What Do We Know Speculate?

This is an odd winter meetings. There's not really that One Big Trade on which everyone is focusing (like the Santana fiasco last year), and the Red Sox for their part are involved in speculation on several fronts: Teixiera, catcher, shortstop, third base, outfield and starting pitcher. Can you imagine if they'd actually failed to make the playoffs?

With the second day of the 2008 winter meetings winding down, here's a rundown of some of the more credible rumors/reports, broken down by relevant category:

Catcher

• The Red Sox are discussing a trade with the Mets for Brian Schneider, which would seem to indicate talks with the Rangers are dormant, at least for now (though we now know Nolan Ryan really likes Clay Buchholz).
• The Diamondbacks may have decided not to trade either Miguel Montero or Chris Snyder, apparently sometime after the Sox turned down an offer of Montero for Michael Bowden.
• The Orioles traded Ramon Hernandez to Cincinnati, seemingly further depleting the number of teams who could be interested in the services of Jason Varitek.
• And still no real rumors of any interest in Varitek.

Mark Teixeira

• The Angels believe they are out of the bidding, conceding to the Red Sox. 
• Or the Nationals. 
• Or not at all. 

C.C. Sabathia

• A lot of rumors, no real news, except this: the Yankees, Brewers, Angels and Red Sox have all made offers, the Giants may make an offer, and no one really knows a damn thing about which team is the front-runner.

 The other pitchers

• A.J. Burnett's agent says the Red Sox have had "significant dialogue" with his client (but no one expects the Sox to deviate from their "no long-term deals for aging pitchers" policy).
• The Yankees have told Burnett they will "do better" than the current high offer from Atlanta of 4/$60M with a vesting fifth year option; the Blue Jays have said they will not.
• The Yankees are also negotiating with Derek Lowe, and terms center around four years and more than $16 million per annum. The Phillies are also mentioned as making a big push. No mention of the Red Sox.
• The Yankees are also reportedly preparing an offer to Ben Sheets -- two years, $26 million. 
• Meanwhile, the Red Sox have knocked on the door of Carl Pavano.

Misc.

• The Red Sox are all but certain to sign Rocco Baldelli -- unless they're not. 
• And Tony Massarotti should probably stick to reporting about the Red Sox and leave the national work to Nick Cafardo. He and San Jose's Andrew Baggarly probably have had better days.

Comments

[sam-YF]

PeteAbe is now stipulating there is perhaps some movement on the CC situation right now....I guess cashman backed out on a meeting with the press for an off-site meeting with an agent. Very interesting....

[Paul SF]

Yeah, Pete Abe says the meeting was with -- or at least concerned -- Sabathia. Seems promising for NY. Boo. ;-)

[Paul SF]

Ahh, Newsday says Cashman went to San Fran to meet the pitcher there -- and maybe to talk to his wife.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spwebyanks1210,0,3840560.story

[sam-YF]

some more info...

Brian Cashman is meeting with CC Sabathia in the San Francisco area tonight. It was a last-minute meeting, not sure who requested it, but a number of sources have confirmed the meeting to Newsday.

from Kat O'Brien/Newsday

[sam-YF]

sorry for the cross-post there paul...

[John - YF]

Few things...

I will believe CC is a Yankee, when he is a Yankee. All signs look good right now, but you never know.

I wonder if Theo even approached the Orioles in regards to Ramon Hernandez? He's not the long term answer that Salty or Montero are, but he's certainly better than Tek.

I am a HUGE Ben Sheets fan. Have been for quite some time, but I don't know how I feel about having him on the Yankees. I know Girardi loves him and that his stuff is sick, but his health concerns me (Thanks Capt. Obvious.) The other thinking is he could be had relatively cheap for 2 years as opposed to Burnett and Lowe who will come at a higher price for a longer period of time. My heart says go for it, but my head says Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano, etc...

[John - YF]

"but he's certainly better than Tek."

To clarify, I mean 2009 Tek, not overall track record.