuke Matsuzaka for Kosuke Fukudome, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald (on Twitter).
- Silverman also argues that Carl Crawford, Adrian Beltre and John Buck should top Boston's list of offseason priorities. We heard yesterday that the Red Sox are eyeing Buck.
BravesRed
Why is a Mets rumor in with Red Sox rumors?
ilikebaseball
probably because the prior rumor states that the Red Sox are possibly looking to trade for an outfielder and Beltran would most likely interest them in that scenario…
Tko11
I really hope not…unless the Mets eat most of the contract and Red Sox dont give up much.
ilikebaseball
Agreed.
Just_MLB
ummm…i dont think the mets would ask for prospects. it would be more of a contract for contract(s) swap.
think beltran and his 18 million for dice-k (10 mil ) and cameron’s (8 ) million.
then in 2011, the mets have dice-k and his 10 mil salary on the hook. but dice-k in the NL, in Citifield would probably be just as good or better than he is right now.
dc21892
Maybe because of speculation that the Sox would trade Dice-K for Beltran? I remember reading it before, but other than that I don’t really know why.
Joe
Because it is being reported from a Boston Radio Station website.
InLeylandWeTrust
Why would any team want Fukodome? Itl be the same old story this season, great 1st month or 2, then horrible the rest of the way.
pageian
Fukudome posted an 1.117 OPS in August 2010.
theos_chief_of_staff
Fukudome is nothing more than a fourth OF
InLeylandWeTrust
He also had 3 months where he hit .210 or lower. Only a Cubs fan would think he has any value to go along with that absurd contract. That is worse than me trying to sell Carlos Guillen as a viable trade option for other teams.
Tko11
Wow I like Dejesus, but I dont think he would fit on the Red Sox. Dice K doesnt have much value but he still has more value than Fukudome. I agree with Silverman Crawford Beltre Buck and I would also add downs to that list.
pageian
I think you’re right about Dice K and Fukudome. Fukudome is more consistent but Dice K has more upside potential. Plus after the last two years they wouldn’t exactly be selling high on him. I don’t think the Sox are going to trade him.
Ethanator99
If the Mets take on most the money, it would be cool to see Beltran play LF for Cinci. It’s probably not practical but hey, it’s the offseason. It’s the time for stupid dream trade proposals and fake lineups
Phillips 2B
Rolen 3B
Votto 1B
Bruce RF
Beltran LF
Stubbs CF
Hanigan/Hernandez C
Janish SS
P
Just_MLB
sure…while we are dreaming, Beltran for Phillips/Chapman
Alex
Matsuzaka for Fukudome would be a terrible trade for the Sox.
J. Michael Warren
Ahhh, the A’s. They’re like a more proactive AL version of the Pirates. Their only purpose is load up on trade-able players to deal at the deadline. The A’s are rebuilding for a season that’ll never get here.
mcchampions
Yeah. I mean they had a .500 record this past year and their oldest starter was 27. Definitely nothing to get excited about there.
James Hannon
You really have no idea what you are talking about do you?
Zuidvogels
Until Agon is traded and/or extended I believe the Sox will be trying t find someone to keep 1B warm until Agon gets there. Youk is already training for 3B. They are gonna try and find a stop gap 1B for this season.
chowdah219
The dice_k trade wont happen simply because of his NTC in his contract..He has already stated that he would only waive it to go to the westcoast..Think trade with dodgers or seattle
SmackSaw
Angels are getting Crawford and Beltre.
Andres322
I think there only gettinq crawford and soriano and a lefty reliever but i dnt think there qettinq beltre
BoSoxSam
Ehh…I think you’re getting Crawford. We’ll see about Beltre.
Joe
I am a Yankee fan, but I feel the best bet for the Sox would be to re-sign Beltre. Sure it may cost a pretty penny, but it would save them prospects and money in the long run as opposed to a trade for AGon or Prince. Beltre is widely known as one of the best defensive 3B in the game. Of course if they got AGon or Prince they could just shift over Youk, but they would have to give up prospects AND sign AGon/Prince to a very large extension.
Some may say Beltre’s season is a fluke due to contract year, however he proved he can rake at Fenway while AGon just had shoulder surgery. Youk and Beltre have shown they can thrive at Fenway and at 1B and 3B so why change it?
Of course, the Sox need to be the highest bidders…
brian mcgahan
I think the Red Sox should sign Beltre, then wait to free agency to try to land Gonzalez/Pujols/Fielder. I have no reason to believe Beltre won’t have a good season in 2011, and the Red Sox could turn around and deal him in 2012 if necessary. They could also put Youk or one of the FA 1B at DH temporarily, not ideal but whatever. There is no guarantee these guys hit free agency, they could get dealt to other teams and sign extensions. Plus the Red Sox are legit WS contenders and need to build a roster capable of doing that this year.
BoSoxSam
And I’m a Boston fan, but I have a feeling we might not hate each other.
Kevin
I want nothing to do with Fukudome or Beltran. Injury prone, overpaid, under producing. No thank you.
Guest
I’m sorry, but is it just me or do we ALWAYS see something along these lines???
“The Red Sox tried to acquire DeJesus from the Royals before the A’s swooped in and made a deal for the outfielder,”
The Red Sox tried this, tried that. They went after Kerry Wood only to have the Yanks swoop in at the trade deadline. Red Sox hate aside, but dang, Theo sucks. I hope he can prove me wrong and pull off a solid trade, however I ain’t holding my breath. Sorry folks. Just saying it like it is…
mowses
Haters gonna hate
Guest
I’m trying not too dude, but come on…It’s always the Red Sox were involved until….
brian mcgahan
Would you rather the Red Sox not get involved in anything? I’m pretty sure they spent more money offseason than any other team. Are you really crying over Dejesus and Wood? Really? Theo Epstein is a top 3 MLB GM, and the Yankees would fire Cashman today to replace him with Epstein. Wait for the offseason to actually being before you start crying, my god Red Sox fans are so annoying.
Ian_Smell
Lovers gonna love.
JackParkman
and if they hate then let them hate and watch the money pile up
BoSoxSam
Oh jeez, you’re really picking on some really sketchy examples. I see what you mean, but..
Look, with DeJesus it was pretty clear to most people that he was not at the top of Boston’s list. And why would he be, if you’ve got Werth and Crawford sitting there as very attractive free agents? Boston was sending out feelers to see if they could fleece KC, but otherwise they weren’t really going to make a move there. And its the same with Kerry Wood, although he has played well enough in NY that maybe you think a better decision could have been made. Still, though, at that point NY had much better playoff prospects, and were fine with taking on Woods salary and troubled history in order to give them that extra push. With the Sox, we were simultaneously unloading relievers, and were starting to bring the young guns up to get a shot. With where we were in the standings, with the injuries we had, etc. It was not worth it to lose even a low-grade prospect for Wood. The only reasons Boston was even involved were 1. again, just sniffing around for an unlikely bargain, and 2. trying to jack up NY’s price if they could. Simply because the Yanks were interested, Boston was interested. That’s how it goes right now.
Now, look at some of the guys Epstein has actually been seriously interested in. He pushed VERY hard for A-Rod, and there were contractual issues; I forget what exactly. And with Teixeira, we offered almost exactly what NY did, and he went to the Yanks for a couple million extra. I think Theo has done a great job, making sure to at least keep tabs on all the major FAs and possible trades, but always keeping priorities straight and not just nabbing the first decent option (RE: Dejesus).
Rick
The issue with the ARod deal was that the league wouldnt let ARod restructure his deal to lower his annual salary. Everything else was in place. That was on the league, not Theo. Well said, Sam.
BoSoxSam
Oh, right. I knew it was some legality like that. Thanks, Rick.
Just_MLB
they should’ve have just deferred salary instead of trying to eliminate it.
that was a terrible lack of creativity on both their parts. had A-rod been in Boston, the yanks are stuck with Lebron Boone at 3B for 2004…
Dennis
Fukudome at $12 mil a year—for .260/10/50? What were the Cubs thinking?
guest_54
Just guessing here, but I’m betting the Cubs were thinking that they’d be getting production from Fukudome more in line with his Japanese stats (.305/.397/.543/.940).