Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Losing out on DeRosa has Reds looking elsewhere

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June 29

Foxsports.com

"Cubs fans aren't done lamenting the fact that onetime North Side favorite Mark DeRosa was traded from Cleveland to rival St. Louis on Saturday night. Here's my advice to them: Drop it. Another team in the National League Central had an even greater need for DeRosa — and I'm not talking about the Cardinals. The most disappointed team after the deal was probably in the visiting clubhouse during this weekend's Buckeye Series at Progressive Field. Yes, the Cincinnati Reds wanted Mark DeRosa in the worst way. And on Sunday, two industry sources said the Reds are still very much engaged in their search for right-handed hitting. The Reds have left-handed power, with young sluggers Joey Votto and ..."

Sox may not wait long on Bay

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June 28

Boston Globe

"Although Jason Bay has reached the stage where he no longer sees a reason to discuss his contract status, the Red Sox have every intention of revisiting talks with the outfielder before the end of the season, a baseball source has confirmed. Prior to yesterday's game, Bay said he has "gotten to the point where I'm just not going to talk about it'' when asked about impending free agency. But with the All-Star break approaching, the Red Sox could very well use that opportunity to try to strike a long-term deal. The Sox have negotiated contracts during the season with other players, most notably Josh Beckett and David Ortiz. The All-Star break typically provides a good opportunity for such ..."

Lugo's time remaining may be short

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June 28

Boston Globe

"There is resignation on the part of Julio Lugo. There is clear unhappiness - though rarely seen - at a situation that has spiraled downward since the signing of a four-year, $36 million contract before the 2007 season, a high point in a relationship between player and team that has been mismatched at best. But there also appears to be detente on the horizon. Jed Lowrie will return, though it could take until the All-Star break, and at that point a decision will be made. That certainly could be the end of the Lugo era in Boston, and the shortstop would be foolish not to prepare for the possibility of being released. The Sox would be on the hook for his salary, and he could be signed by any ..."

Lowell may get injection for hip pain

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June 27

Boston Globe

"Asked if he might go on the disabled list with tightness in his hip, Mike Lowell considered the question and said, "I don't know. I hope not.'' Lowell is likely to have an injection of Synvisc, a lubricant that is supposed to ease pain. Lowell might get the injection Monday in Boston. It would result in him being out about 24 hours post-injection. As for Lowell sitting all three games in Atlanta, manager Terry Francona said, "I really don't know, we'll see.'' That would make sense with the logjam the Red Sox have playing in a National League park. Lowell did not play last night. "We had talked about [the injection] briefly before, doing it on the offday,'' Lowell said. "But I think it was ..."

Ten ball clubs that can add payroll

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June 22

SI.com

"Baseball is doing better than most businesses. But you know something's amiss when even the Yankees are claiming they can't add salary or expand their payroll. Ultimately, the $200 million team just might find a few mil in the seat cushions. But for now anyway, they're saying they are tapped out. The same may be true for the Cubs, yet another storied big-market club that may not spend this summer. The Cubs' situation could be compromised by the glacial pace of the team's sale. At present, their player dealings appear to be in the same sort of limbo as the sale, meaning their big in-season acquisition may be limited to recovering star Aramis Ramirez. The Rangers also are believed to have ..."

Boston Red Sox look for stability at shortstop

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June 21

Chicago Tribune

columnist Phil Rogers

"No position is more important than the one in the middle of the infield. Yet shortstop has been a revolving door for the Boston Red Sox during their six-year run as baseball's strongest team. They have more pitchers than they need this season, and Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis and Mike Lowell are providing the run production that for so long came from David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. But manager Terry Francona continues to tinker at shortstop. He has used 18 players there since the 2004 season, when Nomar Garciaparra was traded to the Cubs. Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Alex Gonzalez and Julio Lugo have taken turns as the primary shortstop, with the homegrown Jed Lowrie flashing the potential ..."

Red Sox want rotation depth, will keep Penny

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June 20

ESPN.com

"Be realistic. Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard probably won't be tradeable before Aug. 1. Drayton McLane is not moving Roy Oswalt. Jarrod Washburn could probably be had, and would be a good pickup for a National League team with a big ballpark (cue Dodgers, Mets and Giants). And that's about it. Oh, Brad Penny would probably be the best starting pitcher out there, but unless someone comes up with a Justin Smoak, Matt LaPorta or Brett Wallace -- which isn't going to happen -- they are going to hold onto Penny, who is two years removed from finishing third in the NL Cy Young race. Early in the season, Penny came out throwing 88-90 mph in the first couple of innings and gradually worked his way up ..."

Jonathan Papelbon clarifies comments

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June 20

Boston Herald

"Jonathan Papelbon was in a clarifying mood yesterday. On Thursday, the Red Sox [team stats] closer went on a national radio show and said, if things did not work out down the road with the Red Sox, he would be open to playing anywhere, including the Yankees. Yesterday, Papelbon did not backpedal from his comments, but he wanted to make sure people understood what he meant. "I know I said what I said, I'm not going to deny that. But I think at times fans may see that and think I don't want to play here and my manager and general manager might think I'm not happy here, and that's nowhere even close," Papelbon said before last night's game. "It kind of (ticked) me off today because it made it ..."

Sox Closer Would Consider Yanks

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June 20

New York Post

"If the Red Sox don't want Jonathan Papelbon after the 2011 season, the laser-throwing closer wouldn't have a problem switching sides -- to the Yankees -- in the most heated rivalry in sports. "Not only The Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility," Papelbon said in a Sirius XM radio interview, according to quotes posted on WEEI.com. "You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, 'Oh, I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.' Because nowadays that is very, very rare. "There's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform, but I have to do what's best for me and play in an atmosphere where ..."

Jonathan Papelbon good to go

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June 19

Boston Herald

"Though he's under contract until 2011, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon said yesterday he would be willing to sign anywhere, including with the New York Yankees, if he and the Sox cannot agree to a long-term deal. "Not only the Bronx, but anywhere, I think anywhere is a possibility," Papelbon said in a Sirius XM radio interview, according to a weei.com transcript. "You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, 'Oh I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career.' Because nowadays that is very, very rare. . . . There's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform, but I have to do what's best for me and play ..."

Red Sox reliever drawing interest from several teams

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June 16

Foxsports.com

"For all the talk about the Red Sox trading right-handed starter Brad Penny, the team might be just as inclined to move right-handed reliever Takashi Saito. The Sox discussed sending Saito to the Rangers for infielder Hank Blalock, major-league sources say. The talks, however, were tabled after Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton underwent right-abdominal surgery on June 2. They are unlikely to revive, sources say, in part because of the resurgence of Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who has a 1.001 OPS in June. Saito, however, remains in demand, with several teams expressing interest. At this point, the Sox probably would prefer to trade him for a prospect, according to one source. The ..."

John Smoltz' big day

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June 16

Boston Herald

"Today is decision day for the Red Sox and John Smoltz. The team is expected to announce its plans for the future Hall of Famer before tonight's interleague series opener against the Florida Marlins at Fenway Park. The rotation for the Florida series is set. Tim Wakefield gets the start tonight, with Brad Penny following tomorrow and Jon Lester taking the hill on Thursday. That leaves the Sox two options for Friday's game against the team Smoltz spent 20 big league seasons with, the Atlanta Braves. They can either start the struggling Daisuke Matsuzaka or activate Smoltz while making a corresponding roster move. The team had a good idea of what it planned to do during the weekend but wanted ..."

Sox not in a hurry to trade Brad Penny, Street being scouted

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June 15

SI.com

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"The Red Sox now "aren't in a hurry" to trade Brad Penny, who hit the mid-90s in his last start vs. the Yankees, even with John Smoltz seemingly ready to go. While it appears they have too much pitching, they also know there's no such thing. The market also hasn't been great so far for Penny, thanks to his $5 million salary. Perhaps with the pitching market dying, though, he'll begin to look better to someone. • Rockies closer Huston Street is being heavily scouted. Among the teams that need a reliever are the Yankees, Rangers and Angels. The Rays, Cubs and Twins might also consider bullpen help. • The Cardinals continue to scour the market for a bat. • Giants lefty Jonathan Sanchez is on ..."

Interest in Penny

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June 15

Boston Globe

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"Major league sources indicated the Sox have fielded multiple calls and some offers for Brad Penny, who today became eligible to be traded. Because Penny was signed as a free agent, he could not be traded until June 15. So far the Sox, who feel they are dealing from a position of strength, haven't heard anything that would want to make them deal the righthander, even with a logjam in their starting rotation. The source indicated the Sox like their depth and would need to be overwhelmed to make a deal. While that scenario could take place as teams get more desperate to find pitching, the Sox feel they can hold off even if it creates tough decisions internally. "I think they learned from the ..."

Change coming for John Smoltz

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June 15

Boston Herald

"As he passed the office of Red Sox manager Terry Francona yesterday morning, rehabbing right-hander John Smoltz poked his head inside and said, "I've found my changeup." Replied Francona: "Good. We can use it." Smoltz wasn't kidding. After weeks of tinkering with the pitch, he now believes he has found the right combination of grip, release and arm slot that is required to make the changeup a part of his repertoire once he is activated off the disabled list. The question now is when that will take place. Right-hander Tim Wakefield is slated to start against the Florida Marlins tomorrow night at Fenway Park, with righty Brad Penny set to go Wednesday and lefty Jon Lester in line for ..."

Wilson trade discussed with Boston

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June 15

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Pirates and Boston have had trade talks regarding shortstop Jack Wilson, but no move in that direction seems imminent or even likely based on how talks have gone to this point. The Red Sox, without a shortstop while Jed Lowrie recovers from a wrist injury, have taken the step of asking some of their players -- including former Pirates outfielder Jason Bay -- for their views on Wilson in an attempt to gauge his value. But their talks to date have not come close to the baseball return the Pirates would seek in a trade for their most popular player. This is doubly true, perhaps, in the aftermath of the highly unpopular Nate McLouth trade last week. The Pirates also have talked to other ..."

Rotation speculation begins with Smoltz

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June 13

MLB.com

"After right-hander John Smoltz made his fifth -- and likely final -- Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, the intrigue could officially begin. How will Smoltz fit into a rotation that already includes five established starters in Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield and Brad Penny? Red Sox manager Terry Francona refused to publicly speculate on the matter until he has a chance to sit down with Smoltz and the other pitchers involved. "We'll figure this out," said Francona. "We've got a lot of different ways to go. We know what our options are. We want to make it work best for us. We have days off coming up. We can do a lot of different things. We ..."

Nothing much to say on Bay talks

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June 13

Boston Globe

"The Red Sox have yet to resume discussions on a contract extension for Jason Bay, who is eligible to become a free agent at the end of this season. In spring training, Bay and the Sox made substantial progress toward an extension, but they broke off talks when the erratic market for outfielders pushed the sides too far apart. Nearly 2 1/2 months later, with Bay almost certainly on his way to an All-Star Game appearance, talks have yet to restart. "There's nothing new," Bay said yesterday. "There's really nothing to say about it. It's been a hot topic. I understand that. Until there's something to say, there's nothing to say. "In spring training, we said we would revisit it at some point. ..."

Lowrie spinning his wheels

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June 12

Boston Globe

"Jed Lowrie, who continues to rehab following wrist surgery, likely won't be ready to rejoin the Red Sox until late this month or early next month. Lowrie will face live batting practice with the Spinners in Lowell on Monday, but he's looking at a couple of weeks before he might see action in a major league game. For his part, manager Terry Francona said he didn't have to "make out our lineup for July," in response to a question about what he would do with the trio of Lowrie, Nick Green, and Julio Lugo once Lowrie returns. The next step is important, as Lowrie will work out with the Spinners before the Sox decide whether to send him to extended spring training in Florida or to Pawtucket. "I ..."

Rain delays John Smoltz

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June 12

Boston Herald

"John Smoltz' comeback path was detoured for a day when his scheduled rehab start last night with Triple-A Pawtucket - expected to be his final tuneup before being activated by the Red Sox - was rained out in Syracuse. Smoltz had been expected to start the first game of a doubleheader against the Chiefs last night, but rain postponed both games. Smoltz will start today instead. Still left unsaid is how the Sox plan to integrate him into their rotation, and whose place Smoltz will take when that happens. "We'll sit down with (Smoltz) and just make sure we're all on the same page," manager Terry Francona said. "When you activate somebody, there has to be another (corresponding) move. He ..."

Smoltz is just about ready to get started

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June 11

Boston Globe

"After one more rehab outing, set for today at Syracuse, John Smoltz will be ready to return to big league action. His potential return date is Tuesday against the Marlins at Fenway Park. That would likely be followed by starts against the Braves at home and in Atlanta, if he stays on a five-day rotation, facing the team for which he played his entire major league career before this season. Asked if that would be perfect timing, Smoltz wasn't quite so sure. "I don't know if perfect is the word I would look at," he said recently. "When I signed with the Sox, I had no idea we were going to play the Braves. With the history and everything that's gone on, that cannot be a focus for me. If it ..."

Jed Lowrie back shortly

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June 11

Boston Herald

"Originally expected back shortly after the All-Star break, sidelined shortstop Jed Lowrie could return to the Red Sox lineup as soon as a three-city road trip later this month. Lowrie, who underwent surgery in April to repair a wrist injury that dates back to last season, has been taking batting practice for the past week. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks in the next few days, the tentative plan calls for him to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket Monday. Lowrie yesterday said he expected to need between 20-30 at-bats in the minors to be ready to face major league pitching. Even with a conservative approach, which might include limiting him to three at-bats per game at least ..."

Boston in a hurry to trade Brad Penny

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June 8

SI.com

"Boston seems in a hurry to trade Brad Penny with John Smoltz on the way back and top prospect Clay Buchholz thriving at Pawtucket. • The Red Sox reportedly were scouting Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur. But one Red Sox person didn't sound excited about what he's seen."

Strained shoulder could shelve Ellsbury

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June 8

Boston Globe

"The Red Sox will not know until today if Jacoby Ellsbury will be in the lineup for tomorrow night's series opener against the Yankees. Ellsbury left yesterday's 6-3 loss to the Rangers after the fifth inning with a strained right shoulder. Ellsbury jammed his shoulder sliding awkwardly into second base in the third inning, and he aggravated it twice - once making a tremendous stumbling catch in the triangle in the fourth, and again when he swung in the fifth. "I banged it up a little on the slide, and then I tried to fight through it," Ellsbury said. "When I made the catch, I landed on my right shoulder and made it even worse than that. It's really not feeling too good right now, but we ..."

Orlando Cabrera rumor comes up short

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June 8

Boston Herald

"Despite rumors to the contrary, the Red Sox, industry sources indicate, are committed to staying with Nick Green and Julio Lugo at shortstop - at least until Jed Lowrie returns from wrist surgery next month. An ESPN.com report yesterday suggested that the Sox were "accelerating their search" for a shortstop and had held trade talks with the Oakland A's on a deal that would bring Orlando Cabrera back for a second stint. But while the Red Sox have made inquiries on Cabrera, the cost - both in terms of his remaining salary and prospects they would have to deal - was deemed too costly. One major league team, using defensive metrics, recently classified Cabrera as the worst defensive shortstop ..."

Puzzled Omar Vizquel: No sign of Boston

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June 7

Boston Herald

"The solution to the Red Sox [team stats]' shortstop problem may very well have been sitting in the visitors dugout last night. Veteran Omar Vizquel probably isn't going anywhere with the Rangers leading the AL West, but he won't lie - he wishes the Red Sox made a play for him when they had a chance. "They haven't even called anybody to see if I'd want to go, or if (Texas) would let me go," Vizquel said before last night's 8-1 Sox win at Fenway Park [map]. "They haven't really called me ever. They didn't call in the offseason. They didn't call in spring training. They always talk about it, but they never call the right people to see if I'm available." In the interests of accuracy, the Red ..."

Philly shows interest in Boston's Penny

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June 6

MLB.com

"The Phillies have been playing good baseball for three weeks, and pitching is a big reason why.They had won 16 of 20 games entering Friday night's game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The pitching staff had a 3.86 ERA in that stretch (it had a 5.36 ERA before that), and Phillies starters are 7-0 with a 2.72 ERA in the seven games since Brett Myers left a May 27 game against the Marlins with a hip injury that likely ended his season. But it is no secret Philadelphia continues to look for starting pitching help. A scout for a Major League team said the Phillies have been following Red Sox right-hander Brad Penny recently. ESPN.com reported recently that the Phillies called the Red Sox ..."

Sources: Braves eyeing Penny

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June 5

ESPN.com

"The Braves already have made moves to augment their rotation, calling up super prospect Tommy Hanson to make his major league debut on Sunday, after summoning Kris Medlen last month. But Atlanta might not be done adding pitching. Atlanta is one of the teams in conversation with the Boston Red Sox about veteran right-hander Brad Penny, according to sources, at a time when the Red Sox have been doing their own research on Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur. As the Braves do their background work on Penny, this is part of what they have ascertained: The 31-year-old right-hander started horribly for the Red Sox, but he has pitched better in recent starts, allowing three earned runs or fewer ..."

Brad Penny tops trade talks again

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June 4

Boston Herald

"According to Brad Penny's baseball calendar, he's due to be traded next month. He got traded from Arizona to Florida in July of 1999, then five years later he went from the Marlins to the Dodgers at the trading deadline in 2004. So, according to the five-year Penny plan, July of 2009 is his time to move on. Sure enough, like clockwork, because of the Red Sox' depth in starting pitchers, Penny's name tops the list of players the Sox will dangle, starting right now. It's a fact of life that Penny is trying to keep in the fiction department. "Oh, I'd love to stay. I signed here and they told me it was something they'd want for more than one year if everything worked out," said Penny before ..."

Clock's ticking for Theo Epstein

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June 2

Boston Herald

"With two months in the books of the Red Sox' 2009 season, their plot is beginning to resemble one of those boilerplate thrillers where the leading man spends the first third of the book ducking sniper attacks and dodging poisoned meals. He is still standing, and while you can't quite tell if his survival skills and luck are going to hold out forever, you're willing to keep turning the pages to find out. It's somewhat of a minor miracle that the Red Sox woke up here this morning at 29-22, with the fourth best winning percentage in the AL and in second place in the AL East. Given what has gone wrong, the Red Sox' relatively strong start has bought Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein more ..."

With Myers out, Phils to go after difference-maker

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May 30

Foxsports.com

"Don't look for the Phillies to make an immediate trade for a starting pitcher now that right-hander Brett Myers is out for the season. Rather than obtain a short-term fix such as Red Sox right-hander Brad Penny, the Phillies likely will try to acquire more of a difference-maker before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told FOXSports.com on Friday that the Phillies are not flexible enough financially to add multiple starting pitchers. The team essentially has one move to make, and would prefer to be it for a top-of-the-rotation type such as Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard or Astros righty Roy Oswalt Jr. The Red Sox, according to a source with knowledge of the ..."

Around the majors

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May 30

SI.com

"Rangers owner Tom Hicks' decision to put a majority stake in the team up for sale should not be shocking in light of all the financial reverses he has suffered within the past few years, and the contracts of Alex Rodriguez, Chan Ho Park and Kevin Millwood are the least of it. Hicks is in the TV business, which has hit the skids, plus he also purchased the Liverpool soccer team and got crushed (like the rest of the country) in the stock market. Hicks tried hard to win, I give him that. • The Giants are denying that they are dangling Matt Cain. But one competing exec said he wouldn't be stunned if they did dangle Cain, considering they have superb ace Tim Lincecum and lots more young ..."

Braves' GM won't comment on Francoeur-Red Sox rumors

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May 28

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Braves general manager Frank Wren would not comment on a report that the Boston Red Sox have recently scouted Jeff Francoeur and might have trade interest in the Braves right fielder. It's not known whether the Braves have entertained offers for the player who was once expected to become the next face of the franchise, but whose career has stalled. The Braves would presumably have to get an outfielder back in any trade for Francoeur, 25, or have another deal lined up to get a replacement. The Lilburn native was hitting .259 with three homers, 21 RBIs and a .281 on-base percentage before Wednesday night's game at San Francisco. Yahoo's Gordon Edes reported that the Red Sox were looking at ..."

Trade winds begin as a breeze

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May 27

Yahoo! Sports

"Last week's Jake Peavy(notes) near-trade demonstrated that not only will the Padres' ace dictate his relocation terms, but that the annual swapping season will heat up well before the July 31 trading deadline. Here are some developments to watch in the coming days and weeks: • The New York Mets retain keen interest in Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson(notes), to the point where the Nationals have scouts watching the Mets' Triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., and Double-A team in Binghamton, N.Y., evaluating pitchers Jon Niese, Mike Antonini and Eddie Kunz(notes) among others. The Mets need a first baseman because Carlos Delgado(notes) could be out for two months after hip surgery. ..."

No hurry to flip him, but Penny has value

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May 26

Boston Globe

"An American League general manager recently made a great point: "The Red Sox are so stacked, so good, they can be patient with Ortiz, patient with their shortstop situation, and they can trade Brad Penny if they want to." "If they want to" is the key phrase. The Sox are an imperfect first-place team, but they are in a perfect situation. They have resources, a deep farm system, chips to trade, and a lineup that's good enough, even without David Ortiz hitting. They are in first place even with no reliable shortstop. They have so much starting pitching that other teams are actually awaiting a decision on Penny, knowing that sometime after mid-June John Smoltz will be ready. While some expect ..."

Big Papi move is likely

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May 26

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox still were undecided after yesterday's 6-5 win against the Minnesota Twins, but indications were they would drop slumping designated hitter David Ortiz in the batting order tonight, likely to the No. 5 or 6 spot. Ortiz said before leaving the Metrodome yesterday that he wasn't sure where he would be on the lineup card tonight. "No idea. (Manager Terry Francona) hasn't left yet right? Let's go and find out," said a smiling Ortiz, who sat out yesterday's opener against left-handed Minnesota starter Francisco Liriano. "He's the boss, I'm an employee, I follow orders, that's the way I always have been." Francona seldom announces batting order decisions - never mind who will be in ..."

Smoltz to make 2009 debut in Georgia

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May 21

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"John Smoltz is coming back to Georgia, but not as a Brave, or even a Red Sox. Smoltz, signed by Boston in January after 20 years with the Braves, will make his 2009 debut Thursday with the Class-A Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League. The future Hall of Famer hasn't pitched in a live game situation since last June, when he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum. Ironically, Smoltz has toiled for Greenville, a former Braves affiliate, on three previous rehab assignments. First pitch for the Drive vs. Augusta GreenJackets is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Lake Olmstead Stadium. If all goes well, expect to see Smoltz in a Boston uniform when the Red Sox visit Turner Field June 26-28."

As Tribe keeps laboring, the trade talks keep swirling

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May 20

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Seven weeks of bad baseball have made the Indians the subject of several trade rumors. Boston reportedly is interested in Victor Martinez to help carry the offensive load because of a slumping David Ortiz. It's been speculated that the Mets may go after Mark DeRosa to help replace injured first baseman Carlos Delgado. Cliff Lee, last year's Cy Young winner, is said to be on several contenders' radar in anticipation of a deal at the trading deadline. GM Mark Shapiro is talking to general managers, but it's not about subtracting players in preparation for next year. "We're doing everything we can to get better for this year," said Shapiro. Said manager Eric Wedge, "I've heard that talk ..."

Kevin Youkilis' road still delayed

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May 10

Boston Herald

"Don't expect to see Kevin Youkilis before the Red Sox open their West Coast swing Tuesday. Youkilis missed his fifth straight game yesterday with a sore left side, and is shooting to return on the next road trip to Anaheim and Seattle. "I don't think it's off-base to say that," Youkilis said. "I haven't really picked up a bat and swung. I'd love to be able to play Tuesday. I'd love to play (today). I don't know if that will happen. Who knows?" Youkilis reported feeling real improvement for the first time since being injured Monday. He said the tightness in his left side has diminished, but he still is unable to swing or do anything requiring torque. He doesn't believe the disabled list ..."

Short of it: Julio Lugo not the answer

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May 10

Boston Herald

"The nature of the blowout loss might obscure it for the time being, because yesterday, there were problems everywhere you looked - on the mound, at the plate and in the field. But long after the 14-5 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays is forgotten, the Red Sox still will have a problem - and a big one - at shortstop. Three times in their six-run fifth inning, the Rays slapped balls through the hole between short and third. At no point did shortstop Julio Lugo come close to fielding any of the three. In fact, he didn't so much as dive at any of them. None, it should be noted, were hit particularly hard. None required spectacular defensive efforts to stop. But Lugo couldn't get to any of them, and ..."

Youkilis has tightness in side

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May 6

Boston Globe

"Kevin Youkilis's injury has been described as both an oblique issue and side tenderness, and has been attributed to both a hit-by-pitch and an unknown source. The one certainty yesterday was that it kept Youkilis from playing against the Yankees, after having been removed from Monday night's game after the sixth inning. "I think it's just because I didn't have enough time [Monday] night," Youkilis said of the quick turnaround from rain delay to first pitch. "Hopefully it'll be all right. The trainers want to hold me off. It's just really tight today and they don't want me to play and aggravate it more." Youkilis insisted the injury did not occur on a hit-by-pitch last week, as manager ..."

Hold off on pitching change

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April 19

Boston Globe

"The simplest thing for Jake Peavy and Padres general manager Kevin Towers would be for this surprising little start to continue through the trade deadline and perhaps the season. If that should happen, the Padres would not turn into pumpkins and Peavy would not turn into a Red Sox, Cub, Dodger, or Met. He would be a full-time performer in the Padres' Proving People Wrong Tour. "We've got a long way to go, but it's always a good thing to get off to a good start, especially with our team because we're inexperienced and we're young," said Peavy, who has two wins already for a team that started 7-3. "What was great was to know we have a team that can compete at this level. "I think we needed ..."

Pedro in no rush

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April 19

Boston Herald

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"Pedro Martinez continues to work out and wait for the right offer from the right team so he can resume his career. The former Red Sox ace is waiting for teams to realize that he would be a better gamble than some of the low-cost wagers that have not panned out early on. "He's working out, he feels great; he's not in any hurry to make a decision," said his agent, Fernando Cuza. "He's waiting for the perfect opportunity and he's glad he didn't make a couple of early decisions that he could have made." It is believed that Martinez is seeking a one-year deal with a base salary around $5 million, although Cuza refused to talk pricetag"

Lowrie may be out for year

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April 18

Boston Globe

"Shortstop Jed Lowrie will visit a specialist in Arizona in the coming days to determine the best course of action for his left wrist fracture. That could mean season-ending surgery, Lowrie said yesterday. He consulted last night with Thomas Gill, the Red Sox' physician. The visit to Dr. Donald Sheridan will reveal the best of three options, Lowrie said. Either he will play with cortisone shots or he'll have one of two surgeries. The first would reattach the fractured bone, the ulnar styloid, and the second would remove it. Removing the bone would cost him the season. Lowrie is staying optimistic. He has been throwing and running, trying to keep in shape in case surgery is not necessary. ..."

Wait 'til 2010 for Jed Lowrie?

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April 18

Boston Herald

"Jed Lowrie's 2009 season might be over. The shortstop will visit Dr. Donald Sheridan in Arizona today to have his ailing left wrist examined. Lowrie said there's a possibility he'll need surgery, which "would essentially be the season." "The last thing I want is surgery," Lowrie said. "But if it's something that will make this better and be the long-term solution, I'll do it." The wrist has been bothering Lowrie since last May. He played with a small break down the stretch and was clearly hampered, particularly from the left side. He arrived at spring training believing the wrist had healed to 90-percent of its original strength and backed up that contention by batting .340. But after ..."

No moves in store

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April 3

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox roster, at least for the time being, appears set. After kicking the tires yesterday on recently released veterans Frank Catalanotto and Gary Sheffield, the Red Sox have decided to stand pat, according to a source familiar with the team's thinking. There appeared to be little benefit in adding a player who would likely be cut either when shortstop Julio Lugo returns later this month or when outfielder Mark Kotsay comes back around May 1. As things stand now, the Red Sox will open the season with Nick Green as their backup infielder and Chris Carter as their fifth outfielder. The Red Sox like Carter's left-handed bat, in particular, and he should get some playing time in the ..."

Red Sox still desire Hanley Ramirez

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March 22

Boston Herald

"The news that the Red Sox attempted to reacquire shortstop Hanley Ramirez from the Florida Marlins during the offseason apparently was news to the player. According to multiple sources, the Red Sox approached Florida last November to see if they could put together a package of young players and prospects to land Ramirez, whom they dealt in a multi-player swap in November of 2005 to land right-hander Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell. "When was that?" Ramirez quizzically asked yesterday. "Nobody told me anything about that. But what can I say? It's a business. Anything can happen, I guess." In response to the Red Sox' inquiry, the Marlins reportedly were interested in a package ..."

New deal is kept at Bay

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March 16

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox and Jason Bay agreed to postpone talks about a long-term deal yesterday, a sign as much about the uncertain economic times as the Red Sox' preference for signing younger players to longer-term contracts. General manager Theo Epstein spoke about the impasse shortly after he and Jon Lester shared the table at a press conference to announce completion of their contract extension worth $30 million for five years, not including a sixth option year held by the club worth $14 million. The big difference between Bay and Lester - as well as Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia, who signed long-term contracts during the offseason - is age and major league experience. Bay will turn 31 this ..."

Lugo may have torn meniscus

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March 15

Boston Globe

"With a giant pack of ice on his right knee, Julio Lugo limped around the clubhouse at City of Palms Park yesterday. Without it, the shortstop stood on a chair and bounced along to some music blasting out of speakers in David Ortiz's locker. He was surprisingly upbeat for a player who might have seen the end of his bid to earn the starting shortstop spot to begin the season. After enduring knee pain for nearly a week - since rounding second in a game against the Rays last Sunday, he said - Lugo had an MRI on his right knee after coming out of Friday night's game against the Yankees. And the news did not appear good yesterday. The early word from manager Terry Francona was that Lugo might ..."

Dustin Pedroia's out of action

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March 15

Boston Herald

"Dustin Pedroia has played his last game for Team USA. Now the question is: When will he play his next game for the Red Sox? The reigning American League MVP left his World Baseball Classic teammates here late yesterday afternoon after sustaining an injury to his left oblique. Pedroia first felt some soreness in the area while taking batting practice during Team USA's workout Friday, then apparently aggravated it yesterday with one more swing. Pedroia returned to Fort Myers last night and was examined by Red Sox medical director Tom Gill. In a statement released late last night by the team, Pedroia was found to have a minor strain in his lower left abdominal region. While he will be held ..."

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