Untitled Page

Boston Red Sox News

Report: Tigers nearly traded Curtis Granderson to Red Sox in 2009
February 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"Last season, Curtis Granderson peppered baseballs into the right-field seats of Yankee Stadium with ease. But if not for the Boston Red Sox balking at the Tigers asking price in 2009, Granderson very well could have been peppering balls off the left-field Green Monster at Fenway Park. The Wall Street Journal's Daniel Barbarisi reports that before the three-team deal that sent Granderson to the New York Yankees that offseason, the Red Sox were very much interested in Granderson's services."
David Ortiz resolution far from arbitrary
February 3
Boston Herald
 
"First things first: David Ortiz will play for the Red Sox this season. That much was guaranteed in December when Ortiz ended his free agency by accepting salary arbitration. The issue now, and perhaps at a hearing within the next two weeks, is how much he will get paid, and the difference of opinion is wider than a Billy Cundiff field goal attempt. Ortiz wants $16.5 million; the Red Sox are offering $12.65 million, less than a 2 percent raise from his average annual salary the past five years. The sides have been unable to compromise, and if they remain stalemated, each will make its argument to an independent three-person panel, which will choose either Big Papi's number or the team's."
Josh Beckett: 'What goes on in the clubhouse should stay in the clubhouse'
February 3
Boston Herald
 
"Josh Beckett has broken his silence. Nearly two weeks before Red Sox pitchers and catchers must report to Fort Myers, Beckett made his first public comments about the team's historic September collapse in an interview with MLB Network's "Intentional Talk," hosted by former Sox first baseman Kevin Millar. While fellow starters Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz have addressed the pitchers' habit of occasionally eating chicken and drinking beer in the clubhouse during games, Beckett explained he has been busy caring for his infant daughter, born at the end of the regular season. "I think the biggest key is what Lester said to the end that, we stunk on the field and that was the bottom line,""
Red Sox may not add starter
February 2
Boston Herald
 
"Eighteen days remain before Red Sox [team stats] pitchers and catchers must report to spring training, the club is "still talking" to free agent right-handers Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt, a major league source said yesterday. But general manager Ben Cherington said it's "unlikely" the Red Sox will sign either pitcher. "We wouldn't rule out adding a starter, but I think it's unlikely at this point," Cherington said last night at Worcester Tech High School before holding a town hall meeting that is scheduled to air tonight on NESN. "We're going to keep looking for ways to improve the team, including the pitching staff, but I wouldn't expect any major changes between now and the report"
Source: Roy Oswalt undecided
February 1
ESPN.com
 
"After indicating late Friday night that pitcher Roy Oswalt was signing with the St. Louis Cardinals "soon," the same major league source acknowledged Wednesday that Oswalt had not yet made a decision and that the Red Sox still "had a great chance" of signing him. In the interim, Oswalt also paid a visit to the Texas Rangers, so it appears that it remains a three-team contest among the Cardinals, Rangers and Red Sox. A Red Sox source confirmed Wednesday that the team had not abandoned hopes of signing Oswalt, indicating that the 34-year-old right-hander may have a better chance at a regular turn starting with the Sox than with the other two clubs, both of whom appear to have filled their"
Source: David Ortiz 'likely' to hearing
February 1
ESPN.com
 
"It appears "likely" that the Boston Red Sox and David Ortiz are headed to a hearing to decide his arbitration case, a major league source with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday. The source also said the hearing was not scheduled for this week, so there is still time to negotiate. If the sides do go to a hearing, it will be the team's first since Tim Wakefield in 2002. Hearings began Tuesday and continue through Feb. 17 in St. Petersburg, Fla. At the hearing, an independent arbitration panel would decide on Ortiz's 2012 salary, choosing between numbers submitted by the team and the player."
Sources: Playoff expansion has issues
February 1
ESPN.com
 
"Baseball commissioner Bud Selig continues to talk confidently about expanding the baseball playoff field in 2012. But sources tell ESPN.com efforts to make that happen remain bogged down, all because of one thorny little complication: the details. Wednesday was supposed to be the day the commissioner's office finished a proposed schedule for the 2012 postseason and shipped it to the players' association for consideration. But sources told ESPN.com that deadline wasn't going to be met -- not because talks have broken down, but because fitting two extra wild-card pieces into the postseason puzzle has proven to be more involved than the commissioner has been willing to acknowledge. The new"
Source: Sox 'out of the picture' on Jackson
February 1
ESPN Boston
 
"The Boston Red Sox have made an offer but are "most likely out of the picture" for Edwin Jackson, the top starting pitcher remaining on the free-agent market, because there are better deals on the table from other clubs, according to a baseball source. Boston's offer to Jackson was for one year and between $5 million and $6 million, according to the Boston Globe. Jackson has said from the get-go that he was seeking a multi-year deal. The Red Sox also appear to be on the outside in their hunt for free-agent pitcher Roy Oswalt, who reportedly prefers either the St. Louis Cardinals or Texas Rangers. A source late last week said he was close to a deal with the Cardinals."
Red Sox camp to sport new look
February 1
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox will have something besides a complex in Fort Myers that will be new this spring training. The existence of "competition" is also on tap, a concept in short supply in recent years for a team so usually well-stocked in veterans or proven young players. Battles for the shortstop position, the back end of the starting rotation, the middle of the bullpen, as well as for the regular right field job once left fielder Carl Crawford returns from elbow surgery, mean JetBlue [JBLU] Stadium may be the home to a little more spring training energy than usual for the Red Sox."
At hot stove, compensation on back burner
February 1
Boston Globe
 
"They were sitting near each other at last night's Hot Stove Cool Music panel discussion at Fenway Park's State Street Pavilion, but the general managers of the Red Sox and Cubs did not resolve the compensation issue that is now in the hands of the commissioner. When asked if there was a resolution in sight, the Cubs' Theo Epstein said, "Seems like it should be coming to an end sometime soon.''"
Red Sox offer Edwin Jackson one-year, $5-6M contract
February 1
Boston Globe
 
"Lots of buzz out there about the possibility that free-agent righty Edwin Jackson may accept a one-year deal with a contender to improve his value and go back into the free-agent market next season. Right now it doesn't look like Boston, That, of course could change. Jackson is a Scott Boras client and Boras recently did this with former Phillies closer Ryan Madson, signing him to a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds. Boras also signed third baseman Adrian Beltre for one year in Boston, before getting him a huge deal with the Texas Rangers. So signing a one-year deal when the market doesn't quite believe in you is not such a bad idea."
Source: Hearing increasingly likely for Ortiz, Red Sox
January 31
Foxsports.com
 
"The Boston Red Sox and David Ortiz remain far apart in talks about his 2012 contract, making a salary arbitration hearing increasingly likely, one major-league source told FOXSports.com. The sides have made little recent progress in negotiations, the source indicated, setting up what could be an uncomfortable hearing for the 36-year-old. Ortiz has been one of the most popular and productive Red Sox since joining the organization before the 2003 season. In a hearing – which has been tentatively scheduled for mid-February – he would listen to Red Sox representatives argue why he deserves a $12.65 million salary, rather than the $16.5 million he has requested."
Positive spin on rotation
January 31
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox rotation is good to go, general manager Ben Cherington said last night. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and some combination of Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves, Aaron Cook and Carlos Silva comprise the main contenders for starting roles. Of course, the team reserves the right to make improvements. "We're going to keep our eyes open and continue to talk to teams or free agents as things present themselves — I don't know if we'll do anything in the short term," Cherington said. "If there are ways to add to the rotation now, we'll do it now; if it's in spring training or in-season, we'll do it then. We don't feel a need to do anything now.""
Red Sox digital-only tickets take bite away from scalpers
January 31
Boston Herald
 
"This season, the Boston Red Sox will reserve the cheapest seats at certain Fenway games for "digital only" tickets — no paper tickets for scalpers to get hold of to jack up the prices. For 30 games, the $12 seats in the upper bleachers will be limited to digital tickets, which require the credit card used to purchase them to be scanned at the gate. "We're purposely holding seats at $12 to make them affordable," said Sox senior vice president of ticketing Ron Bumgarner. "But in the last several years we've noticed more and more of those tickets end up on the secondary market.""
Yanks take shot at Delcarmen
January 31
New York Post
 
"The Yankees signed former Red Sox righty Manny Delcarmen to a minor-league deal yesterday. The 29-year-old could add depth to their bullpen, but he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2010, when he spent time with the Red Sox and Rockies. Delcarmen pitched in a combined 26 Triple-A games a year ago for Texas and Seattle, going 3-2 with a 5.59 ERA. The Yankees also have shown interest in Bill Hall, who could get an invitation to spring training to compete for a utility role if the team doesn't bring back Eric Chavez. Hall hit .211 with two homers and 14 RBIs with the Giants and Astros a year ago."
Wakefield plays the waiting game
January 30
Florida Today
 
"Knuckleballers can never really know where their fluttering pitches will land. The idea is to get the ball close enough to the strike zone to entice the batter to swing. Sometimes the best they can do is hope. That's exactly the situation Brevard County's favorite knuckleballer finds himself in this morning; hoping, waiting. With each day that passes without a concrete offer from a big league club, Tim Wakefield inches closer to a conversation he'd rather not have just yet. "I just saw that (Jorge) Posada retired, you know it's something that my wife and I need to talk about," Wakefield said this week, taking a short break from organizing a weekend of fundraising events for the Space Coast"
Selig: No timeframe for solving Cubs-Red Sox compensation
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs and Red Sox have submitted written proposals – thought to include names of players – to commissioner Bid Selif in hopes of settling their dispute over compensation for Theo Epstein switching allegiance. "I'd like to get it done as expeditiously as possible," commissioner Bud Selig said Friday evening at SoxFest. Asked if it were fair for a third party to decide what talent ultimately switches teams, Selig replied: "That's the way baseball is set up. If the clubs can't solve their own disputes, then the commissioner does. After 20 years, I accept it as part of the job and don't really think too much about it." An obviously irritated Selig had told the Cubs and Red Sox several times"
Source: Sox sign RHP Maine
January 28
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox' quest for pitching depth continues. The Sox have signed right-hander John Maine to a minor league contract that does not include an invitation to spring training, according to a major league source. Maine has not pitched since 2010 thanks to shoulder surgery. The 30-year-old is 41-36 lifetime with a 4.35 ERA over seven seasons with the Orioles and Mets. Maine signed with the Rockies last season but never made it out of Triple A, going 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA in 11 starts for Colorado Springs. His best season came in 2007 with New York, when he went 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA. He memorably took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Marlins in the next-to-last game of that"
Selig expects two one-game playoffs for this fall
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Baseball appears ready for an extra round of wild-card playoffs by this fall, according to commissioner Bud Selig. "I really believe we'll have the (extra) wild card for this year," Selig said Friday at SoxFest. "Clubs really want it. I don't think I've ever seen an issue that the clubs want more than to have the extra wild card." The extra round would be one-game elimination in both the National and American Leagues to the teams who would have missed the playoffs as they are set up now. Some have argued for a best-of-three, but that appears impossible with the scheduled all but set for 2012."
Kevin Youkilis says team failed
January 27
Boston Herald
 
"Kevin Youkilis spent most of the winter in California, recovering from surgery to repair a sports hernia that sidelined him for the final two weeks of last season. But he couldn't escape the fallout from the Red Sox' epic September collapse. Youkilis, who held his annual fund-raiser last night at the State Room to benefit his children's charity, admitted the Sox' clubhouse "definitely didn't have the best vibe" for stretches of last season. But the third baseman also compared the ensuing chaos, including reports about the discord that painted him as a selfish malcontent, as a "witch hunt.""
Sox interested in righty Edwin Jackson
January 26
Boston Herald
 
"At this point, less than a month before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Red Sox are more likely to address their starting rotation needs through free agency than via a trade, according to a major league source. One potential solution: Edwin Jackson. Jackson, a free agent right-hander, is mulling "a variety of options," agent Scott Boras said by phone yesterday, and may reach a decision by week's end. Boras declined to confirm a tweet from ESPN.com's Jim Bowden that the Sox have made an offer, but indications are Jackson may be amenable to a one-year contract after initially seeking a multiyear deal."
Red Sox like Oswalt, but does he like them?
January 25
CBSSports.com
 
"The Red Sox like Roy Oswalt. But is the feeling mutual? The Sox, sources say, have made a significant offer to the free-agent right-hander. Oswalt has yet to accept, raising some doubt about his interest in going to Boston. Oswalt already told the Tigers he wasn't interested in going to Detroit, sources said, and even a recruiting phone call from Justin Verlander didn't sway him. While he may not have given the Red Sox as definite a "no," it is thought that he would prefer teams closer to his home state of Mississippi."
MLB allows retired Tony La Russa to manage in All-Star game against Ron Washington
January 25
Dallas Morning News
 
"Tony La Russa will come out of retirement to manage the National League team for the July 10 All-Star Game at Kansas City. La Russa will go against Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington, who will handle the American League team for the second consecutive season. La Russa retired shortly after St. Louis defeated the Rangers in the seven-game World Series."
Sizable barrier cleared
January 25
Boston Herald
 
"With his nine-year, $214 million contract with the out-of-nowhere Tigers yesterday, Prince Fielder became the last big-name talent to come off the free agent board this winter. It could also turn out to be the last obstacle remaining that has kept the Red Sox from finishing up their own offseason shopping list. Teams such as the Nationals, Rangers, Orioles and the supposed mystery team that lost out on the Fielder sweepstakes are now free to spend — or bank — the funds they had targeted for the husky first baseman."
Free agent Roy Oswalt turns down Tigers
January 24
CSN Philly
 
"Roy Oswalt continues to wait. According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via HardballTalk) Roy Oswalt "did not want to go to Detroit" to play for the Tigers. The Detroit Tigers were "very interested" in Oswalt, even going as far as to have ace Justin Verlander call Oswalt, said Knobler. Presumably, Oswalt is waiting for the call from the Boston Red Sox."
Cody Ross says hello, Red Sox fans
January 24
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox have not yet announced their deal with Cody Ross. But Ross is a member of the team as far as he's concerned. His Twitter feed certainly left no doubt."
Still in search of next Nomar
January 23
Boston Herald
 
"If you had to pick a position on the field to build a team around, shortstop is where most would start. Unless you're the Red Sox. Then it's more of an afterthought. The kryptonite Nomar Garciaparra left behind when he was traded in mid-2004 has lost none of its potency in 71/2 years. Saturday night's trade of shortstop Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies for $6 million in salary relief — and, don't forget, pitcher Clayton Mortensen — once again put the spotlight on the Sox' curiously consistent inability to groom Nomar's heir."
Red Sox avoid arbitration with Daniel Bard at $1.6125M
January 22
Hardball Talk
 
"The Red Sox avoided salary arbitration on Saturday night with right-hander Daniel Bard by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $1.6125 million. This according to MLB.com beat writer Ian Browne. Bard requested $1.825 million and was offered $1.4 million when arbitration figures were exchanged on Tuesday. It took less than a week for his agent and the Red Sox front office to find a middle ground."
Deal revived, Rockies acquire 2B Marco Scutaro from Red Sox
January 22
Denver Post
 
"The Rockies have completed a deal to acquire Boston infielder Marco Scutaro for pitcher Clayton Mortensen. The Rockies' earmarked Scutaro as a target when the offseason began, seeing him as a starting second baseman and potential No. 2 hitter in the lineup. The deal went on life support Friday, but was revived today when the Rockies were able to work through some financial issues to take on Scutaro's $6 million contract. Scutaro, 36, batted a career-high .299 with seven home runs, 54 RBIs and .358 on-base percentage last season. He projected as the Red Sox's starting shortstop, but Boston has been looking to move money to make a run at free agent starter Roy Oswalt, while staying under the"
Sox swap Scutaro ... for Oswalt?
January 22
ESPN.com
 
"Here is the question Boston Red Sox fans should be asking themselves: Would you trade Marco Scutaro straight up for Roy Oswalt? My guess is that many of you would say yes. I'm inclined to join you, and soon -- perhaps within days -- it will be clear that Ben Cherington agrees with you. That was what Saturday night's trade of Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies was all about. Just a couple of days ago, Cherington mentioned that he considered exercising Scutaro's $6 million option for the 2012 season a "significant acquisition," likening the late-October decision to signing a free agent. Now, a couple of months later, Cherington has decided that money will be better spent elsewhere. He shipped"
Salary dump sends Scutaro to Rockies
January 22
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox lost a shortstop, but gained nearly $6 million to put toward other needs last night, trading Marco Scutaro to the Colorado Rockies. Right-hander Clayton Mortensen was the return for Scutaro, but the real intrigue is what the Red Sox next move will be with all that cash in hand. The trade for the 26-year-old was made purely for salary relief purposes, according to a source with knowledge of the talks."
Marco Scutaro trade brings "winning player" to Colorado Rockies
January 22
Denver Post
 
"On second thought, Marco Scutaro will fit just fine at second base. The Rockies' relentless pursuit of a veteran to fill the middle infield spot ended Saturday when they acquired Scutaro from the Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Clayton Mortensen. "He fits in well. He's another guy with a slow heartbeat that is a winning player," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. After aggressively pursuing Scutaro for weeks, the trade, reduced to a faint pulse Friday, revived Saturday after financial hurdles were cleared. Once Rockies ownership approved absorbing Scutaro's $6 million contract, it was only a matter of finding a starting pitcher that Boston would accept."
Red Sox still searching
January 21
Boston Herald
 
"Just because the Red Sox have not been able to bring in another starter on a major league deal does not mean they have abandoned hope of doing so. That is why they are still maintaining contact with the agent for free agent starter Roy Oswalt, an alluring remedy for the club's starting pitching blues. Oswalt may be amenable to a one-year deal worth roughly $8 million. The fact the Red Sox have not yet made a bold run to lock up Oswalt at that price could be a sign of how close the team is to breaking the $178 million luxury tax threshold. That could help explain why word spread from the Rocky Mountains yesterday that the Rockies and the Red Sox had spoken about a deal to send shortstop"
David Ortiz will be ready to take on Sox in arbitration
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"David Ortiz has never gone through the arbitration process, but he isn't shirking from the possibility of going to a hearing with the Red Sox if the sides can't agree on his 2012 salary by next month. "I guess that's part of the game," Ortiz said last night from the Boston Baseball Writers' dinner at the Westin Copley. "I guess from the business standpoint that's how it goes, right?" Ortiz ended his free agency in December by accepting the Sox' offer of arbitration, a decision that assured he will return for a 10th season with the club. But when the sides exchanged salary figures this week, there was a nearly $4 million gap."
Ben Cherington defends Carl Crawford diagnosis
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"Three days after Carl Crawford underwent surgery on his left wrist, likely causing him to miss Opening Day, the question remains: Could the left fielder have had the procedure sooner? Not likely, according to Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington. Cherington said Crawford's wrist was "asymptomatic" when the season ended, so there was no reason for the Sox' medical staff to recommend surgery. It wasn't until Crawford resumed hitting two weeks ago that he felt more discomfort in his wrist."
Red Sox unfazed by taxing offseason
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"There's a definite deja vu all over again feel to the 2012 Red Sox. Even though the 2011 Red Sox essentially lost a wheel, suspension system and hydraulic fluid as they careened from guardrail to guardrail last September, the old ballclub has been patched back together for another go this year. The chief engineer (Theo Epstein) and the top mechanic (Terry Francona) have been replaced by Ben Cherington and Bobby Valentine, respectively, and the last guy standing, closer Jonathan Papelbon [stats], is gone, replaced by Andrew Bailey. Other than that, Red Sox fans will have no problem recognizing this squad."
Questions strike '12
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"Boston's annual baseball writers' dinner is always dropped neatly into the dead of winter, bringing the time-honored and always reliable Hot Stove to an otherwise cold January night. The unspoken theme of the dinner, in most years, is optimism. Regardless of how the Red Sox performed during the previous season, the hardball scribes' annual party is an unofficial cleaning of the slate. It's also an occasion to celebrate individual excellence, such as former Yale catcher Ryan Lavarnway, on hand last night to receive the Greg Montalbano Award as the Sox' minor league player of the year."
Theo Epstein compensation close
January 19
Boston Herald
 
"The long, national nightmare known as the Theo Epstein compensation talks finally might be coming to an end. According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Red Sox and Cubs have asked commissioner Bud Selig to step in and settle the issue, since the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement during the past 21/2 months. At issue is what the Red Sox will receive for freeing Epstein from the final year of his contract so he could leave to become president of baseball operations with the Cubs."
Cubs, Red Sox want Bud Selig to set compensation for Theo Epstein
January 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The compensation headache over Theo Epstein's move from the Boston Red Sox to the Cubs is officially Bud Selig's problem, turning a minor embarrassment for the Cubs into a potential precedent-setting action for Major League Baseball. Multiple sources told the Sun-Times that the Cubs and Red Sox have requested that their nearly three-month stalemate be resolved by the commissioner, a move apparently initiated by Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino late last month, one source said."
Wrist surgery sidelines Carl Crawford
January 18
Boston Herald
 
"Carl Crawford slammed the door on 2011 the best way he knew how — by ramping up his offseason workouts. But it turns out 2011's not quite done with him yet. Just days into intensified hitting sessions that started around New Year's, Crawford felt soreness in his left wrist typically associated with the end of a long season. A doctor's visit last week and ensuing MRI revealed cartilage damage, and yesterday Crawford underwent surgery in Arizona. He'll likely be sidelined for the start of the season. It was exactly the kind of news Crawford didn't need to hear, though the silver lining, if you can call it that, is the timing. At least Crawford has a shot to be ready for Opening Day, whereas"
Ellsbury back in fold, Ortiz still on hold
January 18
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox were 1-for-2 with their big arbitration candidates yesterday. First, they signed Jacoby Ellsbury to a one-year, $8.05 million deal that justifiably more than triples their all-everything center fielder's salary. Then, they failed to reach an agreement with designated hitter David Ortiz [stats], who didn't mess around when it came time to exchange figures with the team. According to CBS Sports, Ortiz asked for $16.5 million, while the Sox countered with just a modest raise from last year's $12.5 million salary to $12.65 million. Hearings don't begin until Feb.?1, and the sides are free to continue negotiating until then, but the gulf between them certainly suggests they'll have"
Wrist surgery for Carl Crawford
January 17
Boston Globe
 
"Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford had surgery on his left wrist in Arizona today. GM Ben Cherington said Crawford should be recovered to play "the bulk" of the season. The surgery was done in Arizona by Dr. Donald Sheridan. It was Sheridan to operated on Crawford in 2008 to fix a tendon issue in his right hand. Crawford felt soreness when he started his offseason hitting workouts around Jan. 1. He had an MRI that showed cartilage damage and arthroscopic surgery was recommended. Crawford has had wrist issues in the past but the discomfort had always passed. Having such pain at this time of the year was a red flag."
Sox agree on $8m deal with Ellsbury
January 17
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox announced today that they have reached one-year deals with Jacoby Ellsbury and infielder Mike Aviles. According to a major league source, Ellsbury will earn $8.05 million, while Aviles will get $1.2 million. That leaves four players without contracts: Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard, Andrew Bailey and David Ortiz. If the team and players can't reach an agreement shortly, they'll exchange arbitration figures this afternoon. But they'll remain able to negotiate until a hearing. Hearings begin on Feb. 1."
Ellsbury, Papi in line for healthy raises
January 17
Boston Herald
 
"The deadline for teams and players to exchange arbitration figures is today, and the Red Sox should prepare for a couple of cases of sticker shock. David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury are among the eight Sox who remain eligible for arbitration, and both are coming off All-Star seasons, which should lead to considerable raises. It should be noted that today's deadline merely is to exchange figures. The two sides can continue negotiating before hearings take place in February. Under previous general manager Theo Epstein, the Red Sox did not take a single case before an arbitrator in nine years. New GM Ben Cherington no doubt would like that streak to continue."
Saltalamacchia, Sox agree to $2.5m deal
January 16
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox chopped into their long list of unsigned players yesterday when catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia agreed to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. Saltalamacchia hit .235 last season with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs. He ranked third among American League catchers with a .452 slugging percentage and fourth with a .741 OPS. He also threw out 28 runners attempting to steal, the most for a Sox catcher since 2002."
Yankees forcing Sox to make pitch
January 16
Boston Herald
 
"It's your move, Red Sox. Three nights ago — on Friday the 13th, no less — the New York Yankees rose from their hibernation by trading prized slugger Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners for power-armed right-hander Michael Pineda, who turns 23 this week and was an All-Star as a rookie last season. Then, they signed free agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda to a one-year, $10 million contract. With two swift strokes, general manager Brian Cashman turned the Yankees' primary weakness — a lack of proven starting pitching — into a strength. Suddenly, they have six starters behind ace CC Sabathia (Pineda, Kuroda, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes, A.J. Burnett and Freddy Garcia), with prospects Dellin"
Red Sox have few roster battles
January 15
Boston Herald
 
"Pitchers and catchers don't report for another month, but the Red Sox roster has already pretty much taken shape. Barring an increasingly unlikely move for a legit free agent starter such as Roy Oswalt or Joe Saunders, the Red Sox appear to have the team they'll take into Fort Myers next month. So what does the roster look like? Here's a position-by-position examination, based on the assumption that the team will break camp with 12 pitchers and 13 position players. •???Catchers (2): Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Kelly Shoppach •???On the bubble: Ryan Lavarnway •???The skinny: While the Sox haven't slammed the door on Jason Varitek's return, they don't appear to be pining for their longtime"
Skipper speaks with Carl Crawford
January 15
Boston Herald
 
"Bobby Valentine finally had his conversation with Carl Crawford. It happened last week, by phone and with both Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington and Crawford's agent, Brian Peters, on the line. Crawford hadn't answered messages from Valentine and reportedly was irritated by comments the new Red Sox manager made last year while an ESPN analyst. Valentine questioned Crawford's open batting stance and other issues. "He sounded good," said Valentine, a guest at the annual New Stars for Young Stars charity event to benefit the Jimmy Fund yesterday at Jillian's. "He seemed very determined and understanding of the fact that things got spinning a little fast for him last year in a new"
Is Varitek in line for an invitation?
January 14
Boston Globe
 
"It is awkward for both sides. Clearly the Red Sox have moved on from Jason Varitek as their primary catching option. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is entrenched as the No. 1 catcher and the team signed veteran Kelly Shoppach in December and rookie Ryan Lavarnway is knocking on the door. In response to a tweet by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that the team was offering Varitek a spring training invitation as a non-roster player, Sox general manager Ben Cherington texted he has not yet made a formal offer of any kind to the 39-year-old - although Sox sources indicate that likely will be the scenario. Cherington and agent Scott Boras have been in contact all winter on Varitek and Jacoby Ellsbury, who"