MLB Trade Deadline: Mike Lowell Reportedly Nearly Traded To Yankees

Mike Lowell, who hasn't played a game for the Red Sox since June 22 and spent the past week rehabbing with Pawtucket, was a bargaining chip that Boston was trying to trade before Saturday's deadline. And according to Ken Rosenthal, Lowell was reportedly almost shipped to New York.

In the deal, which foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal says was discussed Friday, Boston would have traded Lowell to Texas. The Rangers, with the Sox' knowledge, would have then shipped Lowell to New York. The Yanks -- with whom Lowell began his career -- would have used him as a backup to both Alex Rodriguez at third base and Mark Teixeira at first base and as their right-handed DH.

No word on what the Red Sox would have received.

As it is, Lowell continues in limbo, still a member of the Red Sox, but not yet activated.

MLB Trade Deadline: Red Sox Make Bullpen Moves, Add Catching Depth

The Red Sox didn't make any big moves at the 2010 MLB Trade Deadline, but they were at least active, pulling off a handful of minor moves:

• LHP Felix Doubront will be moving from Pawtucket's rotation to the bullpen, and after a bit will be called up and join Boston's pen
• Red Sox called-up top prospect OF Ryan Kalish (and LHP Dustin Richardson). To make room for him, Jeremy Hermida was designated for assignment
• Addition by subtraction, perhaps: Ramon Ramirez was traded to the Giants in return for Daniel Turpen, a AA pitcher
• Finally, at the last minute, they traded a pair of prospects (plus a player to be named later and cash considerations) for the Rangers' Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a catcher who was struggling in AAA

Get more news and reaction at Over The Monster.

MLB Trade Rumors: Hours Before The 4 P.M. Deadline, Red Sox Aren't Optimistic

We're now less than three hours from Saturday's 4 P.M. MLB trade deadline, and the Red Sox are becoming less optimistic about making a deal before then.

The price for relievers was still enormous, but that may come down this afternoon closer to the 4 p.m. deadline. If it does, the Red Sox might be able to land a reliever, but for now the plan is for lefty Felix Doubront to start working out of the bullpen in Pawtucket and at some point have both Doubront and Michael Bowden up with the major league team.

The Sox passed on Chad Quails (who the Diamondbacks shipped to the Rays today) because they felt he wasn't that much better than Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez or Hideki Okajima. One option that still remains is Kerry Wood, whom the Indians just activated Saturday morning (he had been on the DL with a blister on his finger).

This is a player the Red Sox might monitor for a few days to see how his finger is doing. Wood could be had for minimal player price but you'd have to be willing to pick up the remainder of the $10.5 million remaining on his contract and deal with an option year next year. Wood hadn't had a great year, but he still throws hard and had allowed only one run over his last six outings before shutting it down on July 11th.

And of course, the Sox may opt to do nothing at all before the deadline, instead choosing to wait until August to pick up a player they're confident will pass through waivers.

Help From Within: Sox Reportedly Moving Felix Doubront To The Bullpen

The Red Sox have been actively searching for relief help this week, with the MLB trade deadline approaching, and so far, have come up empty. No Trevor Hoffman, Scott Downs or Kerry Wood (at least, not yet). So it makes sense then that Boston would look within.

According to Alex Speier at WEEI, Felix Doubront will head to the bullpen in the hopes of providing some much needed help out there (Boston's bullpen is sporting a robust 4.43 ERA, to go along with the most home runs allowed in the A.L. and the second-most blown saves).

Doubront, a 22-year old left handed starting pitcher, has made three spot starts for Boston this season (1-2, 4.11 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 15.1 IP), and the Red Sox had hoped to keep him in the rotation in Pawtucket, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

However, with the team's ongoing bullpen struggles, the Sox have committed to shifting him to relief for the remainder of the year, a process that will begin immediately. According to the sources, Doubront's shift to relief will occur regardless of whether the Sox make any moves to acquire bullpen help. [...]

With the Sox lacking an effective lefty in the bullpen right now (given the struggles of Hideki Okajima), his potential to contribute as a reliever became increasingly appealing to the Sox, particularly given the available options on the trade market.

MLB Trade Rumors: Deal Possible Between Red Sox And Padres?

While the often-rumored deal for Adrian Gonzalez is long since dead and buried (at least for this season), don't completely count out a trade occurring 2010 between the Red Sox and Padres.

Boston needs bullpen help, and San Diego has Joe Thatcher, a lefty who in 32 games (he just came off the DL) had a WHIP of 0.68 with a 1.74 ERA.

Nothing is etched in stone, but the the two teams appear to be a good fit given their respective needs. The Padres are looking for a middle infielder and Padres GM Jed Hoyer has familiarity with Jed Lowrie from their Boston days.

He's also looking fror an outfielder and the Sox will have some excess in the form of Jeremy Hermida, Bill Hall and Darnell McDonald when Jacoby Ellsbury returns in a week to 10 days (or so is the hope).

Red Sox Leaving No Stone Unturned In Search For Bullpen Help

The Red Sox have been looking high and low for relief help, checking in on trade candidates from a number of teams. Nick Cafardo has a long, if not comprehensive list:

The Red Sox expect to do something to help their bullpen by the trading deadline Saturday afternoon. Toward that end they’ve explored everyone from Rafael Perez, Will Ohman, Mike Gonzalez, Matt Capps, Michael Wuertz, Craig Breslow, Sean Marshall, Kerry Wood, David Aardsma and Kyle Farnsworth to name a few.

There’s a good mix of names in there, but only a few really stand out as impact talent. The Sox have said time and again that they won’t overpay for a reliever, however, so picking up a buy-low candidate like Woods or Aardsma could be all they’re willing to do.

MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Still Trying To Deal Ramon Ramirez

It’s no secret that the Red Sox are looking to add a piece to their bullpen, but it looks like they may also be looking to remove one. The Red Sox, who had almost traded Ramon Ramirez for Rod Barajas before the catcher suffered an injury, are still looking to deal the reliever to the Mets, possibly for a minor leaguer.

Dealing Ramirez might appear to be addition by subtraction, given his 4.57 ERA. But with two solid months out of the pen in June and July, it might not make a whole lot of sense to get rid of one of their more reliable relievers in recent months unless the return is good, and they have a replacement in mind.

MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Interested In Wuertz

The Red Sox have another candidate in their search for bullpen help in Oakland Athletics reliever Michael Weurtz, according to Nick Cafardo.

Weurtz, 31, is coming off a career year in 2009, when he posted a 2.63 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 78 innings. He hasn’t been nearly as effective in 2010 after an injury kept him sidelined to start the season, but is finishing up a strong July.

Weurtz is under contract at an affordable rate for 2011, with a team option for 2012. The Sox might run into the same problems in Oakland as they have elsewhere, though, as the A’s aren’t looking to unload the reliever unless they’re blown away.

MLB Trade Rumors: Jayson Werth To Boston Is Like 'Chasing A Ghost'

If you were holding out hope that the Red Sox would land the Phillies' Jayson Werth in a trade, you can probably go ahead and exhale now. According to Gordon Edes, who cites "a major league source with direct knowledge," he was "chasing a ghost" when he asked if Boston was close to acquiring the outfielder who has 13 home runs this season. 

No word yet on MLB's policy regarding actually having a ghost play for you. Ghost runners are legal, obviously, but past that, who can say for sure.

Little Point In Selling For The Red Sox

MLB Trade Rumors: If Red Sox Want Scott Downs, It Will Take An 'Elite Prospect'

The Red Sox bullpen has a 4.44 ERA, 11th (out of 14 teams) in the American League, and its 14 blown saves are tied for the second-most in the A.L. this season. In short, Boston's bullpen has been a problem, and it may become a need addressed by Theo and Co. at the trade deadline.

According to WEEI, the Red Sox may be interested in the Blue Jays left-handed reliever Scott Downs, who could essentially serve as a replacement for Hideki Okijima, who has struggled in 2010 with a 5.81 ERA. However, any deal for Downs would likely require giving up an "elite prospect."

The Jays can aim high on Downs in part because he likely will be a Type A free agent following this season, meaning that he could net two draft picks should he reject an arbitration offer and sign elsewhere in free agency, just as was the case with the Sox and Wagner a year ago. Even so, to date, the Sox and other clubs have balked at parting with a top prospect for a middle reliever, leading the source to conclude that any deal involving Downs seems unlikely "until just before the deadline if at all."

Epstein has already gone on record as saying he'd prefer not to deal top prospects for uncertain relief help.

Rockies Reportedly Turn Down Jed Lowrie For Chris Iannetta Deal

Actively searching for some help at the catcher position, the Red Sox reportedly offered shortstop Jed Lowrie for the Rockies' Chris Iannetta. Colorado said "no thanks," according to Peter Gammons.

Gammons also said that the Rockies are not shopping Iannetta.

One reason as to why the Rockies may be leaning towards keeping the 27-year-old is that he could potentially play first base if incumbent Todd Helton, who has battled back and hamstring issues this season, doesn't last in his return from the disabled list.

Lowrie is rehabbing after missing the first part of 2010 with mono. n 10 games split between Lowell and Pawtucket, Lowrie is batting .367 with a .447 OBP.

Red Sox Still Interested In Chris Iannetta

The Red Sox still have interest in Chris Iannetta, per a Ken Rosenthal report.

While earlier in the season Iannetta made sense no matter what—with David Ortiz slumping out of the gate, Victor Martinez could have moved to DH—now he only makes sense in the off-season, since the Red Sox are currently set at first, third, catcher, and designated hitter, or if they end up as sellers.

Red Sox Targeting Marlins Outfielder Cody Ross, Reliever Leo Nunez

The Red Sox’ efforts to strengthen their outfield and bullpen continue, with the most recent targets being Florida Marlins outfielder Cody Ross, and closer Leo Nunez.

Nunez is having a breakout season, with a career low in ERA and a career high in strikeout rate. Since the closer is still under team control for two more years, it’s likely he would come with a high cost.

Cody Ross, on the other hand, is not having a particularly impressive season, with a .740 OPS thanks largely to a power drought. He plays all three outfield positions, but doesn’t really have the ability to cover center field.

Luxury Tax May Prevent Red Sox From Blockbuster Trade

According to FanHouse's Ed Price, the Red Sox may not be able to make a splash at the trade deadline because of the luxury tax:

While we don't normally think of the Red Sox as having financial limitations, the issue, the source said, is Major League Baseball's "luxury tax," officially known as the Competitive Balance Tax, or CBT.

That tax, which in the Red Sox' case would be 22.5 percent of every dollar over $170 million in payroll, is based on the so-called "actual club payroll," not the Opening Day payroll. So the pro-rated salaries of any players acquired in a trade would count toward that figure.

Boston ownership is so concerned about not paying luxury tax that the team waited until after Opening Day to sign Josh Beckett to a contract extension so his CBT salary figure would not go up in 2010.

The Red Sox are expected to go after an outfielder or a reliever -- but a cheap one at that:

The Associated Press listed Boston's Opening Day payroll as $162.7 million, although the luxury-tax figure will also include players on the 40-man roster and players' benefit.

Thus, the Red Sox are about tapped out. The source said the front office would have to "jump through hoops" -- make a strong case to ownership -- just to add $500,000 in salary over the rest of the season. That's the equivalent of a player making $1.1 million for the year.

Paying luxury tax this year would make Boston liable to a 30 percent luxury tax on payroll over $178 million in 2011, when Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester are due for raises.

Rangers May Still Be Interested in Mike Lowell?

Months after the initial deal was called off due to injury concerns, the Texas Rangers may still have interest in Red Sox corner infielder Mike Lowell, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford.

The Rangers aren’t exactly well stocked at first base, with Justin Smoak having been included in the Cliff Lee deal and Chris Davis not producing at all.

Over the offseason, the Red Sox and Rangers discussed a Lowell for Max Ramirez deal, with the Red Sox paying a majority of Lowell’s $12 million salary. While Lowell hasn’t taken advantage of the few opportunities he’s had to showcase himself, the Rangers could look to him as a last option if they can’t find help elsewhere or cheap enough.

Theo Epstein Not Impressed With Trade Options

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is not exactly impressed with this year’s trade market:

I don’t think it’s the greatest crop in the world of available players. If you compare this year’s likely crop to last year’s, for example, there’s a big difference.

Thanks to the close division races throughout baseball, many expected sellers are now looking to make a playoff push, keeping their players off the market. The man everyone expected to be the top prize, Adrian Gonzalez, is currently on the NL West leading Padres—a division where the fourth place team is just four games out.

With fewer than half of the MLB’s teams in “sell” mode, all-star options like the kind the Red Sox picked up last year in Victor Martinez are scarce. But that doesn’t mean Epstein isn’t paying attention:

You’re not always out there to acquire an All Star-type. You can sometimes get a nice role player, who happens to be a nice fit for your club, which is a good thing because there aren’t too many All Star-type players out there right now.

Right now, role players are really what the Red Sox need. When healthy, the Red Sox’ starting lineup and rotation is pretty well set in stone. Instead, they have to be looking for a more reliable bench (as well as the current group has performed, it is rather rudely constructed) and, most importantly, a decent group of relief pitchers to back up the back end of the pen. And there’s no question Theo is searching for those missing pieces:

"We’re always active looking. It’s really the same position we’ve been every year," Epstein said. "Our job is to be as thorough as possible, find any possible fit to make us better."

Royals Asking Price For DeJesus High

The Red Sox are interested in David DeJesus, but the Royals’ asking price may be prohibitively high.

With DeJesus being relatively cheap and under team control for one more year, the Royals are in no hurry to unload their outfielder, and would have to “win” any trade involving DeJesus. Given that they’re looking for a multi-player package including Major League ready talent, it’s getting more difficult to imagine a scenario which has the Red Sox paying that bill.

Red Sox Reportedly Looking At Royals OF David DeJesus

With Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury both seeing lengthy stints on the disabled list in 2010 -- with the latter still there, with no real sign of return any time soon -- it would make sense for the Red Sox to pursue another outfielder before the MLB trade deadline, and apparently that is just what they're doing.

According to Fox Sports, Boston has had discussions about the Royals' David DeJesus (beginning on July 4), with thinking that it could lead to a trade. Per the report, Kansas City has been busy scouting the Red Sox' minor-league system.

A rival executive said recently that the Royals wanted "to hit a home run" if they traded DeJesus, who is earning $4.7 million this season and can be retained on a $6 million club option in 2011. [...]

DeJesus’ .326 batting average ranks seventh in the American League. His .395 on-base percentage ranks eighth. His .855 OPS, if he sustained it all season, would be a career-high.

The addition of DeJesus could serve as more than outfield insurance in 2010, however. It could mean the end of Ellsbury in Boston.

The 30 year-old former fourth round draft pick has played in 85 of the Royals’ 88 game this season and has seen time at all three outfield positions. DeJesus’ .326 batting average and .395 on-base percentage rank seventh in the American League and his 107 hits is tied with the Red Sox‘s leading hitter, Adrian Beltre, for sixth in the A.L. If he continues at his current pace at the plate in 2010, David will set career-highs in nearly every major offensive statistic including BA, OBP, SLG [.460], OPS [.855] and OPS+ [133] -- all while playing in a lineup that offers less-than comparable protection when side-by-side with Boston’s.

Even if Ellsbury and Cameron are both healthy and back in the lineup by the end of August as most reports suggest -- and Drew can continue to stave off the injury bug -- would production like DeJesus’ not represent an upgrade at least somewhere out there? Perhaps shifting Ellsbury back to centerfield and placing DeJesus in left for the remainder of 2010 would be the most ideal scenario. You wouldn’t lose too much at either position defensively and DeJesus’ ability to get one base and put the ball in play would certainly be a welcomed change from Cameron’s heavy strikeout totals.

Over The Monster goes on to say that "A player like Ellsbury is the type of trade bait that can land the ideal impact player that the Red Sox would desire when attempting to replace the likes of either Victor Martinez or Adrian Beltre."

Should make for an interesting few weeks.

MLB Trade Deadline: Red Sox Rumors And Reports As July 31 Approaches

With only three weeks to go before the July 31 trade deadline, the Red Sox are looking to acquire the pieces necessary to push them into the postseason.

The obvious need is for relief help, as the Red Sox bullpen has the second-worst ERA in the American League. Scott Downs and Kerry Wood have been at the center of early rumors.

The Sox are also looking to possibly pick up an outfielder, decimated as they have been by injuries. With the Phillies looking to move Jayson Werth, a deal could be in the works.

Theo Epstein has been known for making big deadline moves in the past. With a few big holes to fill, we'll see what he's got up his sleeves this year.