Red Sox Offseason Tracker

[Fishercat]

This is just a quick resource for major, Red Sox related, off-season moves.

Daisuke Matsuzaka
-Still unsigned with only a week or so to get his contract. He is coming to America this weekend in the hopes of making a deal with the high-spending Sox after the Drew and Lugo signings. Mats has reportedly said that he doesn't want to go back to Japan.

J.D. Drew
-Signed with the Red Sox for 5 years at 70 million dollars and, if Manny is not dealt, is expected to hit in the five-slot and play either center or rightfield (I'm thinking right)

He hit .283 with 20 HRs and 100 RBIs in LA last year, where he generally avoided injury. As long as he avoids injury (a big as long as...), he'll be a valuable piece.

-This creates a logjam. Basically, it's four OF for three spots with Ramirez and Drew being guaranteed two of them on opening day. That means Pena and Crisp will be fighting for the CF or RF spot. I hope the Sox keep both for the inevitable Manny fit/Drew injury.

Julio Lugo
-Signed with the Red Sox for 4 years at 36 million dollars with a vested option for year five. Most people expect Julio to lead off for the Red Sox while starting at shortstop, hopefully giving him a steady role and bringing him to his Tampa days

-He struggled mightily in LA with a 40 (!) OPS+ as he was essentially a super-sub. However, he had a great stint in Tampa prior to that, posting career highs in average, OBP, and SLG for 2006. If he can put that up in Fenway, he'll be worth the 9 mil. If he can get his OPS to an average level, the Sox should take it.

-This deal moves Pedroia to a position where he'll do better, second base. It also relegates Alex Cora (see below) to backup MI.

-The Julio Lugo signing costs the Red Sox the 20th overall pick in the MLB Draft according to Sons of Sam Horn's projection, I believe they're right.

Alex Cora
-Cora signed a 2 year/4 mil deal early in the off-season with the Red Sox to remain as their backup middle infielder

Hideki Okajima
-The Red Sox less-heralded Japanese import signed a 2 year/3.5 million dollar deal to pitch in the pen for the Sox. He projects to be a set-up man who should be good for a couple years. The thirty-year old lefty had a 2.14 ERA in 54.2 IP last year for the Nippon Ham Fighters. His success and range from lefty specialist to set-up man may be determined by how long it takes MLB players to figure out his curve.

Super Joe McEwing
Championship level minor league signing fo sho.

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Ted Lilly
-Signed with the Cubs for 4/40, so instead of owning the Sox 4-5 times a year, he'll see them once every three years if he pitches in the Cubs/Sox series. Victory.

Alex Gonzalez
-Signed with the Reds for 3/15, will likely be their starting SS while being paired with Brandon Phillips.

-Gonzalez' departure as a Type B FA gives the Red Sox, supposedly, a 1st round supplemental pick (no fee from the Reds). The Sox first pick should be in the Supplemental first round

Keith Foulke
-Still unsigned after two injury hindered years, and he declined the Sox offer for arbitration, so the Sox will get a pick if he goes to another club. He is being courted, so far, by the D-Backs and Indians

Gabe Kapler
-Free agent who usually finds his way back in Boston, although the Sox declined arbitration to him. He wants to come back.

Mark Loretta
-Pretty much guaranteed to leave and has been courted by Cincy, among others. He would be a platoon/backup at most infield positions there. He would only backup Pedroia and Lugo in Boston. The Padres have also showed interest. According to Rotoworld, he was not offered arbitration, even as a Type A guy.

Doug Mirabelli
-Any value he has is in Boston with Wakefield, so who knows. The Sox will talk with Belli's agent

Trot Nixon
-The longest tenured Red Sox seems to have been ignored by Red Sox management for the equally injury prone J.D. Drew (not so much recently). He was not even offered arbitration, I'm assuming, in the fear that he would take the money and the offer. The Pirates have been looking to add Nixon behind Bay in the lineup

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Jon Lester
-Happily, his cancer seems to have remissed and he wants to be at ST for 2007. An insane recovery if it happens, but it's simply good news that he's getting better.

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Eric Gagne
Oft-rumored Eric Gagne has been in talks with the Red Sox, few details are available.

[BoSox34]

Jon Lester
-Happily, his cancer seems to have remissed and he wants to be at ST for 2007. An insane recovery if it happens, but it's simply good news that he's getting better.

This has been the best offseason news, hopefully he can be ready at some point during spring training.

[Fishercat]

Agreed on Lester.

The posted Gagne details have been added

[brewersfan19]

Awesome news about Lester. It is nice to hear about recoveries from cancer or another other illness or diseases. I hope he does well in the future, especially with his life!