Day 1 of the Baseball Winter Meetings in Las Vegas is just about over and of course as you would expect, there’s some news that involves the Boston Red Sox.
As I thought yesterday with the trade of Gerald Laird to the Detroit Tigers from the Texas Rangers, the rest of the Rangers catchers are more than likely off the market. It will probably take a knock your socks off offer from the Red Sox to grab either Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden. One that would most likely have to include Clay Buchholz and/or Justin Masterson plus some other prospects. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com says that Clay Buchholz apparently is untouchable so this could complicate things.
Earlier I had written about the Red Sox talking with the Mets about a trade for Brian Schneider only to find out that it would probably not happen. Now it appears that it could be Plan B for the Red Sox. Jon Heyman still thinks the Red Sox will work out a deal to keep Jason Varitek in a Red Sox uniform.
Scott Boras thinks the trade of Laird actually will help Varitek.
Dan Roche doesn’t understand why Jason Varitek wouldn’t accept arbitration.
The Red Sox could also talk the Angels about Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli.
Alex Speier of WEEI.com takes a look at the catching market and what’s out there for the Red Sox.
Earlier on Monday, it appeared that free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett was going to sign with the Atlanta Braves. As the day went on, the Yankees became more involved with Burnett and now it appears the Red Sox are in the mix for Burnett as well.
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein met with one free agent pitcher during the day on Monday and everyone is wondering whether or not it was C.C. Sabathia. Jon Heyman thinks the Red Sox may have made an offer to him.
Theo also doesn’t expect the Red Sox to close anything while they are in Vegas. Epstein also added that the recoveries of Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo are on track.
Apparently the Red Sox also have some interest in former Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte.
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe has 5 recommendations for the Red Sox.
Buster Olney said he’d be shocked if the Red Sox don’t sign Rocco Baldelli.
Could the Red Sox go after Kerry Wood to setup for Jonathan Papelbon? Gordon Edes thinks so.
With Tigers signing Adam Everett yesterday, it appears any chance of Julio Lugo going to Detroit is off the table.
Luis Tiant was not selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee.
Terry Francona is confident the Red Sox will have a championship caliber team next year.
The broadcaster everyone hates, Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, apparently has a raging hard-on about Dustin Pedroia.
In other news, the Red Sox sold out all of their spring training games once again.
