In a move I didn’t understand at first, the Red Sox have offered their former closer, Keith Foulke, salary arbitration. Basically what that means they have until Dec 7th to come to terms with him. If he decides to sign with another team, then the Red Sox would receive a draft choice in the next draft. Essentially that was the main reason why the Red Sox offered Foulke salary arbitration.
Also it’s sad to say but Trot Nixon probably won’t be back in a Red Sox uniform next season. With the impending signing of J.D. Drew, the Red Sox must feel as though Nixon doesn’t fit in their plans. Plus his probable salary for next season ($6-8 million dollars), is a little high to be paying a 4th outfielder.
For those who don’t understand salary arbitration, basically what it means is that a team can offer it to any of their free agents. If they do offer it, they have until Dec 7th to come to terms with the player. If the player signs with another team, the team the free agent came from would receive a draft pick in the next years’ draft. By not offering the player arbitration basically all the team is losing is a draft pick. In year’s past, if a player wasn’t offered arbitration, he couldn’t re-sign with his old team until May 1st. Under baseball’s new labor agreement, this has changed and the player can re-sign at anytime.
The Red Sox also didn’t offer arbitration to Mark Loretta, Gabe Kapler, and Doug Mirabelli. One notable player, Barry Bonds, was not offered salary arbitration by the San Francisco Giants. Odds are he will finish his career and pursuit of Hank Aaron’s home run record in an A’s or Padres uniform.
There is no news to report on where Manny will play next year. Rumors have him going to San Diego now. Before he was being linked to the San Francisco Giants. I am sure this will heat up a little with the start of baseball winter meetings next week. I’ll be sure to keep you informed as information comes out.
