Red Sox Show Interest In Matt Guerrier

The Red Sox have shown interest in free agent relief pitcher, Matt Guerrier. Guerrier had his second straight really good season with the Twins last year, going 5-7/3.17/42 after going 5-1/2.36/47 the year before. After the Red Sox' bullpen was a bit shaky last year I think this would be a good move to make to help bolster it. Matt Guerrier made $3.15 million in 2010, and although he will more than likely be looking for a raise, he probably won't be too expensive. The Red Sox are also standing as the frontrunners for Jason Werth and Justin Upton. I think that this would be a good move to make for the Red Sox and they should go for it.

Rod Barajas The Next Red Sox Catcher?

The Red Sox have shown a slight interest in journeyman catcher, Rod Barajas, as Victor Martinez's replacement. In 2010, in a season split between the Mets and Dodgers, Barajas hit .240/17/47 in 99 games. Rod Barajas may actually be just the answer that we are looking for as he is not a bad hitter, as he's got a little pop in his bat. However, the main thing is his catching, because Victor Martinez was a pretty bad all around and Jason Varitek couldn't throw well, Barajas could give Red Sox fans a deep breath behind the plate. Although Rod Barajas only threw out 15% of baserunners this season, in his career he has thrown out 32%. The Sox were close to inking Barajas in July, but then he got injured so the trade was annulled. All in all, I think this is a great decision and I hope that they will make it happen.

Red Sox Fill 40-Man Roster

Yesterday the Red Sox claimed outfielder Jordan Parraz off waivers from the Royals, thus filling their 40-man roster. He has not really broken into the majors yet, but in the minor leagues last season he went .266/11/61 with the AAA affiliate of the Royals. In the minor leagues, he is a career .289 hitter so he has some promise to be a good major league outfielder. He generally classifies as a right fielder so maybe if the Sox can't get anyone better he will be J.D. Drew's replacement in 2012. Parraz was the Astros' 3rd round pick in 2004, and he spent 5 years with that organization. In any case, Parraz could become a good acquisition in later years.

Will Jarrod Saltalamacchia Be Our 2011 Catcher?

With star catcher Victor Martinez on the verge of signing with the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox are exploring options for catchers. The most obvious solution to this problem would be to start Jarrod Saltalamacchia for 2011. In 2010, Saltalamacchia had a pretty rough year, going .167/0/2 in a season split between the Rangers and Red Sox. Although he has not been good of late, mostly due to injuries, he had a pretty good rookie season in 2007, going .266/11/33. The Red Sox also have Saltalamacchia under control over the next three seasons. They could also simply sign or trade for a better catcher, which I think they will at least attempt to do. Whatever happens, I think Saltalamacchia will factor in somehow in 2011.

The Red Sox May Have Bill Hall #2

The Red Sox have offered arbitration to utility middle infielder Felipe Lopez. In 2010, Lopez had a pretty bad season, going .233/8/37, but he had a much better season in 2009, when he went .310/9/57. Last season the Red Sox signed Lopez with around a week left last season and he would be a Type B free agent, meaning that the Red Sox would not receive prospects if he went elsewhere. If he accepts arbitration with the Red Sox, he may be the next Bill Hall, as he is a great utility man and is very affordable, even more so than Felipe Lopez. I hope that Lopez accepts and has a good bounce-back season in 2011.

A Possibility For Justin Upton?

It appears that the Red Sox have had multiple trade talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks over right fielder Justin Upton. In 2010, Upton went .273/17/69, but his best season was in 2009, when he made the All-Star Team and went .300/26/86. Other teams are making a shot for Justin Upton, most notably the Yankees. If the Red Sox were to get Upton, however, they might well have to give up Jacoby Ellsbury and Daniel Bard, at least that's what the D-Backs think. In any case, this won't be another deal where they trade a few prospects for Justin Upton. But if this works out, they will be a much better team in 2011.

Red Sox Claim Taylor Buchholz

Today, the Red Sox claimed relief pitcher Taylor Buchholz (right), who, just to clear things up, is not Clay's brother. In 2010, Taylor Buchholz recovered from Tommy John surgery and only pitched in 9 games, going 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA. In the minor leagues this year, Buchholz actually did worse, going 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA. Since the Red Sox already have 6 eligible starting pitchers, so if he wants to make the team in Spring Training so he will probably have to settle to be a reliever. The Red Sox' 40-man roster stands at 36 with the addition of Buchholz. I hope that Buchholz #2 works out for the Sox as well as Buchholz #1!

Red Sox Trade For Andrew Miller

Today, the Red Sox made a trade with the Marlins to acquire pitcher, Andrew Miller (right) for reliever Dustin Richardson. Last season, Miller went 1-5/8.54/28, and although he was viewed as a great prospect a few years ago, he is now sort of a lost cause. Last year, they acquired Jeremy Hermida, and this is the next former prospect and now lost cause that the Red Sox acquired in the last years. It's sort of strange that the Red Sox did this, as Richardson had a much better season, as he went 0-0/4.15/12. I hope this move works out for the Sox!

Werth A Shot?

Apparently, the Red Sox have reached out to Jayson Werth's agent and have surprised nobody in showing interest in Werth. Last season, Werth had a pretty good year, going .296/27/85. Werth's price range is expected to be somewhere around the price range of Jason Bay and Matt Holliday, making around $15 million a year. This would be a bit more than their current outfielders, J.D. Drew and Mike Cameron's contracts of $14 million and $7.5 million, however this is the last year of both of their contracts. The Red Sox have also expressed interest in Jason Varitek (.232/7/16) and Adrian Beltre (.321/28/102) as he had a great season with them. In my opinion, it would be awesome if they signed all three of them!

Red Sox Keep Big Papi For 2011!

Today, the Red Sox exercised their $12.5 million club option on David Ortiz. Hopefully some other time this offseason they can give him a multi-year option because I don't just want Papi on the Sox for 2011, I want Papi to be on the Sox until the end of his career! Tonight was also the deadline for the option to get picked up, and since the Sox and Ortiz couldn't reach common ground for a multi-year offer. Also, Scott Atchison's option, but declined the options for Bill Hall and Felipe Lopez. David Ortiz had a pretty good season this year at .270/32/102, but hopefully next year his average will improve a little. Big Papi is a great player and I'm glad we could keep him.

Farrell's Replacement Arrives

Today the Red Sox hired their replacement for John Farrell, former A's pitching coach Curt Young (right). This year, Young led the A's to an AL-low 3.58 ERA. Young has been the A's pitching coach for the past 7 years; while Farrell had been on the Sox for the past 4 years. Young denied the multi-year contract that the A's gave him, and he came to the Red Sox because the Red Sox (89-73) are a little bit better than the A's (81-81), even though the A's have better pitching. People who have worked with Young say he is an excellent pitching coach which is definitely a plus. I sure hope he works out for the Sox!

And The Giants Win The World Series!

Last night the Giants beat the Rangers in Game 5 of the World Series and are now 2010 World Series Champions! They won 3-1 on the back on Tim Lincecum (right) who went 8 innings, allowing 1 run, and striking out 10 men. Edgar Renteria went 1-3 with 3 RBIs, as he had a big home run. I really hope that the Sox can resign Papi, or do something, look for my blogwriting to go down if there isn't much news. I can't cover the playoffs anymore after all.