11:19 p.m.: C.J. Wilson supposedly has a six-year deal on the table from some team. If that is the case, it’s still unclear from which that deal came from.
According to MLB.com’s Jim Duquette, the Washington Nationals are offering the left-hander a six-year deal.
However, Washington GM Mike Rizzo told ESPN’s Jim Bowden that he didn’t offer a six-year deal to Wilson.
So who knows. That’s the winter meetings for ya.
9:55 p.m.:Â The Red Sox are continuing their talks with David Ortiz, and it sounds like they’re making progress.
SI’s Jon Heyman recently tweeted this about the talks:
“[Red Sox] seem pretty confident they’ll get Ortiz back on 2-year deal assuming he doesn’t take [arbitration].”
The arbitration deadline is midnight Wednesday.
7:45 p.m.:Â The big question this week centers around where Albert Pujols will end up. We’ve heard plenty about the Marlins, and those talks won’t go away.
Ken Rosenthal says the Fish will meet with Pujols’ reps again Monday night, but the Cardinals are still in the mix.
6:52 p.m.:Â The list of free agent closers begins to dwindle.
Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Joe Nathan and Jonathan Broxton were all scooped up before the winter meetings.
Now, you can take Matt Capps’ name off that list, too.
The veteran right-hander has signed with the Twins on a one-year deal with an option, Jon Heyman reports.
6:30 p.m.:Â Here are a couple of more tidbits from around the league.
SI’s Jon Heyman reports the Mets will not trade third baseman David Wright this winter. They’ve gotten some offers, but nothing good. With Jose Reyes gone, Wright is New York’s only remaining star.
Unsurprisingly, Joe Maddon and the Rays are having talks to help the manager stay in Tampa for the foreseeable future. He’s one of the game’s best, and he’s making it clear that he wants to remain in St. Pete.
Ken Rosenthal reports that Hanley Ramirez wants to remain a shortstop, something that will be complicated by the Marlins signing Jose Reyes to a huge deal. Alas, Rosenthal says Ramirez will handle things “professionally.” We shall see…6:20 p.m.: Here are a couple more tidbits on the Red Sox starting pitching.
First of all, new manager Bobby Valentine just said on NESN that he spoke with Daniel Bard on Monday.
It doesn’t sound like any decision has been made about whether Bard will be a starter or reliever, but Valentine did say that he told Bard to physically prepare for starting.
Now, that doesn’t mean Bard will be a starter. If there’s any possibility that he’ll be in the rotation, it only makes sense for him to prepare to start, as doing so is more difficult than preparing to relieve again. It’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
On the C.J. Wilson front, it’s important to keep in mind — as it is with any rumors really — where the source of said rumors are coming from. The Red Sox are believed, in terms of rumors at least, to be interested in Wilson. However, The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham reports that Wilson’s representation is likely drumming up Boston’s interest in their client. That’s par for the course, and as Abraham points out, they did the same with the Yankees. After all, it can’t hurt to have those two teams “interested” in your client.
6:06 p.m.:Â There was talk that C.J. Wilson was offered a six-year deal by a team other than the Rangers. And although we still don’t know the identity of that team, the Red Sox could still be in the running for the left-hander’s services.
Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi reports that the Sox are “still involved” in the Wilson market. His colleague, Ken Rosenthal, reports that the Cubs have spoken with Wilson’s agent in an effort to gauge the market.
6:02 p.m.: Jerry Hairston Jr. is reportedly discussing a two-year deal with the Dodgers.
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the deal is not done yet, but the two sides are certainly talking.
5:35 p.m.: For those of you wondering about Hanley Ramirez’s role with the Marlins now that Jose Reyes is onboard and whether the former Red Sox farmhand would be made available: It appears that the Marlins will, in fact, keep him and move him to third base.
CBS Sports’ Danny Knobler reports that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria views Ramirez as “part of the plan, part of the core,” and that the Marlins intend to work with him as he changes positions. Loria reportedly called Ramirez a “super-professional.”
5:28 p.m.: For all of you with access to a TV set, you’re going to want to tune in to Red Sox Hot Stove Live on NESN at 6 p.m. Bobby Valentine will be appearing live from Dallas to provide an update on all of the day’s happenings.
4:43 p.m.: C.J. Wilson won’t come cheap, and if reports are true, he won’t be snagged for the short term.
According to Jeff Wilson (no relation?), Wilson was offered a six-year deal by a team other than the Rangers. Besides Texas, the “Angels, Marlins, Nationals, and a mystery team are currently in the mix” for Wilson.
4:26 p.m.: For Red Sox fans hoping the local team goes after pitcher C.J. Wilson this offseason, here’s some good news: The Nationals are more interested in Mark Buehrle and Roy Oswalt than they are in Wilson, reports Mark Zuckerman.
4:19 p.m.: Looking for an aging outfielder?
The Royals, Marlins, Twins, Athletics and Mariners reportedly are, as Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportesLosAngeles was told by Carlos Guillen’s agent Wilfredo Polidor that those teams were interested in his 36-year-old client.
4:09 p.m.: The Rays have now moved in on the Josh Willingham talks, reports Crasnick.
Talks are “serious,” too, so it sounds like Tampa will be giving Red Sox and other teams reportedly interested in J.W., a tough time trying to land the outfielder.
Rosenthal adds (of course he does) that the Rays “are not yet close” but are one of three or four finalist teams interested in him.
3:54 p.m.: Jed Lowrie’s name is reportedly swirling in Dallas.
Nick Cafardo tweeted that “a few teams” are asking about the Sox’ utilityman. Edes reports that the Braves aren’t among teams interested.
3:30 p.m.: Joe Maddon is meeting with the media, and he said he’s comfortable managing in the final year of his contract, according to NESN’s Tom Caron.
Much of the talk after Terry Francona and the Red Sox parted ways was the idea of a lame duck manager losing his power over the clubhouse. Sure, it’s a bit of a different situation down in Tampa, but you’d think the Rays have to lock that guy up for multiple years while they still can.
3:06 p.m.: The Rays will take calls on B.J. Upton but he won’t come free.
Buster Olney says Rays will have to be “overwhelmed” to move him.
2:54 p.m.: Want Yoenis Cespedes? It’ll cost ya.
According to Edes, he’s asking “double Chapman money,” meaning he wants $60 million.
2:31 p.m.: The Phillies met with Jimmy Rollins’ people on Monday but according to Jim Salisbury, the meeting “‘did not go all that well,’ according to a person with knowledge of the situation.”
The report indicates that Rollins isn’t baking away from his desire for a five-year deal.
2:02 p.m.: Could Manny Ramirez be making a return to the AL East? Sounds like there’s a (slim!) chance, as the Orioles spoke about the slugger at their meeting, says Rosenthal.
The Duke and Man-Ram reuniting in Balty?
2 p.m.: Could Theo sweep in and pull off the unthinkable?
No, because all of us were thinking it.
According to Heyman, the Cubs met today with Pujols’ agent, Dan Lozano.
1:49 p.m.: For those of us in Boston or New York thinking that King Felix could call either city his home should think again.
That’s because Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik won’t consider trading him, reports ESPN.
“Felix is going to be a Mariner, case closed,” the Mariners’ general manager told ESPNNewYork.com late Sunday night.
1:15 p.m.: Heyman says the Yankees want the White Sox’ 26-year-old lefty John Danks but they won’t be parting ways with either Jesus Montero or Manny Banuelos.
1:02 p.m.: The Cubs are getting some phone calls for Alfonso Soriano, says Heyman.
The 35-year-old will make $54 million through 2014, meaning Theo and the Cubbies will likely have to eat many many millions to move him.
12:51 p.m.: Sounds like the Phillies really want Aramis Ramirez and are even looking to move Placido Polanco to make some room, says Rosenthal.
12:31 p.m.: The Orioles are interested in Prince Fielder, according to Roch Kubatko.
General manager Dan Duquette tells MASN that the O’s “are interested in Fielder, but doesn’t want to get the fans’ hopes up.”
12:08 p.m.: Somewhere near the top of the Sox to-do list? Re-sign Big Papi, says Crasnick… At least that’s where their focus is.
11:44 a.m.: Here’s a good quote on Bobby V. that ESPN’s Gordon Edes got out of Tommy Lasorda.
“He was 18 when he came to play for me he was so smart it was [unbelievable].”
Good stuff, Gordo.
11:36 a.m.: The Red Sox could use a right-handed bat and Josh Willingham could be their guy.
According to Crasnick, “nine teams have called on Josh Willingham. The list includes the #Twins, #RedSox, #Indians and #Reds.”
11:17 a.m.: Albery Pujols will meet with The Fish on Monday or Tuesday, reports Jerry Crasnick. Could the Marlins land Reyes and Pujols in the same week?
10:55 a.m.: If “sources” are correct (aren’t they always?!), then the Sox will likely look into C.J. Wilson, as Jon Morosi’s sources say the pitchers’ best suitors “include the Nationals, Marlins, Rangers, Angels and Red Sox.“
10:45 a.m.: The Sox are looking at Huston Street, Andrew Bailey and Ryan Madson, according to Jon Morosi:
“#RedSox checking into trade possibilities [Bailey, Street] and free agents [Madson] in closer search, sources say.”
Morosi adds that they haven’t ruled out Daniel Bard as closer in ’12.
10:34 a.m.: The Phillies keep popping up in rumor mill, this time it’s Joe Capozzi reporting that Aramis Ramirez could be taking over third base in “The City” (…of Brotherly Love, that is).
Ramirez, according to the L.A. Times, could be speaking with the Angels, who are one of four or five teams with serious interest.
10:23 a.m.: Sounds like the Giants and Phillies will join the Red Sox among teams interested in Michael Cuddyer, says Jon Heyman.
10:10 a.m.: The Phillies are in talks with Jimmy Rollins’ agent, says Buster Olney, but the ESPN writer also keeps Brewers and Cardinals in the mix.
9:30 a.m.: Things aren’t looking good for the Mets. Heard this one before?
If and when the Mets lose Reyes to the Marlins, they’ll get basically nothing in return. Adam Rubin of ESPN explains below:
“If the Mets lose Reyes to Miami, they will get a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds created from thin air, plus the Marlins’ third-round pick, according to a Major League Baseball official. Yes, not a first-round pick or second-round pick. Third round. Here’s the explanation: Under the old and new systems, Miami’s first-round pick is protected, because it is ninth overall.”
6 a.m. ET: While it might be a stretch to say that World Series are won in the offseason, there’s no disputing the fact that moves made during the winter can play a big role when it comes to a team’s success in the upcoming season.
The Red Sox had a monster offseason last year, landing Adrian Gonzalez via a trade with the Padres and Carl Crawford via free agency. They’re not expected to make such huge moves this offseason, but they still have plenty of decisions to make.
The Sox need to decide whether to bring back David Ortiz and what to do when it comes to their right-field situation, the closer’s vacancy and the question marks surrounding the back end of the starting rotation. Many of those decisions could come in the next four days, as the MLB winter meetings convene in Dallas.
Even outside the organization, there’s going to be plenty to talk about. Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle are a few of the names out on the open market, while there are some other notables thought to be available via trade.
NESN.com has you covered during the winter meetings with up-to-the-minute rumors, commentary and analysis. Check back here for all the above.
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