Red Sox On Verge Of Signing Crawford

Last night, the Red Sox came to terms with Carl Crawford that would send him to Boston for a 7 year stint! The contract would be worth $142 million over 7 years, which would give him an average of a little bit more than $20 million a year. In 2010, Crawford had a fantastic season, going .307/19/90 which was arguably his best season, as it gave him career highs in home runs and RBIs. He is also fabulously fast, as he stole 47 bases last year and 60 in 2010. There are a few implications to be worked out such as a physical, but other than a few things, the deal is basically complete. If this deal works out, which is appears it will, I think it will be the best move they've made since signing Manny Ramirez.

Red Sox Looking At Beltran, Ordonez

Today the Red Sox discussed a trade for outfield bat, Carlos Beltran (right) with the Mets. Beltran will receive $18.5 million in 2011, meaning the Mets will probably have to pay at least part of his contract as he is definitely not worth the money, as he went .255/7/27 last season, but he is a good player. Magglio Ordonez (left) is a free agent, who the Red Sox have been interested in for a while. He had a pretty good year last year, despite playing only 84 games, going .303/12/59. He is a free agent who will probably make between $10 and $15 million next year even though he is 37 years old. I'm not quite sure which one of these players I would rather have, but I would have to say Magglio Ordonez, just because he would cost less. In any case, I think they are both great players and I would be thrilled to get either one.

Red Sox Finalize Gonzalez Trade

This morning the Red Sox finalized the deal that will send Adrian Gonzalez to Boston in exchange for Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes. After a tumultuous weekend, the result we all wanted ended up happening when the Red Sox held a press conference this morning where the slugging first baseman tried on his new hat and jersey. Kevin Youkilis looks like he will be playing 3rd base next year while Adrian Gonzalez, who isn't too shabby on defense will take over on first base. I hope the Red Sox can work out a long contract extension with him so that this will be a long, happy relationship. I am very glad to be seeing Adrian Gonzalez in that new Red Sox hat!

Adrian Gonzalez Deal Is Back Again

I'm really confused, so first the Red Sox trade for Adrian Gonzalez, then they nix the deal, then they revive the trade. The slugging first baseman that went .298/31/101 last season is apparently going to come to Boston after all. The reason the Red Sox nixed the deal is they couldn't get a contract by 2:00 p.m. today, but they might have worked one out after all, but aren't going to announce it until April to avoid the luxury tax. I defnitely wouldn't want our top prospects to go for a one year option. Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes will end up in San Diego I suppose, hopefully it is worth it. I'm very happy about this deal and hopefully it actually happens this time.

Gonzalez Deal To Be Nixed

Well, the Red Sox got our hopes up again, the deal for Adrian Gonzalez was nixed today. The Red Sox could not work out a contract extension with Gonzalez so, at least for now, the trade is off. On the lighter side, we still have Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes; who were rated, respectively, #1, #3, and #6 in the Red Sox' farm system. Still, it was kind of depressing after all the news yesterday, him being a fantastic player, going .298/31/101 last season in a bad hitters' park. Next week are the Winter Meetings and the Red Sox seem to be looking for a big bat, like Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth, and some help in the bullpen, like Matt Guerrier or Scott Downs. The deal is off for now, but at least the Sox have their prospects.

Red Sox Trade Top Prospects For Adrian Gonzalez

This morning, the Red Sox appear to have worked out a deal that will send first baseman Adrian Gonzalez over to Boston for three high-end prospects. Adrian Gonzalez is a fantastic baseball player who the Sox have been looking at for several years and went .298/31/101. The Red Sox traded 3 of their best prospects, in Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes, but hopefully it will be worth it. In this move, Adrian Beltre will probably not be signed, and Kevin Youkilis will be moved the third base presumably. The Red Sox are probably going to work out a contract with Gonzalez because he will be a free agent after 2011, and is said to be looking for a Mark Teixeira-like contract, of 8 years for $160 million. All things considered, you can't imagine how happy I am that they made this move!

Red Sox Non-Tender Three Players

Yesterday the Red Sox non-tendered, or didn't offer a contract, to Hideki Okajima (right), Taylor Buchholz, and Andrew Miller. The last of these two were signed off-waivers by the Red Sox this offseason. Hideki Okajima was the biggest name in this because just 3 years ago, in 2008, he went 3-2/2.61/60 and the year before that, he went 3-2/2.22/63. However, Okajima was a lot worse this year going 4-4/4.50/33. Taylor Buchholz, 1-0/3.75/9 was actually not bad, while Andrew Miller's 1-5/8.54/28 was pretty bad. I'm a bit surprised the Sox didn't offer these people contracts but I suppose it might be for the best.

The Captain Returns Again!

Today, the Red Sox settled a deal with Jason Varitek so that he is going to return by signing a 1 year, $2 million contract. In 2010, Varitek went .232/7/16, hitting 7 home runs in the first two months as a backup but doing pretty badly from then out. He broke his right foot in June which hampered his performance for the rest of the season. I think at this point in his career, Jason Varitek is a better backup than a starter, and I think the Red Sox should go for Rod Barajas or somebody like that. However, I think he is probably a better option than Jarrod Saltalamacchia if Saltalamacchia continues the way he's been playing the last couple of years. I'm glad the Sox resigned Varitek, don't get me wrong, but they need a better catcher to complement him.

Crawford Meets With Red Sox

I never really thought the Red Sox were going to make a push for Carl Crawford, I always thought they were going to go more for Jayson Werth. However, today the Red Sox had a meeting with Carl Crawford in Houston. In 2010, Crawford had yet another fantastic season, going .307/19/90, along with an excellent 47 stolen bases. 2010 was actually probably Crawford's best hitting season, but in 2009, he stole 60 bases including 6 in one game against the Red Sox. Crawford will probably be looking for a similar contract to Matt Holliday's contract that he signed last offseason, for 7 years and $120 million. I think it would be great if they signed Crawford or Werth since they met with both of them.

Beltre and Lopez Reject Red Sox Arbitration

Yesterday, two of the players that the Red Sox offered arbitration last week, Adrian Beltre and Felipe Lopez. Beltre also declined Boston's $10 million option for 2011 a while ago, which means the Red Sox are going to have to offer him a big contract if the Sox want to keep him after his monster season of .321/28/102. Apparently he is seeking a contract close to the one Torii Hunter signed recently that was 5 years and $90 million, averaging $18 million a year. Adrian Beltre is also a Type A free agent, while Felipe Lopez is a Type B free agent, meaning that the Sox get a prospect if Beltre signs elsewhere but not if Lopez does. I hope the Sox can sign both of them, especially Beltre!