A couple of guys that were loosely connected to the Red Sox recently are on the move.
Bobby Abreu signed a 2-year extension with the Angels practically minutes after the World Series was over. Abreu will reportedly make $19M in guaranteed money: $9MM in 2010 and 2011, plus a $1MM buyout of a $9MM option for 2012 that could vest based on plate appearances.
Abreu can handle right field, but some think he might DH for the Halos if Vladimir Guerrerro leave town.
Abreu would have been a nice back-up plan to Jason Bay or Matt Holliday for the Red Sox, but it’s not surprising the Angels retained him – Abreu’s patient approach made the small-ball Halos a more well-rounded team.
The White Sox bought out Jermaine Dye’s 2010 option for $950K. Dye hit .302 with 20 ding dongs in the first half in this season, but disappeared down the stretch. The Chi Sox have added Mark Teahen, who can play both OF and 3B, but it looks like the White Sox want him at third… and Gordon Beckham at second.
The Red Sox just added Hermida to the squad, so the only way I see Dye coming to Boston is if Theo can’t sign Bay or Holliday. That said, it should be noted that Dye has never played left field in his career and his UZR rating has been hovering in the -20 range since 2006.
Maybe the Angles will take a flyer on Dye as a DH if Vladdy leaves…
With Jed Lowrie nursing a bothersome wrist injury and Alex Gonzalez sitting on a $6M option, the Red Sox continue to search for a good solution at short stop. Some though J.J. Hardy offered some pop with 25 HR, 90 RBI potential, but his career .262 BA and .751 OPS numbers never impressed me much.
The point is now moot thanks to a trade between the Brewers and Twins that will make Hardy the short stop in Minnesota and the speedy Carlos Gomez the center fielder in Milwaukee.
Free Agent Orlando Cabrera now knows that he will be looking for a new home, and despite his work in 2004, I’m all set with bringing Cabrera back to Boston. Re-sign Gonzo and move on to the bigger fish Theo.
Lastly… if any of you were hoping the Red Sox would try and steal Brandon Webb from Arizonza while he is still inujured, you’re out of luck. The D-backs exercised Webb’s $8.5M option and expect him to be ready for Spring Training after surgery this August.
Webb (30) did decline an extension beyond 2010… if he bounces back from surgery well, he would be a possible fit for Boston, should the Sox decide to let Josh Beckett walk.
