Red Sox Trade Rumors

"Julian Tavarez remained with the Red Sox yesterday, which is fine with him. “Whatever I get, I’ll take it,” said the reliever, who pitched in his first game since April 24 last night against the Tigers. No advancements in trade talks regarding Tavarez were made yesterday between the Red Sox and Colorado Rockies. The Rockies remain interested in acquiring the 34-year-old to help their struggling rotation. “If you let me pick, I’ll say I want to start,” Tavarez said before allowing three runs on four hits in one inning of relief during the Sox’ 10-9 loss. “But to me, I’m the kind of guy who will do anything for my team."

"While they wait for internal options to heal their wounds and fix their mechanics, the Rockies are actively pursuing depth for their rotation, discussing trades with the Reds for Josh Fogg and the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez. The Rockies also have kicked the tires on Oakland's Rich Harden and Joe Blanton and Texas' Kevin Millwood. Harden is hurt, limiting interest; Blanton is currently not available. And while the Rangers will listen on Millwood, they want the right players in return, not salary relief. The Rockies' motivation is shaped by their need."

"Sox chief operating officer Mike Dee doesn't want to make too much of his discussions just yet, but he confirmed yesterday, after the story broke on ballparkdigest.com, that he met with Sarasota officials last Friday after they called the team earlier in the month to ask about their interest once they learned the Reds were accepting a deal to relocate to Goodyear, Ariz. There were all sorts of ideas floating around last night. There was even talk of making a new spring home a mini replica of Fenway Park."

"May Day will not spell the end of Bartolo Colon’s Red Sox career. The 2005 AL Cy Young winner, who signed a minor league deal with the Sox in February, had an opt-out clause in his contract that permitted him to become a free agent if he wasn’t on the big league roster by today. But a source indicated Colon will not exercise his right to leave the Sox at this time. Colon and the Sox reached an informal understanding that the opt-out date would be delayed until June 1."

"We start our report this week with a few questions for agent Scott Boras regarding the change in Manny Ramírez's personality, his conditioning, his desire to play at least four more years - all of which occurred since Boras began representing Ramírez this winter..."

"Should an outstanding young player sign a long-term deal early or wait for his big payday in or just prior to free agency? Jonathan Papelbon: "I'm going year to year right now and that's fine with me. "

"With five homers, a .343 average and a .701 slugging percentage entering the Red Sox's weekend series with the Rangers, Manny Ramirez seems to be pushing as hard as he can for Boston to pick up its $20 million option on his contract for next season."

"The injury to Alfonso Soriano could rekindle the Cubs' interest in trying to get outfielder Coco Crisp from the Red Sox. But Boston is said to like its center field platoon of Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury, and may decide to hold onto Crisp all year."

"Bartolo Colon has the contractual right to leave the organization if he isn’t called up to the majors by May 1, but Francona said he is hopeful the former Cy Young Award winner will forego the decision for a while (most likely until May 15) due to the time off required by a right oblique strain on April 6."

"Amidst all the furor caused by the insinuation from Dr. Craig Morgan that Curt Schilling is so upset with the Red Sox that he would be open to playing for the Yankees, there was news to be found. After going on WEEI-AM yesterday morning to state that Morgan might have “misremembered,” what Schilling said, the veteran right-hander also clarified his status with the team."

"When Curt Schilling got up yesterday in Cleveland, he was surprised to hear of the brouhaha involving him back in Boston. He said he had no idea that his doctor, Craig Morgan, had gone on WEEI radio and said that Schilling might be interested in pitching for the Yankees next season."

"For Manny Ramirez, it isn’t complicated. He hits home runs, like the one that won last night’s game, and thereby punches his ticket for six more years in Boston. It’s that simple. Don’t even bring up alternatives. According to Manny, those won’t be necessary."

"The two teams who have shown the most consistent interest in Coco Crisp are the Cubs and White Sox, according to a major league source familiar with both teams."

"Red Sox followers have as much interest in their team as any fans in the country, but the wise ones may want to spend some time over the next two days focusing on the pitchers who start for the other team, too. In a couple of months, both Joe Blanton and Rich Harden might be available."

"Red Sox outfielder Bobby Kielty accepted his assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket tonight, electing not to ask for free agency to hook on elsewhere. On Sunday, Kielty said there was a possibility another undisclosed big league team would be offering him a job this week, in which case he would exercise his agreement with the Sox to be set free."

"With the strong possibility that another, undisclosed major league team is prepared to offer him a job, Bobby Kielty has put off his plans of reporting to Triple-A Pawtucket for at least the next three days."

"On Saturday, Kielty said he told Epstein he would accept an assignment to Triple A Pawtucket, ready to bide his time until the Sox opened a roster spot, presumably by trading center fielder Coco Crisp. But yesterday, Kielty asked Epstein for another day to consider his options. Kielty's agent called, telling him he might have a spot for him on another big league team."

" The outfielder’s hope had been that the Sox would move Coco Crisp before the start of the season, but that has yet to happen, freezing Kielty out of a roster spot. He was prepared to go to Pawtucket and wait for an opening, but that was before another unidentified team expressed an interest in him."

"From the team’s perspective, Crisp’s groin injury in spring training has as much to do with the center field issue as Jacoby Ellsbury’s emergence. But as far as Crisp is concerned, his two days in Japan have been great, and any talk about his injury is now old news... A trade remains very much a possibility for Crisp, but much like his injury, it is a topic for another day."

"With 490 homers in his 15-year career, even 700 might be far-fetched. But not if you listen to the slugger, who is planning to have some years left in Boston, years in which to round out his legacy, pick up the big numbers, and end it all in a place he hasn't always wanted to be. No longer, though. He's happy, and he's happy to share."

"Maybe it was being out of the Western Hemisphere. But for some reason, Manny Ramirez was in a talkative mood Saturday before the Sox took on the Hanshin Tigers. Ramirez, who said he’s adjusted to the time difference well and enjoying the plentiful sushi, said he anticipates playing for some time to come even though, at age 35, he’s entering the final guaranteed year of his landmark eight-year deal."

"The expectation is that the Cubs will eventually ship off starter Jason Marquis to Boston for center fielder Coco Crisp. Chicago has clearly soured on Felix Pie. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Pie included in the Brian Roberts deal with Baltimore."

"Piniella feels he needs an outfielder such as the Red Sox' Coco Crisp. The Cubs continue to covet Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. And a stockpile of Cubs pitching that Hendry planned to use to make trades to complete his roster plans remains like a logjam as decision time fast approaches."

"Manny has a plan. “I know what lays ahead. I’m going to get two more years here, and then I’m going to get four more years, so it’s going to be six years,” Manny Ramirez said in front of his locker at the Tokyo Dome before the Red Sox’ exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers."

"The Cubs' ideal lineup is expected to go on display today against the White Sox, when manager Lou Piniella puts Kosuke Fukudome back in the No. 2 spot and drops Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez to 3-4-5. The only potentially better Cubs lineup for Opening Day would involve a trade for the Baltimore Orioles' Brian Roberts to bat leadoff, or even a trade for Boston Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp to bat somewhere near the top of the order."

"Opening Day will take place after all. Threatening to boycott their trip to Japan because their coaches wouldn’t be receiving the same kind of appearance fee as the players, the Red Sox convinced Major League Baseball this afternoon to relent and compensate all personnel in an appropriate fashion. When asked if the team got what it wanted, Sox pitcher Curt Schilling responded in a text message, “Yes.”"

"The Red Sox’ trip to Japan has already hit a major snag. This afternoon’s scheduled exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays has been delayed and the team’s flight to Japan may be in jeopardy after the players decided unanimously to protest MLB’s decision not to extend a $40,000 appearance fee to all team coaches making the trip. The united Sox front emerged after a players-only meeting this morning at City of Palms Park and threatened the team’s Opening Day games against the Oakland A’s on March 24 and 25 in Tokyo."

"Two weeks remain before Milwaukee visits Wrigley Field for real. Do you know where your Cubs are? Some may still be in Baltimore ( Brian Roberts) and some in Boston (Coco Crisp)."

"While agent Scott Boras said he would welcome discussion on a contract extension for catcher Jason Varitek, he said he would not initiate anything. "If the Red Sox are receptive to discussing it, we certainly would be as well," Boras said. Varitek's deal ends after the season ."

"The ''other things'' likely center on the Cubs' hunt for Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, though sources from both sides indicate a deal probably wouldn't be struck until the final days of camp. The Cubs also have interest in Boston Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp, a switch hitter, and the Texas Rangers' Marlon Byrd, a righty-swinging outfielder who could play center."

"That if the Cubs do complete their deal for Brian Roberts, it would take them out of the running for Coco Crisp. They're telling teams they can't add both players to their payroll... Teams looking for a left-handed reliever (Yankees, maybe?) will find that the Giants are looking to move veteran Steve Kline, who's set to make only $1.75 million this year."

"The Angels could deal either Juan Rivera or Reggie Willits. In Boston, Coco Crisp won't be an everyday player after the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury. But Crisp is banged up, and two other outfielders who might otherwise be good fits for the Rays - Toronto's Reed Johnson and Cincinnati's Ryan Freel - have had trouble staying healthy at times."

"Welcome to the Manny Ramirez School of Zen, an institution built on the power of meditation, yoga and an old campaign slogan. Four more years. “I’m gonna get four more years here, man,” Ramirez said yesterday while all but skipping out of City of Palms Park. “I’m going to get the two options and I’m going to get two more years.”"

"There they were, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and center fielder Coco Crisp [stats], engaged in a conversation that, from a distance, seemed reasonable but, at the same time, a little passionate. Surely this was it. Epstein had finally pulled the trigger on a trade. Coco was gone. Maybe to the Oakland A’s. Maybe to the Chicago Cubs. Maybe to the Minnesota Twins."

"Boston has considered moving center fielder Coco Crisp since the end of last season, and the A's have been linked to Crisp several times. Now, the teams are believed to be discussing Crisp again. If the Red Sox were to ask for any of the A's top prospects, Oakland would want someone like young center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury rather than Crisp."

"A rumor started on WFAN-AM, filtered its way through Tradition Field, creating a mystery around Angel Pagan. Would he be dealt to Boston for Coco Crisp? The answer to the rumor was no, as a Mets official quickly squashed it as fantasy."

"The rumor surfaced around the third inning, that the Mets were talking trade with the Red Sox and would send Angel Pagan to Boston for Coco Crisp in a swap of outfielders. By the bottom of the fourth, the Mets vehemently shot down the radio report, and when Pagan hit a two-run homer in the seventh, a club official said, "That's the guy we just traded to Boston.""

"General manager Doug Melvin shot down an Internet rumor that had Boston showing interest in left-hander Chris Capuano. "I haven't talked to them," Melvin said."

"Crisp's injury has kept him out of any supposed competition with rookie Jacoby Ellsbury for the starting center field job. It also makes it more problematic for the Sox to trade Crisp; they've talked with the Cubs, among others, but no team is going to make a swap while he's hurt."

"It's a little easier for Ramirez to welcome a trade than, say, DeRosa, who will lose his starting job at second base if the Cubs finally get their top-priority deal done for Baltimore Orioles leadoff hitter Brian Roberts... Then there's Sean Marshall, Matt Murton, Felix Pie, Jason Marquis and -- in the latest rumors involving Boston Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp -- Sam Fuld, who would join Marquis in Boston if the Cubs' offer were accepted, according to the Boston Globe."

"Ultimately, the Cubs felt Pie deserved a chance to win the job in spring training, and they believed they could pick up a complementary player who could start against left-handers. Aside from Byrd and Crisp, other outfielders who can play center and may be available include Baltimore's Jay Payton, Cincinnati's Ryan Freel and the Los Angeles Angels' Reggie Willits. Payton, 35, has been rumored to be part of any Brian Roberts trade."

"Towers and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein were in contact yesterday. Epstein has two center fielders, and one of them, Coco Crisp, could be available... Last year, the Padres asked the Brewers about reserve center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. The Angels have a glut of outfielders, including two center fielders who are likely cheaply available: Nathan Haynes, who is out of minor league options; and Reggie Willits, who may not crack the 25-man roster."

"You can count Jonathan Papelbon among a growing group of rising stars who are going public with their struggles to get a big pay raise. Yesterday, the Red Sox closer aired his differences with his employer."

"With virtually no leverage in his contract situation, Jonathan Papelbon will probably end up with a 2008 salary north of Bobby Jenks's $550,000 and quite south of the $900,000 Ryan Howard got when the Phillies slugger had about the same service time. But that didn't stop Papelbon from making some outspoken comments yesterday on his contract status, which will need to be resolved by next Tuesday's deadline."

"The Red Sox are poised to renew Jonathan Papelbon’s contract as early as Thursday if no progress is made in negotiations with agents Sam and Seth Levinson over the next two days."

"Jonathan Papelbon was in Fort Myers yesterday afternoon with his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, to continue talks with the Sox on a new deal. Papelbon, who was paid $425,000 in 2007, told the Providence Journal that the $900,000 contract Ryan Howard signed with the Phillies at a similar service level was a reasonable benchmark."

"Jonathan Papelbon may be young, but he knows how the business of baseball works. He knows that, with a little more than two years of major-league service time, he has no contractual leverage with the Red Sox. Not yet eligible for arbitration, Papelbon has little recourse at the bargaining table."

"With a week until the March 11 deadline to renew contracts of players not yet arbitration eligible, there was no news on a deal with closer Jonathan Papelbon."

"Keep an eye on Coco Crisp -- the Cubs and White Sox certainly have been watching. Crisp, who lost his starting job in center field last October to promising Jacoby Ellsbury, arrived at the Boston Red Sox' camp and announced he'd rather be traded if that meant finding a starting job elsewhere."

"In one instance Ortiz says he is going to play until the wheels fall off, while in the same sentence he makes it clear that he won’t stay in the game beyond age 40. With that in mind, he has zeroed in on doing whatever it takes to make the most of his remaining seasons. One of his primary motivations is to get that last big contract from the Red Sox. He makes this clear: not just a deal from any team in baseball, but the Red Sox."