Let’s see, K-Rod signs a three year $37 million contract with the Mets. Do you care? Well a little. And when I say a little, I mean a tiny bit. See this is going to set the bar for future negotiations with Papelbon. Papelbon was hoping for a $15 million per like Mariano Rivera got, it’s looking like a market correction for correction for closers. Likely Papelbon will get $13 million per when his time comes.
So where do the Sox stand in the free agent carousel?
Starting Pitchers:
The Sox met with top free agent CC Sabathia but it seems it was just a courtesy visit as the Sox aren’t going to try and get in the mix for the pitcher expected to be the first free agent to sign. The Sox are in the mix for AJ Burnett which makes sense with the Florida connection he has with John Henry. It’s likely that the Braves will be the ones walking away with Burnett. One pitcher that’s being floated around is Brad Penny. This would be a great signing for the Sox. He’s a horse when healthy and could really help out the Sox rotation.
Other names being floated out there are Carl Pavano as a Wade Miller-esque signing. No thank you. And don’t think that Jake Peavy is coming to Boston. Rumor is that the Cubs have almost finally got this deal done adding Baltimore to the mix to make it happen.
Infield:
Look you had one of the best infields in baseball, especially on the right side. But rumor has it the Sox are still going to be the front runners in the Teixeira sweepstakes despite the Nationals attempt to lure the free agent first baseman home. Lugo is still with the team and rumor has it there’s no takers out there regardless of how much salary the Sox eat. Lowell is gone if the team signs Teixeira, they’ll likely get nothing for him either.
Outfield
Seems that the Coco trade makes Jacoby your starter coming into next season. WIth Bay in left and Drew in right the outfield is pretty much set for next year. Still waiting on that fourth outfielder. Baldelli would be a good fourth outfield as I think would Ken Griffey Jr. Look, Griffey’s pretty much on his fair well tour, why not pick up a ring on that trip?
Catcher
Obviously this is one that has most Sox fans paying attention. Varitek declined salary arbitration but that doesn’t mean he won’t be back. With Detroit trading for Gerald Laird from the Rangers it’s pretty clear that the Sox are the only team that really is in the running for Tek. One rumor had the Sox trading for Brian Schneider from the Mets. Um, no thank you. He’s not that much younger and doesn’t hit much better. I want a young guy!
I think that’s all that is for now for the Sox anyways. Hopefully the CC domino falls and that way the other free agent domino follow suit. Let’s hope the Sox are the beneficiaries.
