Hot Stove

Height of the midseason hot stove and I've been woefully absent from ITM. Then I just woke up this morning sweating baseball. There's just so damn much going on right now.

---Gotta start with the Sox big move of the week. Adam LaRoche. (For a good snapshot of how crazy eccentric baseball used to be, before the corporate/statistical complex took over, check out the wikipedia entry on LaRoche's dad, Dave.) I've been mulling this one over for a couple days now, and I have to say, I don't like it. Maybe I'll eat those words in a few months, but for the time being, I just can't help it. He's a talent, no doubt, but my general impression over his career has been this: he's the infield JD Drew. Pretty swing, lots of potential, lack of passion, ill suited to the spotlight. I could be wrong, but that's what I've gleamed following him vaguely from afar. I know I know about all this 'he lights it up in the second half' stuff, but that implies, if anything, that he hits a stride after a good deal of at-bats. At-bats that he's not going to get playing spot infield. If he's a late bloomer, then he might not bloom at all platooning. And defensively, the Sox are now less diverse. For the next month, the Sox have, essentially, two backups in the infield and one in the outfield. That outfielder? Rocco Baldelli. All that stands between the Sox and a minor league starter is JD Drew and Rocco Baldelli. Read again. Kotsay, while not a great outfielder, could do the job when needed. LaRoche will not. The rest of the comparisons between them don't do much to distinguish, in my opinion. I just don't like the move. Smells of desperation to me. But please, tell me I'm wrong.

---Sounds like Victor Martinez talks are heating up. Sox have reportedly drawn a hard line on Buchholz. But they're listening as the Indians propose various packages comprised of some combination of Bard, Tazawa, Bowden, and Casey Kelley. Here's my fear: the Yankees want Cliff Lee bad. Local reporters here in NYC have written about it everyday this week. Word is Yankees balked at the price, which was going to involve at least one of their two (already big league contributing) studs, Phil Hughes or Joba, plus their top minor league arms. The Indians want pitching. They're hanging onto Cliff Lee because he's an ace and he's cheap. But, if they could fleece the Sox for three top pitching prospects, it seems entirely possible that the Indians would start listening to Yankees trades that involved position player prospects, assets that the Yankees are less reluctant to give up. That is to say, if the Sox give into the Indians demands on Victor Martinez, it's entirely possible that makes Cliff Lee to the Yankees much, much more likely to happen. I really don't want to see that.

---The Sox have also inquired after Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres. (Caveat - since LaRoche, you'd have to think this or the Victor Martinez move are far less likely, but it doesn't sound, from the chatter, like the Sox are easing up at all. This 2-5 skid has put a good scare in them.) Frankly, I liked this move better. Gonzalez seems to me to fit the Sox mold better. His average is down this year, but his OBP and SLG are up. And he's three years younger than Martinez. And reportedly, the Padres weren't just looking for pitching. They would have taken fewer arms in exchange for Lars Anderson's inclusion. I may be the only one in Boston, but honestly, I could care less if Anderson got away in a solid trade. Too bad the Indians aren't interested there.

---My favorite Sox rumor of the week: For a brief, glimmering moment, there was word that the Sox might be after Marco Scutaro. Oh what might have been. The Venezuelan Kevin Youkilis. And what a name.

---Sounds like Halladay is headed to the Phillies, possibly today. The big question is just whether the Phillies are going to let Kyle Drabek go. My guess is they do, despite their claims that he was 'untouchable', but reports today suggest the deal might get done with only J.A. Happ (righty) plus a top position prospect. I have to say, if this deal happens, the Phillies are going to be a scary force in the playoffs.

---I have absolutely nothing to say about Matt Holliday to the Cardinals, except to point out I really think we should all just agree that the guy is just another Colorado bust, and that D Vicino loved him. Loved him. Wanted him for the Sox bad. Sorry, I just had to point that out.

---Preemptive response to D Vicino's opposition: Yes, I know I picked the Oakland A's to win the AL West. I know, all right. But at least I let myself get seduced by the promise of youth rather than just altitude and thin air. Chump.

More from ITM as the weekend goes on. The MLB and even the AL East could look an awful lot different in the cold unforgiving light of Sunday morning.

Rocco to Rock # 5: I love it

The signing of Rocco Baldelli became official today. The Red Sox 2009 roster is finally starting to fill out (save for the catching position).....but I think I'm more excited about the fact that Rocco will be sporting good old number five this season. The picture above just looks right doesn't it?

Nomar and Rocco have many similarities... in my opinion they kind of look alike, they both seem to have a special place in the hearts of Red Sox Nation (or in Nomar's case, "had"), both have not entirely lived up to their hype (I'll give Nomar his credit while in Boston, he was an amazing hitter and "interesting" fielder but he has simply not been the same player after leaving), and both seem to struggle staying healthy. There is also some kind of intrinsic value within having a good baseball-chant name, both Nomar and Rocco succeed in this area.

In regards to health, RSN is being told that the Red Sox have done thorough due diligence, yielding optimistic results. Baldelli was tested at MGH which resulted in news the Red Sox wanted to hear and encourage them to sign the 27 year old Cumberland native....I trust MGH and everything, but I still have guarded optimism in regards to his play this upcoming season. To expect a return to "the next Joe DiMaggio" would simply be asking too much, but adding value to a limited Red Sox bench could be a key role, especially down the stretch of a long season.

Solid number choice Rocco, go get em....

ITM Notes:

-Rocco was voted the winner of this year's Tony Conigliaro Award because of he's Italian and from Rhode Island....jokes (I think), it is actually presented to a major league player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of Tony C.

-ITM will be taking part in a baseball round table discussion at Fenway Park on Saturday, we'll be sure to share some pictures (if I can find my camera) and insight into topics discussed.

Suspicious Movements in Yankees Outfield

According to recent reports coming out of SI, the NYY may be looking to move corner outfielders. Specifically, they are looking for offers on Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady. The former is no surprise after the Teixeira signing. The latter became a fast fan-favorite in NY, but the Yankees may believe that last season's performance was a ceiling and are looking to sell high.

That would leave the Yankees with Damon, Matsui (no-trade clause), Cabrera, and Gardner for their outfield. Considering the health concerns of Damon and Matsui, the Yankees would much prefer them to at least begin the season in a DH/outfield platoon. As for Melky and Gardner, clearly the team thinks they can do better. Which begs the question that has lit up Yankees blogs this afternoon...

Are the Yankees making room for Manny? With each day that passes, it's more and more of a buyer's market on Manny, and if the Yankees are in fact interested in moving both Swisher and Nady (and not one or the other), then it would seem quite plausible that the Yankees are situating themselves to make the signing.

And come on, let's be honest, Sox fans, you've pretty much assumed for the last four or five months that this was how it would all end, didn't you?

Rays Sign Burrell, Continue to Quietly Improve

The Tampa Bay Rays may not be getting the same amount of ink that the Red Sox and Yankees are, but they are quietly getting better and filling their holes this off season. Yesterday, the Rays signed outfielder Pat Burrell from the Phillies. The deal is worth 16 million over 2 years, fitting right into the Rays payroll limitations and could be considered a discount over the current market rate of outfielders with power.

Burrell played mostly left field for the Phillies in their championship run last year, but figures to be the Rays full time DH in 2009. Burrell hit .250 with 33 homers, 33 doubles, 86 RBIs and 102 walks in 157 games in 2008. The increased pop will surely deepen an already explosive Rays lineup, although it remains to be seen how well Burrell hits against tough AL East pitching. Regardless of your thoughts on Burrell, the Rays are undoubtedly (on paper) an improved team after reaching the World Series last year.....

Projected Rays 2009 lineup:
1. A. Iwamura
2. B.J. Upton
3. C. Crawford
4. E. Longoria
5. C. Pena
6. P. Burrell
7. M. Joyce
8. D. Navarro
9. J. Bartlett

...I was hoping they would end up with a declining Jason Giambi....but it appears he'll be headed to Oakland.......The AL East will without a doubt be the best division in baseball (as usual), and incredibly fun to watch.....

.....a little less than a month until pitchers and catchers report......

ITM's 2009 Wish List

While most of red sox nation is trying to figure out how many beverages they consumed last night, ITM put together a quick wish list for some of the Red Sox members in 2009. While most of the list is merely wishful thinking, we expect all of you to read this, knock on some wood, take your hulk hogan vitamins, and pray that 25% of them come true.....

Josh Beckett: Get healthy, get in shape, revert back to the JB of 2007 and in a word: Dominate.

Jon Lester: Prove to the world that you're here to stay and establish yourself as one of the best lefties in the game. You'll see amazing money as a result.

Dice-K: Don't throw out your arm by tossing 30 innings in 4 games for Japan during the WBC. I'm impressed with the pride, but let's think long term here. I would be happy with a repeat of the 2008 season (minus about 100 walks).

Tim Wakefield: Continue to eat innings, stay healthy, and use Just For Men.

Brad Penny: Lose the beer gut and get back to your 2006/2007 form. Be a solid number 4 starter and reach those contract incentives.

Manny Delcarmen: Turn your flashes of brilliance into consistent play. Make Hyde Park proud.

Pap: You're a father now, don't go soft.....I expect more stupid quotes, strikeouts and dancing.

Tek: Turn back time....for a lot of reasons.....and teach the hell out of a young catcher who is yet to be acquired.

Ortiz: Less jewelry, more taters....and maybe a few new handshake routines with Pedroia.

Youk: Keep improving....Mark Teixeira is your new best friend (for the money you'll get) and your worst enemy (as a Yankee and fellow all-star first basemen).

Pedroia: Keep yelling ridiculous things at anyone and everyone (including Jerry Remy). Move into the team captain role as Tek continues to lose it. Is wishing for back to back MVP awards from someone who is 4'7" completely ridiculous?

Lowrie: Keep Lugo off the field by any means necessary: play flawless defense and hit over .200 (well, if we're wishing, hit over .300, but .200 and good defense will keep Lugo off the field)

Lugo: Be happy that you're ridiculously overpaid.

Lowell: Get healthy and show us all why we should have been happy keeping you all along. (hit .285 with 25 home runs and 100 rbi)

Jason Bay: Keep doing what you're doing and sign a long term deal to stay in Boston. Put up .300, 30 and 110 to keep this offense moving....and the pressure off of Theo to sign another bat.....and strike out less for god's sake.

Jacoby: No pressure...just make the appropriate adjustments and return to the Jacoby we saw in the 2007 playoffs....no pressure.

JD: Stay healthy so we don't have to use our non existent 4th outfielder too much. Become a back to back threat with Bay....and develop a personality so Pedroia can make fun of you more.

Theo: You're smarter than all of us, we trust you. Don't give us a reason to question that.

All that said, here's to a good 2009....one that is sure to keep ITM busy.

Tim Brown: Angels withdraw offer to Teixeira

According to Yahoo! Sport's Tim Brown, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have withdrawn their offer to free agent Mark Texieira. It was believed that the Halos were the next team in line to land the 28 year old first baseman once the Red Sox publicly walked away from the table late Friday night.

According to multiple sources, the Angels had an offer of around 160 million dollars for Teixeira's services over the next 8 years. Now it appears that the offer is no longer there....a source told Yahoo! Sports this afternoon that the Halos would not re-enter the bidding for Teixeira, whom they acquired from the Atlanta Braves at the trading deadline.

What happens now? Good question. Many sources are reporting that the Sox have not rescinded their offer completely, only stating that they are not willing to be pushed any further. Their offer is believed to be in the area of 170-180 million dollars over 8 years, Scot Boras has made it clear that as of right now, Teixeira is looking for 195 to 200 million (it must be nice to be fussing over 10-15 million in this economy).

ITM has continued to state that we expect Boston to still be an active part of the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes. Perhaps the Angel's actions this evening will drive Boras shamefully back into Boston's hands.....but something tells me he will give Brian Cashman a call first.....stay tuned.

Yanks in on the Teixeira sweepstakes as well?

Don't look now, but SI.com is reporting that the Yankees are currently printing more money in order to make a play on Mark Teixeira. It had been assumed by most that the Yankees were not in consideration for the best player still on the market given their focus on (and overpayment for) starting pitching. The Yanks have locked up CC Sabathia for 161 million and have offered Derek Lowe and Jason Burnett well over 15 million per year in long term deals as well. You would think with that kind of reckless spending the Yankees couldn't possibly afford Teixeira, much less outbid the Red Sox, Angels and others who are currently pursuing his services.....right?

With Hank in the big chair, never say never. According the the SI.com report, the Yankees "aren't about to concede Teixeira to the rival Red Sox or anyone else," As of now, there has been no word of a formal offer from the Yankees, but we all know how quickly things can change. It is also unclear if the Yankees are sincerely interested in landing the slugger, or if they are simply using the media and Scott Boras to drastically drive up Teixeira's price. Prior to this report, there had already been accusations that Scott Boras was using the media to exaggerate and inflate the "offers" on Teixeira....and now this.

A few months back Tex told the media that he would like to know where he'll be hitting taters next season by Christmas, so a decision over the next few weeks is likely. He has said he prefers the East Coast (he's a Maryland native), but more importantly, he wants to play for a team and ownership committed to winning. Well Boston is on the east coast, the last time I checked we've taken home two world series rings since 04' and this city is winning in every other sport imaginable (I even heard the Boston table tennis team is tops in the nation).....come to Titletown Tex....do it.

Sox make Tek an offer

I'm in the camp of don't trust Scott Boras as far as you can throw him, but if you believe him, the Sox have made an offer to their catcher and captain Jason Varitek. No real details are known at this point, but judging by Scott's choice of words, the Sox have made a significant offer.

“Certainly, Boston let us know they want him back,” said Boras.

I can't say this is all that surprising given that the Sox are running low on behind the plate options next year. In addition, the number of teams with sincere interest in Tek is dwindling. We all know what assuming does, but I'll go ahead and assume the Sox offered Tek a two year deal at an overpriced market rate.

....I'm still holding out hope that we can pull in a guy like Salty, or another young catcher Tek could mentor for a season or two, setting the Sox up for the future. Wishful thinking I assume.

Other ITM Sox Updates:

-I'll go ahead and assume another thing, Julio Lugo's name hasn't been mentioned by a team outside of the Red Sox this week.

- Word on the street in Vegas is that the Red Sox have contacted Youk and his agent in regards to a long term deal. Get out your check books.

- Another rumor heard around the strip is that Jason Bay is also looking to extend his stay in Boston beyond next year.....calling his move to Boston "invigorating".

All is quiet in Vegas

...never thought I'd ever use that phrase, but apparently, it is true. The first full day of the 2008 winter meetings is coming to a close and especially from a Red Sox standpoint, it has been quite uneventful.

Theo made a brief appearance and attempted to calm the story-starved Boston media by saying "prepare to be underwhelmed"....I can hear Mazz following up with a girlie-voiced question from here in Boston. Theo followed with "We're not really optimistic about our chances of getting anything done while we're here.l'' Sure it is Theo's job to keep any and all inside information just that...inside information, but it sure seems like the only deals coming out of these winter meetings may be small as groundwork for the larger deals is developed. It could all change quickly however...



ITM Winter Meetings update:

-Despite conflicting reports, it is understood that the Sox met with C.C. Sabthia today. This appears to be nothing but an opportunity for Boston to increase the price and pressure for the pudgy (can pudgy be giving this guy the benefit or what?). To be honest, I don't want Boston to pursue C.C.....at that price, with that body, and with the way he has been handle over the past two years (massive innings)...I'll stick with what we have and pursue a hitter or two.

-The Yankees also met with CC this morning, and reports coming out of the meeting indicate it went "great". Go for it NY, blow your load on this guy and then boo him when he shoulder falls off in June.

-Jake Peavey wants nothing to do with the AL...and why would he? If you were the best quarterback at a division 2 school, would you really want to come to division 1 and get hit?

-Julio Lugo couldn't get an offer from the Lowell spinners....the Sox are trying to move him, but there is simply no market. The only team the Sox were hoping to push him on, the Tigers, appear close to landing Adam Everret.

-Word on the street is Derek Lowe is drunk and walking around the Bellagio in a I heart Boston t-shirt.


More to come if/when it develops from Sin City.....

Source: Tek declines salary arbitration

According to a source close to Sox catcher Jason Varitek, Boston's captain will decline salary arbitration from the Red Sox tonight before the midnight deadline. I can't say I'm all that surprised, especially with super chooch Scott Boras as Tek's agent, but it may be a tough pill to swallow to see Tek if he ends up in another uniform next year.

By declining salary arbitration, Tek can openly enter the free agent market and take offers from other teams. While the demand for an aging catcher that hit .220 last year seems like it should be low, there are plenty of national league teams who wouldn't mind the low offensive output as Tek would bring veteran leadership so some of the young pitching staffs in the NL. Think about some of the terrible NL catchers out there, and then remember that 75% of Tek's value comes from his defense, leadership and uncanny game prep.

Tek can (and most likely will) continue to negotiate with the Red Sox going forward, but the only difference is now the Sox are no longer dealing with Tek exclusively.

Boras is convinced he can get a longer term deal for big money in return for Tek's services.....the winter meetings start in just a few hours...time will tell.

Coco on his way to Kansas City...

Red Sox centerfielder Coco Crisp has been traded to the Kansas City Royals for relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez according to MLB sources. Everyone assumed the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury meant the Sox would trade Crisp by the trade deadline this past season, thankfully that did not happen as Crisp played a vital role this season. When Ellsbury failed to live up to the hype Crisp was there to play, and he eventually took the starting job in the ALCS.

So what are the Sox getting in return? Ramirez is 27 years old and throws in the low 90's with a lights out curve and a good splitter. Last year with the Royals his era was 2.64 and he struck out 70 in 71.2 innings and only allowed two home runs the entire season, holding right handed hitters to a .153 average.

The question has been posed are the Sox looking to move Justin Masterson back into the starting rotation, or is Hernandez taking Mike Timlin's place who presumably is retiring. I think it's too early to say either way, but I do like this trade.

Lastly I'll say that Coco Crisp could have sat on the bench and complained all season about how he wasn't getting respect, but he did not. Coco showed a lot of class and respect for Francona and the organization by accepting his role as 4th outfielder never making playing time an issue.

Overall Crisp never turned into the lead off hitter the Sox thought they were getting from Cleveland, but I wish him well in Kansas City nonetheless, he was a class act.

ITM notes:

Unnamed sources, always the best kind, say that the Red Sox are in the race for former Blue Jay pitcher AJ Burnett. Of course no specifics about what kind of deal is actually on the table, the Yankees were reportedly offering 4 years $100 million.

Burnett definitely has the talent to be a good pitcher, however he's always had health issues and has only made more then 30 starts twice in his career, both contract years I believe.

Firing Up the Hot Stove

At the stroke of midnight tonight baseball's free agency begins, grab on to something because this will be an active off season. Players like CC Sabathia, Mark Texeria, Ben Sheets, Derek Lowe, AJ Burnett, and Jason Varitek are some of the bigger names available this off season.

I wouldn't expect any big name to be signed tomorrow, but I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again. Baseball agents tend to let the market establish itself in the off season before signing, clubs do the same.

We've already seen the first of many Scott Boras related stories, including one written write here on ITM. Look for him to be in the spot light as he represents just about every free agent there is, including Sox catcher Jason Varitek.

So what are the Red Sox plans for the off season? I think it starts behind home plate. I think they resign Jason Varitek, there is no way they give him the 4 year 52 million dollar contract Boras wants, but I think he comes back. I don't really have a problem with the Sox over paying for players because lets face it, they can afford it, but the length of Tek's potential contract could be a point of contention for both sides.

There's also been a lot of rumblings about the Sox talking to the Rangers about one of there three catchers, Gerald Laird, and youngsters Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Talyor Teagarden. Ideally I would like the Sox to sign Tek and trade for a Saltalmacchia or Teagarden, both of those names are fun to say and I would definitely buy their t-shirt jersey. However to get one of those guys the Sox would have to wave goodbye to Buchholz or Michael Bowden. But that's why you have prospects to improve your team and I think the Sox need a catcher of the future. Perhaps bringing him in now allows him to learn a thing or two (though not hitting) from Tek.

Mark Teixeria is priority 1A or 1B this off season, and its not all about the Yankees getting him, its more the Sox could really use him. Teixeria is 28 and absolutely rakes the ball, plays gold glove first base, and if signed here will have enough money to buy every fan a Fenway Frank this year. If the Sox do land Teixeria expect Youk to move back to third and Lowell to be dealt somewhere. Scott Boras also represents Teixeria so I wouldn't think he signs for a few weeks as the Yanks and Sox get in a bidding war.

Derek Lowe isn't coming back to Boston, I'm sorry he 36, loves the sauce and will probably get 15 million/year somewhere else. He wouldn't be a bad 4th or 5th option but I just can't see it. What I can see is the revival of the Derek Lowe face on center stage if he comes back. Since the Dlowe has left the sox culture has definitely changed, I don't need the Derek Lowe face coming back and keeping me up at night. Pro to Lowe coming back, I live near the city now and could possibly run into him and have a beer, or 19, with him.

The Yankees missed the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and that was the year of the strike (greedy bastards), they are going to spend US Govt bail out type of money, and like the bail out they will light plenty of it on fire and watch it burn. The Yanks will be going after Teixeria, Sabbathia, AJ Burnett, and Roger Clemens. Ok probably not Clemens but that would be funny.

Today the Yanks traded for Pedro Gomez's 2008 preseason MVP Nick Swisher...

The Angels have seemed to have cut ties with Krod, he's going to get PAID. He'll end up in with the Mets, that's your Tim Murphy Stone Cold Locke Lead Pipe Keystone Light A1 prediction, mark it zero, next frame.

And then there's a former Sox Slugger Manny Ramirez, yeah he's okay. Manny, also represented by Boras, is reportedly looking for a 6 year deal worth 25 million dollars per year. I would like to point out that 5 minutes after signing a deal like that Manny will never run out a ground ball again. Instead I imagine he'll tag in the bat boy and he'll run the bases for him, that's just Manny being Manny I guess.

The Dodgers seem serious about getting Manny back, however a 2 year deal is on the table with an option for the third. I don't see anyone giving Manny 4 years guaranteed...except the Yankees. Why because they're stupid rich, a dangerous combination. If the Yankees don't get Teixeria I think they sign Manny. I say let them, he'll probably bat 1100 against the Sox in 2009 but the potential for comedy with Manny and Hank Steinbrenner is off the charts.

Yes ITM is back, congrats to the Phillies for winning the World Series. Tampa fans can now go back to Disney World and playing bridge, whatever they did before the playoffs started.