Red Sox Winter Meetings Update: Day 1
It has been a wild day of rumors at Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, and the Sox are involved in a bunch of them. They signed one player already: 34-year-old relief pitcher Scott Atchison, who spent the last two years pitching in Japan. ESPN.com’s Gordon Edes reported that Atchison will be paid $420K in 2010, with club options for $440K and $600K.
Here’s a look at what else is going on…
Casey Kelly
Red Sox super-prospect Casey Kelly has reportedly decided to pursue a career as a pitcher in the major leagues. He came to the Sox as a rare “P/SS” but after a year of playing both positions in Single-A (2.08 ERA as a pitcher, combined .222/.302/.340/.642 as a shortstop), he decided his best chance for success with the Red Sox would be as a pitcher.
“He’s as excited about his future on the mound as we are,” said Epstein. “I don’t think you could ever expect a 19-year-old pitcher to go out and do what he did. It’s a pretty impressive debut…I think he sees he’s relatively close to the big leagues, certainly for his age, and has a chance to make an impact in this organization. … Maybe he agreed with us in the end that this was his chance to make the most profound impact on the organization.”
Adrian Gonzalez
The Red Sox will reportedly have to look elsewhere for a power hitter. Why? New Padres GM Jed Hoyer (the former Sox assistant GM) told WEEI’s Lou Merloni it would be ludicrous to trade Gonzalez now, with the slugger due to make $4.75 million in 2010 with a club option for $5.5 million in 2011. Hoyer did admit it would be difficult to retain Gonzalez.
Other Rumors
- According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Red Sox are one of a number of teams interested in acquiring for free agent first baseman Nick Johnson.
- Jim Leyland told the Herald’s John Tomase that there will be no fire sale with the Tigers, meaning Miguel Cabrera will likely not be headed to the Sox. Despite the lack of a fire sale, the Tigers are rumored to be taking offeres for Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, and the Red Sox are not involved in those talks.
- According to several sources, the Angels and Mariners are interested in Jason Bay.
- The Herald’s Michael Silverman said the Red Sox have inquired about free agent Ron Mahay, who last pitched for the Sox back in 1997 and 1998.
- Silverman also said the Sox met with the agent for pitchers Rafael Soriano and Kelvim Escobar.
About KC Downey
KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey
Tags: Adrian Gonzalez, Casey Kelly, Hot Stove, Kelvim Escobar, Miguel Cabrera, Nick Johnson, Rafael Soriano, Red Sox, Ron Mahay, Scott Atchison, Winter Meetings
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Not to nitpick, but Nick Johnson’s a free agent, so the Sox wouldn’t have to trade anything to acquire him. And he was with the Marlins at the end of last year.
Buchholz Surfer – Thanks for the correction. I forgot the trade to the Marlins at the end of the year (seemed like a strange, meaningless move).