Every morning we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump...
Just because the Red Sox [team stats] have not been able to bring in another starter on a major league deal does not mean they have abandoned hope of doing so.
That is why they are still maintaining contact with the agent for free agent starter Roy Oswalt, an alluring remedy for the club’s starting pitching blues. Oswalt may be amenable to a one-year deal worth roughly $8 million.
The fact the Red Sox have not yet made a bold run to lock up Oswalt at that price could be a sign of how close the team is to breaking the $178 million luxury tax threshold.
That could help explain why word spread from the Rocky Mountains yesterday that the Rockies and the Red Sox had spoken about a deal to send shortstop Marco Scutaro and his $6 million salary to Colorado. A low-cost return would likely have been the Red Sox’ goal but the talks fizzled, according to the Denver Post.
Herald - Red Sox still searching
As Scott mentioned last week, Scutaro and Youk are about the only players whose salary we could dump if we wanted to make a run at Oswalt. And it appears as though the Sox attempted to do just that by offering Marco to the Rockies. And while I have no real attachment to Scutaro, creating a new hole to plug another isn't exactly wise. Sure, you could make Punto the everyday short stop (ugh) or slide Aviles in there, or even hand the reigns over to Iglesias prematurely. But none of those options are exactly appealing.
This does show us that the Sox are in no way content to head into the upcoming season with the rotation they currently have. Cherington has to be sweating right now, having the fate of his first season rest on the arm of a Cook, Silva or Padilla; not to mention Bard's successful transition from the pen. But this trade also shows us that the Sox are serious about needing to dump salary to take on a substantial contract.
But if Oswalt wants to come to Boston (and I have a good feeling he does. This really is the best situation for him), perhaps he'll be willing to give us a huge discount. This is a guy that earned $82 million over his past 6 seasons. Surely he can afford to pitch for $3 or $4 million for a season before cashing in one last time. What do you say, Roy?
On Page 2, Manny may actually get a job
The 39-year-old Ramirez has been working out in Miami since December and plans to have open workouts for interested major league clubs — and according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes Los Angeles, the A’s are “very interested” in making Ramirez their designated hitter in 2012.
“The Orioles and Blue Jays saw Manny work, and Baltimore liked what it saw, but Oakland has been the team that has expressed the most interest, even before having him work out,” a source told Rojas.
SI.com - Report: Oakland Athletics ‘Very Interested’ In Manny Ramirez
Did the A's see Manny's at-bats with Tampa last season? There weren't that many, surely they could find the time to watch each of them. And the A's do know what the 'H' in 'DH' stands for, right? Not to mention the fact that Manny is out for 50 games when/if he does come back.
Of course, one thing the A's struggle with is attendence and bringing in the Manny Ramirez experience is sure to sell some tickets. Maybe that's their angle, because it's certainly not trying to field the best baseball club.
Rest of the links:
CSNNE - Manny still on the market | Herald - Yu Darvish has right stuff in first appearance with Rangers | Globe - Scutaro talks signal that Cherington isn't done | WEEI - Valentine on beer-gate: 'Never on my watch'
Original Story:
