NESN.com » Jen Slothower Rumors

Report: Ryan Dempster Turns Down Two-Year Offer From Red Sox

Jen Slothower — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:29:44 +0000

The Red Sox are at least looking for starting pitching. The question now is whether they’ll be able to scoop up free agents for the rotation as quickly as they have for the outfield.

At least one pitcher Boston has reached out to, Ryan Dempster, appears to be out of the running. Gordon Edes of ESPN reports that Dempster has turned down a two-year, $25 million offer from the Red Sox. Dempster is thought to be looking for a three-year deal, which other teams may be willing to give.

Dempster, 35, became a capable starter for the Cubs after switching from the bullpen in 2008, and he filled in well for the Texas Rangers down the stretch last season. But the Red Sox have been careful about the length of deals they’ve handed out lately, and they may be unwilling to go for more than two years with a pitcher who is getting up in years.

Report: Kevin Youkilis, Yankees Discussing One-Year Deal as Alex Rodriguez Expects to Miss Significant Time With Injury

Jen Slothower — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:48:02 +0000

Johnny Damon was hard enough to imagine in pinstripes. Dirt dog Kevin Youkilis? That’s even tougher.

But it could be happening, as the Yankees are looking for someone to take care of third base while Alex Rodriguez gets hip surgery for the second time in four years.

The Yankees announced Monday that Rodriguez will have surgery on his left hip in the coming weeks, with rehab time expected to leave him out of baseball for four to six months.

Enter Youkilis.

With ARod out, Yanks have spoken with Kevin Youkilis's agent. Word is that Youk would consider 1-year deal if money was at premium amount.
—
Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 04, 2012

Youkilis was traded to the White Sox last year as his production declined and he butted heads with Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. While Youkilis helped Chicago nearly take the American League Central, his production has been down in recent years, and he finished last season batting just .235. The White Sox chose not to pick up his option for 2013.

The Yankees need a lot of help in the infield heading into next season. Derek Jeter is out for some time after breaking his foot in the American League Championship Series, and New York does not have key third base backup Eric Chavez under contract for another year. The Yankees are reportedly not thrilled enough with the play of Eduardo Nunez or Ramiro Pena to give them more than spot duty in the infield.

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Report: Tim Tebow Traded to the Jets (For Sure This Time)

Jen Slothower — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:14:57 +0000

After a day presumably spent trying on different shades of green to see whether he would be better suited for the New York Jets or the Jacksonville Jaguars, it looks like Tim Tebow is definitely headed to New York.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to trade Tebow and a seventh-round pick to the Jets for fourth- and sixth-round picks, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter, who also said Tebow was being given a choice in where he would land.

The trade to the Jets was first reported Wednesday afternoon but was then called off, reportedly over New York not knowing that Tebow’s contract had $5 million worth of "recapture language," meaning the Jets would have to pay money back to the Broncos as part of the deal. That was also reportedly the sticking point for the Jaguars. The Jets are now willing to pay the $5 million, according to Schefter.