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Eye Toward October: Sept. 3

Andrew JohnsonPosted Sep 3rd 2008 7:00AM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, Rockies, MLB Injuries

With the playoff chase coming down to the wire, our MLB editor rounds up the five biggest pennant race stories in Eye Toward October.

- Champs Getting Stronger: The Red Sox have suddenly opened up a sizable four-game edge in the wild-card race after winning Tuesday while the White Sox and Twins lost. The news gets even better when you consider that Mike Lowell and Josh Beckett are set to return on Friday, with J.D. Drew and pitcher Bartolo Colon possibly returning next week.

It's easy to compare the 2008 Sox to the last Boston team that defended a title. Like this year's version, the 2005 team was ravaged by injuries to key players. There's one major difference, though, and that's the depth in the organization. GM Theo Epstein's vision of making the Red Sox a nine-figure player development machine has bloomed fully, and because of it Boston has a very real chance to repeat.

Their minor league system is among the most robust in the game, far different from the Dan Duquette era, and it's enabled the Red Sox to plug many of the holes they've had over the course of a trying season.

When Julio Lugo went down, Jed Lowrie came up and improved the team. When the team needed a spot starter for Josh Beckett, they turned to pitching prospect Michael Bowden. When the team needed another outfielder because of Drew's injury, they were able to deal a prospect with good upside for Mark Kotsay because of their minor league depth.
Continue Reading Eye Toward October: Sept. 3

Ruh-Roh: Josh Beckett Headed to See the Good Doctor Andrews

Will BrinsonPosted Aug 28th 2008 7:45PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, AL East


The Boston Red Sox believe they can win the World Series again this year, despite a four game deficit to the Tampa Bay Rays and a slim lead in the AL Wild Card race. Hence, their trade for Mark Kotsay.

Of course, part of those postseason plans probably don't include not having Josh Beckett. Which might be a legitimate scenario, as the Sawx ace didn't receive any good injury news today.
Following manager Terry Francona's postgame press conference in the wake of a 3-2 Sox loss at Yankee Stadium, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein announced today that Josh Beckett has been scratched from tomorrow's scheduled start in order to visit with renowned specialist James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama.

Translation: Start worrying again.
Uh yeah. That seems like a safe prognostication. Epstein mentioned something about Beckett's elbow not being "100%", which also seems reasonable, since he's headed to see Andrews.

I know we've all seen plenty of heroically styled September and October behavior from the Red Sox over the past few years, but in all honesty, if the Sox lose Beckett for the season -- not too far-fetched an idea with DJA involved -- I think we can all go ahead and call of any more Beantown celebrations.

Winners and Losers of Draft Signing Day

Andrew JohnsonPosted Aug 17th 2008 7:28PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Mariners, Nationals, Pirates, Red Sox, Royals, Yankees, MLB Biz, MLB Draft, MLB Transactions



To fans and the media, what a team does in the MLB Draft pales next to a big free-agent signing or blockbuster trade.

Part of that is the gaudy figures thrown around during the hot stove season. The Red Sox, this year's top spender in the draft, couldn't even buy one year of Gil Meche if they shifted their draft outlay to the open market. Most of it stems from immediacy, though. A big winter signing answers the question who will help me today? A big haul in the draft answers who will help me tomorrow, but in most cases tomorrow is years away, if it ever comes at all.

Still, as the cost of free agents escalates, the draft continues to become the most important way to ensure long-term success. With that in mind, and with the deadline to sign picks in the books, here's a look at three teams who won and three teams who lost in the 2008 draft
Continue Reading Winners and Losers of Draft Signing Day

Manny Wouldn't Mind Being a Marlin

Tom FornelliPosted Jul 31st 2008 12:57PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Marlins, Pirates, Red Sox, MLB Rumors, MLB Transactions

While I'm still having a hard time believing that the Red Sox would deal Manny Ramirez, after his latest comments, it seems that neither side has any real choice in the matter. While the Manny to the Marlins rumor I wrote about yesterday still doesn't work for me, I'm not the general manager of the Red Sox, and my opinion means nothing.

You know whose opinion does matter, though? Manny Ramirez's. After all, he'd have to approve of any deal before the Sawx can make it, and Theo Epstein doesn't have to worry about Manny blocking any trade to Miami. He's already approved it.
Embattled Red Sox superstar Manny Ramirez has agreed to be traded to the Marlins, SI.com has learned, but a deal has not been reached.

While the Red Sox, Marlins and Pirates are still negotiating details of the three-way mega-deal and nothing has been finalized by the teams, one major hurdle has been cleared by Ramirez accepting the deal ahead of time, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

The Red Sox approached Ramirez in advance of their negotiations, and got his OK. He signed off on the paperwork, contingent upon the two $20-million team options for 2009 and '10 being dropped. The move will set the stage for Ramirez to become a free agent this winter, assuming a trade can be completed by the three teams.
Obviously, if this deal happens it means the Red Sox will likely end up with Jason Bay playing left field, which would help offset the loss of Manny's offense. As hard as it is for me to believe all of this, I'm starting to think it's really going to happen.

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 31

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 31st 2008 12:41PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Athletics, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Pirates, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Twins, White Sox, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The Red Sox, Marlins and Pirates are indeed working on a three-way deal that would send Manny Ramirez to South Florida, Jeremy Hermida and prospects to Pittsburgh and Jason Bay (and possibly reliever John Grabow) to Boston. The trade is still a long way from being completed, however, with the teams expected to haggle right up to the deadline on the prospects heading to the Pirates. The deal is fragile because it involves three teams and prospects from both Florida and Boston, so it could go right down to the wire, and there's always a chance the deal collapses.

But there is also a different feeling in Boston this time around with Ramirez, much like the feeling in 2004 when GM Theo Epstein swallowed hard and got rid of the beloved Nomar Garciaparra. If the three-way deal with the Pirates collapses, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the Red Sox would then deal directly with the Marlins. And remember this: while the Red Sox would love to have Manny Ramirez in their lineup in October, it won't be as difficult as you'd think to replace his production over the final two months of the season because he is so poor defensively.

- GM Kenny Williams has already added future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox's roster, but he might not be done. With Scott Linebrink on the DL and closer Bobby Jenks just off of it, Chicago is looking for bullpen depth. Williams and the White Sox have been connected with Oakland closer Huston Street for a few weeks now, and there are indications from the Windy City that he'll make a final push to acquire him before the 4PM ET deadline. Eamonn Brennan has already covered the Nick Swisher-Street swap speculation already at FanHouse and correctly assumes that a deal is unlikely.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 31

The Sox Must Really Like Will Ohman's Harry Carey Impersonation

Will BrinsonPosted Jul 31st 2008 12:30PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Braves, Red Sox, MLB Rumors

Word on the street is that the Boston Red Sox are quite interested in Braves middle reliever/could be setup guy/ Harry Carey impersonator Will Ohman. Well, either that or Daniel Bard slept with Theo Epstein's ladyfriend.

Bard, a former first round pick and teammate of Andrew Miller's at Carolina (boo), is almost certainly headed out of Boston today. One scenario has him rolling to the ATL, or Mississippi as it were.
Besides the Red Sox, five other teams are discussing Ohman with the Braves, who are looking for a pitching prospect in return. A logical name that might surface in trade talks with Atlanta from the Red Sox farm system is Double-A pitcher Daniel Bard, who is 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA in 37 2/3 innings pitched for the Sea Dogs this season.
Of course, the other scenario is the increasingly likely Manny Ramirez Three Way (ew) deal between Pittsburgh, Boston and Florida. That freaky deal between such unlikely suitors would end up sending Bard to Pittsburgh in a package that would swap out Jason Bay and ManRam.

The Ohman deal sounds pretty freaking good for the Braves -- the middle reliever is a free agent after this year anyway, and it's unlikely the Braves would actually retain him. So picking up a pitcher of Bard's potential would be a nice follow up to the Teixeira debacle trade by Frank Wren (I'm sorry, I just feel like they could have gotten more).

Wren might be putting the press on Beane, and he should, but the problem that moving Manny is the first priority will likely remain until later in the afternoon.

Manny Ramirez Says the Red Sox 'Don't Deserve Me' and Punches Ticket Out of Town

Will BrinsonPosted Jul 30th 2008 10:30PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Marlins, Red Sox, MLB Gossip, MLB Rumors

The Manny Ramirez Will He or Won't He Get Traded Saga, which has reached such ridiculous proportions that people were discussing a swap of ManRam and Brett Favre (please? pretty please?) was taken to a whole new level on Wednesday evening.

Ramirez has always had the "Manny Being Manny" card played for him (he doesn't actually play it himself) but given the latest shots he took at the Boston Red Sox organization that refuses to satisfy his contract demands, it's hard to imagine anyone taking this with an aloof grin and head shake.
"During my years here I've seen how they [the Red Sox] have mistreated other great players when they didn't want them to try to turn the fans against them," Ramirez said in an interview with ESPNdeportes.com

"The Red Sox did the same with guys like Nomar Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez, and now they do the same with me. Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy," Ramirez added. "I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me. I'm not talking about money. Mental peace has no price and I don't have peace here."
Yeah, so, that's reasonably awkward. It also means that Theo Epstein has about 18 hours to deal him. Which might mean less than full value. We know he's not going to Philadelphia and while the Florida deal (Josh Willingham or Jeremy Hermida)seemed a little strange ... well suddenly it has caterpillar legs.
Continue Reading Manny Ramirez Says the Red Sox 'Don't Deserve Me' and Punches Ticket Out of Town

Manny a Marlin?

Tom FornelliPosted Jul 30th 2008 5:32PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Marlins, Red Sox, MLB Rumors

While I don't think the Red Sox are seriously considering trading Manny Ramirez anywhere, the fact they've come out and said they would think about it has been more than enough for teams to come calling. There have been rumors that the Red Sox are having conversation with the Phillies, Dodgers, and most surprising of all, the Florida Marlins.

Considering that the Marlins spent the last off season shipping Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis north to Detroit instead of paying them, it's somewhat surprising that they would want to add Manny's contract to their payroll, but according to Ken Rosenthal the idea isn't that crazy.
Manny to the Marlins? The idea, first reported by SI.com, is not as wacky as it sounds.

The chances of the Red Sox trading Manny Ramirez remain slim, but executives from at least one rival club in touch with Boston are convinced that the Sox are intent on purging their left fielder.

Continue Reading Manny a Marlin?

Rumor Mill Roundup: July 29

Andrew JohnsonPosted Jul 29th 2008 9:21PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Blue Jays, Braves, Dodgers, Mariners, Phillies, Red Sox, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, Twins, Yankees, MLB Rumors

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- Mark Teixeira is off the board, leaving a bunch of lesser players in the rumor mill. The best non-Teixeira rumors continue to surround Manny Ramirez, despite the fact that he is unlikely to be moved before the July 31 deadline. The Red Sox might be more reticent than ever to deal Ramirez with Teixeira off the table. He was the most obvious replacement for Ramirez's production (with Kevin Youkilis moving to left field in a potential deal). But Boston seems so fed up with the slugger it might move him anyway. So the question is, where?


The Dodgers have moved to the front of the line for Ramirez, offering an outfielder in return -- believed to be either Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier and perhaps prospects. When Teixeira was still available, it was believed they would spin those players to Atlanta for the first basemen, but the Red Sox could hold onto someone like Kemp, who could equal Ramirez's value when you account for defense. The Diamondbacks are unlikely to make a move for Ramirez, especially considering GM Josh Byrnes' familiarity with the slugger (he worked under Theo Epstein in Boston). Ditto for the Phillies. The Mets are very difficult to read, with the team claiming they have no interest and media reports saying otherwise.

- The Royals could infuse some late life into the outfield market if they decide to make Jose Guillen available. Guillen signed a three-year, $36 million deal with Kansas City this winter, but there are rumors that he's unhappy with manager Trey Hillman. Guillen has denied the reports, but he is not known as a great clubhouse guy and he had a very public and messy feud with Mike Scioscia in his last days with the Angels. On the other hand, he is only 32 and is still productive. After hitting .183 in April, Guillen has hit .288 since.
Continue Reading Rumor Mill Roundup: July 29

Would the Red Sox Trade Manny Ramirez?

Pat LackeyPosted Jul 26th 2008 5:45PM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Rumors

Every year for seemingly the last five years, the Red Sox have hinted at their willingness to trade Manny Ramirez. Given Manny's huge contract, goofy antics, and ability to crush the ball, the rumors never seem that serious. With Manny's monster contract running out after this year and Manny missing games for a mysterious knee ailment, suddenly things seem awfully serious.

Today in the Boston Globe, Dan Shaughnessy published a story that seemed to indicate that the Red Sox were finally growing tired for Manny's shenanigans. That in itself isn't really noteworthy, but it is in conjunction with some statements made by Theo Epstein through Tim McCarver during this afternoon's FOX broadcast. Prior to the game, Epstein told McCarver that he'd be willing to trade Manny if Ramirez was willing to waive his no-trade clause, then pointedly told McCarver that he could repeat that rumor on the air. It sounds to me like Epstein wants people to know that he's serious about trading Manny this time around.

With Manny's deal up and the Sox interested in getting him out of town, there would certainly be some interested parties (the Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals and maybe the Astros if Ed Wade is feeling particularly crazy all quickly come to mind). The key for the Red Sox would be finding a quick replacement. The Pirates will certainly be listening to offers for Jason Bay and the Sox have enough prospects to work something out there. The Braves are shopping Mark Teixeira, who could bump Kevin Youkilis to left field. It would be a lot of work for Esptein to pull off in five days, but it seems like he just might be serious about getting rid of Manny this time around.
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