More news from the Red Sox this afternoon concerning a few contract matters.
The Red Sox have picked up the options on Tim Wakefield and Julian Tavarez for the 2008 seasons. Kevin Cash declined his assignment to Pawtucket and has elected to become a free agent.
With the Red Sox picking up Wakefield’s option, the pitching rotation under contract for next season consists of Wake, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz. Bringing back Schilling would only strengthen the starting rotation. The Red Sox could also explore a #4/5 starter in free agency or via a trade.
It could be possible that the Red Sox will let Tavarez compete for a starting position but I think he will end up in the bullpen.
The two guys that caught Wake this year, Doug Mirabelli and Cash, are now both free agents. With both of them having proved they can catch the knuckler, it is highly likely that one of them will be back with the Sox in 2008.
The Red Sox also announced that they have received the player to be named later in the deal that sent Joel Piñero to the St. Louis Cardinals. They received outfielder Sean Danielson. Danielson will be assigned to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs roster.
