Red Sox Offseason 2012: Boston, David Ortiz Avoid Arbitration

The Boston Red Sox are doing things a little differently in spring training this year. New manager Bobby Valentine has imposed a much stricter workout and practice regimen for his team that the one Terry Francona ran during his time at the helm.

Valentine described some unhappy mugs on players' faces in comments to the Boston Globe on Wednesday.

When I look at the program we devised, I don't think of it as tough. But it seems it's different because a lot of people are frowning. I just asked them to give (it) a few days.

We all know that no one likes change except for those who are making other people change of what that person want them to. I happen to be one of those guys who likes change because guys are doing what I want them to do. I would bet there will be 100 guys who won't really like it because it's change for them. But they'll get used to it.

Valentine has already decided to extend spring training games against Boston College and Northeastern from the usual seven innings to a full nine.

Some might argue that a more grueling spring training is exactly what the team needs after a late season collapse in 2011. Following their team's meltdown, players described a lax clubhouse in which pitchers drank beer, played video games and snarfed down fried chicken while their teammates finished games.

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The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs have both submitted briefs over the compensation of Theo Epstein, the former Red Sox general manager.

According a report, the decision about the Red Sox's compensation for the departure of Epstein could come this week.

#cubs and #redsox have submitted briefs regarding theo compensation, decision could come this week. #theo

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 13, 2012

The compensation matter is currently before MLB commissioner Bud Selig. The Red Sox could be getting a "significant" player in return for Epstein (via Boston Globe). That report that revealed the news about a "significant" player also said that the decision on the compensation matter would be known before Spring Training.

Stay tuned as we will have information about the compensation the Red Sox receive as soon as the decision is known.

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More: On Ortiz one year contract

Despite a bit of brinkmanship, the Red Sox will finish the 2012 offseason with their record of avoiding arbitration intact, as Buster Olney is reporting that the team has settled with David Ortiz on a 1-year, $14.575 million contract.

The team was scheduled to have their first arbitration meeting since the Dan Duquette era Monday, with their star designated hitter reportedly submitting a request for $16.5 million to the club's offer of $12.65. The Red Sox' figure would have represented a small raise after a big season for Ortiz, who saw his offensive production return to levels unseen since his wrist injury in 2008, while Ortiz sought a pay hike commensurate with his jump in performance.

After many quiet years with the team, Ortiz' contract has become a point of contention in recent offseasons. After a dip in performance in 2008 and 2009, the team has been hesitant to offer Ortiz the multi-year contract he's expressed interest in. With the combination of a resurgent 2011 and a salary already unusually high given the non-existent market for designated hitters, the Sox seemed prepared to finally go to the table this year, but apparently both sides thought better of it. Had it come down to the decision of an arbitrator, the result would have set a record for arbitration cases regardless of which side won; others such as Tim Lincecum have had higher offers in the past, but like Ortiz chose to settle rather than go to arbitration.

With Ortiz' contract now out of the way, the question becomes what impact the $14.575 million figure has on Boston's budget. Does the added $2 million over the top of their offer top out the payroll, or does it free up $2 million for use elsewhere--say, on a Roy Oswalt? We'll have to wait and see.

The Boston Red Sox could learn shortly what their compensation will be for the loss of former general manager Theo Epstein to the Chicago Cubs. According to report from the Boston Globe, the decision is in the hands of commissioner Bud Selig and is expected to come before Spring Training.

"Red Sox officials seem to think they’ll know what they’ll be getting from the Cubs "before the official start of spring training.’’ But is that when pitchers and catchers report, or when the full squad shows up?"

In October, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino allowed Epstein to void the final year of his contract so he could become president of baseball operations for the Cubs. In return, Boston is suppose to be receiving a "'significant' player in return."

However, it is still unclear as to what the definition of a "significant" player is -- as discussed in this Globe column from Nick Cafardo.

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Roy Oswalt won't be agreeing to a new contract with the Boston Red Sox, at least not any time soon. According to a league source there is "no traction" in talks between the two parties at this point. That doesn't mean that discussions have completely died, but the odds of Oswalt ending up in Boston have dropped steeply.

General manager Ben Cherington indicated last week that Red Sox may be not be able to pull in another starting pitcher before the start of spring training.

"We wouldn't rule out adding a starter, but I think it's unlikely at this point," Cherington told reporters. "I think we're going to keep looking for ways to improve the team, including the pitching staff, but I wouldn't expect any major changes between now and the [spring training] report date."

Oswalt has been linked to several teams throughout his free agency, most notably the Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies.

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It's two weeks until the start of Spring Training and Roy Oswalt still doesn't have a team. For several weeks now, the indication has been that Oswalt wants to join either the Texas Rangers or the St. Louis Cardinals so he can be close to his home in Mississippi. Well, that may not happen.

We heard late Thursday night that the Rangers were out of the Oswalt running, likely due to the fact that they already have six starters in their rotation. While the Cardinals haven't pulled out officially, they may have to unless they are able to trade Jake Westbrook or Kyle McClellan in order to free up payroll, and a spot in their rotation. Right now, a move regarding Westbrook or McClellan appear imminent.

That leaves the Boston Red Sox, a team that's been connected to Oswalt for several weeks, as a possible suitor. We know that they have extended a one-year offer to him right around the $5-6 million range and remain interested in signing the soon-to-be 34-year old pitcher. What makes them unique and possibly appealing to Oswalt is that they actually have a need for a starter. However, the holdup in uniting the two has been Oswalt, who really wants to pitch closer to home. Saturday, we got word that he may be warming up to the idea of coming to Boston.

According to Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Red Sox are still very much interested in Oswalt, and he may be interested in them now. Here's the full excerpt:

Oswalt and the Red Sox continue to have "mutual interest" in one another, according to one source with knowledge of the dialogue. The Red Sox have an ongoing need for a starting pitcher, and one option (Edwin Jackson) came off the board when he signed with the Washington Nationals several days ago. The Boston rotation includes Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz and open competitions for the final two spots. (via FOX Sports)

The article also lists the Cincinnati Reds and Oswalt's former team, the Philadelphia Phillies as possible landing spots. Rosenthal later reported that the Reds aren't actively pursuing him, they just "kicked the tires" on him.

As for the Phillies, they most likely won't be able to sign Oswalt right away, because they too don't have the money to sign him. Like the Cardinals, Philadelphia has a surplus of pitchers. If they were able to make a play for Oswalt, they'd most likely have to move a guy like Joe Blanton in order to do so. Last time I checked, no one wants any part of Blanton, who is scheduled to make $8.5 million this season. Eek.

If the Cardinals and Phillies are not able to find room both financially and physically, Roy Oswalt could very well fall into the lap of Ben Cherington and the Red Sox. Let's hope.

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If the Boston Red Sox will be adding a big name free agent pitcher this offseason, it's going to have to be the 34-year old right hander from Weir, Mississippi, Mr. Roy Oswalt.

On Thursday, we learned that Edwin Jackson spurned the Red Sox and decided to sign with the Washington Nationals on a one-year deal worth anywhere between $8-12 million. While I was a fan of the Red Sox bringing Jackson aboard, I really can't blame him for turning down Boston's offer for more money. That's just how the game works. With Jackson on board, the Nationals will have a scary good rotation consisting of Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez.

As for where the Red Sox, the attention now turns to Oswalt, who has been very picky about where he wants to pitch next season. Late Thursday night, we learned that the Texas Rangers, one of two teams Oswalt wants to pitch for next season, have pulled out of the running for the All-Star pitcher. With Texas reportedly out, this likely leaves the Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals, the other team Oswalt reportedly wants to pitch for next season.

If the Cardinals were to add Oswalt, they would most likely have to move at least one starting pitcher to make room in their already overcrowded rotation. Currently, they have Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Jamie Garcia, Jake Westbrook, Kyle Lohse and Kyle McClellan in their rotation. The thought around baseball is that the Cards are looking to trade McClellan and move Westbrook to the bullpen, opening up room for Oswalt as a clear fourth starter on their team. However, I just don't know how possible moving McClellan will be, given their asking price of a major league position player.

As for the Red Sox, they aren't trying to move starters to the bullpen, they are pulling bullpen arms into the rotation (see Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves). By no means do they have the depth that Cardinals have in their rotation. Oswalt would most likely slide in as the number four starter behind Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz, making this rotation relevant again. The question is, does he want to pitch in Boston? We don't know.

The reported offers of the apparent two finalists for Oswalt's services are roughly the same: A one-year deal worth about $5-6 million. Oswalt can either go ahead and sign with Boston for a year right now, where he will be pitching for a definite contender and will have a great chance to prove he's healthy so he can hit the market again next offseason. Or, he could continue to wait on the Cards until they are able to find a suitable trade partner for McClellan, which might not happen until Spring Training or possibly never happen.

Either way, it's your move, Roy.

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The Boston Red Sox are still communicating with a pair of free agent starting pitchers. Both Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson continue to listen to the team, though neither appear any closer to signing, according to a report from WEEI.

Talking is better than nothing for a team looking to add a little depth to their rotation. Oswalt is still talking to the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Jackson has been mentioned in connection with the Orioles, and other teams had made offers, reportedly, last week. Both pitchers are said to be looking for one-year deals.

Jackson is best suited for the back of a rotation. Oswalt represents a more intriguing possibility. The 34-year old is coming off a season shortened by a back injury. In just 139 innings of work in 2011, Oswalt struck out 93 and walked 33 with a 3.69 ERA. It was the first time since 2003 that Oswalt made fewer than 30 starts in a season.

Oswalt wants $10 million for a year of his services, according to Ken Rosenthal at Fox.

As for the Red Sox, WEEI points out that while nothing may come of talks with the two pitchers, it does signal that they have some financial flexibility, never a bad thing in these uncertain times.

For more Red Sox coverage, check out Over the Monster. All things MLB can be yours at Baseball Nation.

Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington insisted Monday that the team was doing what it could to strike a deal with David Ortiz and Alfredo Aceves so that negotiations do not have to go to arbitration. Still, Cherington said that the organization must prepare for every contingency.

"We've had continued dialogue with both guys. I couldn't handicap it right now," said Cherington. "We're just going to prepare for the case. We're a team that will continue to talk right up until the hearing. We'll see what happens up until then."

Both players have discrepancies in their salary filings, Ortiz in particular. Big Papi filed for a $16 million salary while the Red Sox requested $12.65 million. Aceves was more modest by comparison, filing for $700,000 over what the Red Sox offered. The organization may be able to swing more than $4 million in their budget for offseason deals, depending on what happens with Ortiz and Aceves.

For more on the Red Sox, head over to the SB Nation blog Over The Monster.

Free agent starting pitcher Roy Oswalt, a player the Red Sox have thought to be targeting, is reportedly close to an agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes.

Terms of the agreement remain unavailable, and Edes notes that Oswalt had also recently rejected a contract offer from the Detroit Tigers.

After the trade of SS Marco Scutaro to Colorado, it was widely presumed the Red Sox would target a starting pitcher with the cap space cleared from the deal. Oswalt and free agent Edwin Jackson have been floated as the most likely candidates for Boston to pursue, but Boston has not offered Jackson a deal, according to Edes.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Jackson has been offered multiple three-year contracts, but may end up taking a one-year deal with a team and re-enter free agency next offseason.

Jackson split the 2011 season between the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis, winning 12 games and posting a 3.79 ERA. He started Game 4 of the World Series for St. Louis, giving up 3 runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 4-0 Texas win.

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The Boston Red Sox have agreed to a minor league deal with pitcher John Maine and invited him to Red Sox camp (via WEEI.com).

Maine's agent says that the Red Sox plan putting Maine in the reliever role despite his client being a starter in virtually all of his major league appearances. The Red Sox weren't Maine's only suitor, but they won the battle according to his agent.

"There were other teams that were interested, but the Red Sox were out front," Gary told the Freelance-Star. "They flew down to meet him and flew him up to Boston to work out. There was a real level of interest."

Maine pitched in the majors from 2004-2010 for the Orioles and Mets. Maine has a career MLB record of 41-36 with an ERA of 4.35 and 492 strikeouts in 585.2 innings pitched. Maine was only 1-3 with an ERA of 6.13 in 9 games with the Mets in 2010. His best season was arguably his 2007 campaign with the Mets. Maine was 15-10 with a 3.91 ERA. In 11 starts with Triple-A Colorado Springs in 2011, Maine was 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA.

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The Boston Red Sox are one of two finalists to land Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez, according to an ESPN Boston report. The Athletics are reportedly deciding between trade offers from the Red Sox and Washington Nationals, and are expected to make their decision on Thursday.

The news that Boston is still heavily in the hunt for Gonzalez contradicts earlier reports that the Red Sox were worried about the cost being too steep. WEEI reported earlier on Thursday that Boston was "not close" to acquiring any pitchers via trade or free agency, and were starting to feel content with waiting out the market and making a smaller splash in January or later.

But Gordon Edes reports that Gonzalez is still Boston's top target. The 26-year old lefty was 16-12 last season with a 3.12 ERA and has pitched at least 200 innings in two consecutive seasons. 

The Red Sox reportedly feel they have enough depth in their farm system to compete with any offer from other teams, but are unlikely to part with catcher Ryan Lavarnway.

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The Boston Red Sox are comfortable enough with their starting pitching rotation that they are content to sit back and watch the market unfold, but still "committed to exploring every opportunity that exists on the market", reports WEEI.

WEEI reports that the Red Sox are open to trade possibilities to bolster their rotation, but not necessarily as interested as other teams in surrendering valuable assets in a trade. A source told Alex Speier that the Sox are "not close" on any sort of free agency acquisitions or trades to improve their starting pitching.

Red Sox starters had a 4.49 ERA last season (ninth in the AL) while pitching 940 innings (13th in the AL), but Boston management believes the top of the rotation -- featuring Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz -- is strong enough to wait out the pitching market without being overly aggressive. In the recent past, the Red Sox have made several key acquisitions in or after January, including David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre, Alfredo Aceves and Bill Mueller.

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The Chicago Cubs are hiring area scout Matt Dorey from the Boston Red Sox, according to a WEEI report, and plan to use him as a national cross-checker.

Dorey began working with the Red Sox organization in 2007, when he served as an area scout in the Northwest. In subsequent seasons, the Red Sox had him cover Louisiana and Texas. Dorey's contributions included scouting and signing a number of recent Boston draft picks, including Anthony Ranaudo, Garin Cecchini, Kendrick Perkins and Lucas LeBlanc.

When the Chicago Cubs signed Theo Epstein as the organization's president of baseball operations, the former Red Sox general manager said he would possibly bring some Red Sox employees with him to the Windy City. Dorey will become the first employee Epstein and the Cubs hired from Boston's baseball operations staff. 

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The Boston Red Sox will not resume compensation talks with the Chicago Cubs for Theo Epstein's departure until after the Rule 5 Draft, Epstein said on Thursday. The draft takes place on Dec. 8 in Dallas.

The teams were originally given a Nov. 1 deadline and commissioner Bud Selig said he would intervene if the compensation was not agreed upon at that point. But an extension was granted as the two teams try to settle on proper compensation for allowing Epstein to bolt town.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said two weeks ago the situation is difficult because there's no real precedent.

"Because of that, our position has been we have to look at this particular circumstance," Cherington said. "There was an understanding, again, at the very beginning the Red Sox would get significant compensation if Theo left to go to Chicago. That's been the challenge, agreeing on what significant means.

"But I think again, in Theo's case, if we rewind the clock this was not someone who ownership was looking to push out the door in any way and we were still in a position of having a really good team in 2012. He was under contract, and then we had a manager leaving, we had a manager search going on, so there were a lot of things going on at the time that made him leaving perhaps challenging. I think that's where our ownership feels we need to be compensated for that.''

-- Visit Over the Monster for complete Red Sox coverage all offseason and our team page for schedules, statistics, news and more.

The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig have agreed Wednesday to grant the Red Sox and Cubs a one-week extension as they work to come to an agreement regarding the compensation the Red Sox will get in exchange for their former general manager, Theo Epstein, who took the same job with the Cubs on Oct. 26.

The teams were originally given a Nov. 1 deadline and Selig had said earlier that if a deal were not cemented by that date, he would intervene. Clearly, he has changed his mind.

"We're going to have a little more time to work it out,'' Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said, according to ESPN Boston. "I'm not sure exactly how much, at least a week, I would guess. I think this is just a practical decision, with everything going on, Theo in Chicago, for us here with a managerial search and whatnot, just haven't had a lot of time to spend on it. So we got a little more time and hopefully will have a little more time to talk about it.''

For Cherington, coming to an agreement is difficult because there is not much precedent as far as what a team should be compensated in exchange for its general manager.

"Because of that, our position has been we have to look at this particular circumstance," Cherington said. "There was an understanding, again, at the very beginning the Red Sox would get significant compensation if Theo left to go to Chicago. That's been the challenge, agreeing on what significant means.

"But I think again, in Theo's case, if we rewind the clock this was not someone who ownership was looking to push out the door in any way and we were still in a position of having a really good team in 2012. He was under contract, and then we had a manager leaving, we had a manager search going on, so there were a lot of things going on at the time that made him leaving perhaps challenging. I think that's where our ownership feels we need to be compensated for that.''

Visit Over the Monster for complete Red Sox coverage all offseason and our team page for schedules, statistics, news and more.

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said during the World Series that the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs would have to come to an agreement regarding compensation for erstwhile Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein by Nov. 1 or he would make the deal for them, but it looks now as if the teams might have a little more leeway.

According to a report from the Boston Herald, a league source said "there shouldn't be much weight put on Nov. 1" and that the teams could get a slight extension for a few days to sort out the negotiations. According to the Herald, the Red Sox are thought to be interested in two minor leaguers, including a top-level prospect. Ben Cherington, who took over as Red Sox general manager after Epstein left for the same position in Chicago, said he would be "comfortable" with Selig making a decision after each side presented its case.

"It's a difficult deal to work out," Cherington said. "It's hard to quantify the value of Theo Epstein. I have an idea of it, and Theo doesn't think he's worth as much as I do."

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It's deadline day for the Boston Red Sox. No, it's not the trade deadline, but instead it's the day that MLB commissioner Bud Selig set for the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs to work out compensation for Theo Epstein, who resigned as the GM of the Sox in order to become President of Baseball Operations in Chicago.

And without much surprise, little progress has been made between the two teams.

Today is the deadline for the Red Sox and Cubs to agree on compensation for Theo Epstein and no tangible progress has been made, according to general manager Ben Cherington.

"It's a difficult deal to work out because it's too hard to quantify the value of Theo Epstein,'' Cherington said. "I have an idea of it and Theo doesn't think he's worth as much as I do. We haven't been able to bridge that gap yet.''

It's a little puzzling as to why Epstein is working with his former team to work out a deal, you know, for himself. But then again, it isn't. Epstein is in charge of baseball operations in Chicago, true, but working out a deal for yourself? Epstein essentially has to devalue himself to Ben Cherington and the Sox. As you'd imagine, it's an interesting dilemma.

If Boston and Chicago can't work out their differences, Selig has said that he will step in and decide after the two teams make their case to him or a representative.

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Dan Wheeler and Scott Atchison, both relief pitchers for the Boston Red Sox, did not have their options picked up by the team and will become free agents, according to an announcement from the team on Twitter.

Wheeler is coming off his first season with the Red Sox while Atchison is coming off his second. In 2011, Wheeler had a 2-2 record with a 4.38 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 47 games while Atchison was 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA and 17 punch-outs in 17 games. In his two seasons with the club, Atchison is 3-3 with a 4.08 ERA and 58 strikeouts.

Even though the team declined the options on both players, they could be back.

This doesn't mean that these two pitchers aren't eligible to be re-signed, but for now, it's up in the air. Wheeler struggled to start the 2011 season, posting an 11.32 ERA with four homers allowed in just 10-1/3 innings through May 4, but following a stint on the DL, returned to be one of Boston's very best relievers the rest of the way, with an ERA of 2.54, 7.1 strikeouts per nine against just 1.6 walks per nine, and just 0.7 homers allowed.

As for Atchison, part of his value was in his ability to move up and down between the minors and Boston as the team needed additional help in the bullpen. Now that he is out of options, though, then the majors were just about the only place for him. (via Over The Monster)

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The offseason is officially upon us following the St. Louis Cardinals' victory in the 2011 World Series, and free agents have filed with the Major League Baseball offices, including eight players from the Boston Red Sox.

David Ortiz and Jonathan Papelbon highlight the group of eight Red Sox players who filed for free agency. Joining Ortiz and Papelbon are J.D. Drew, Erik Bedard, Conor Jackson, Trever Miller, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.

Of that group, it's likely that Ortiz and Papelbon will be labeled Type-A free agents and Varitek would be labeled a Type-B free agent, per WEEI's Rob Bradford. That means if the Red Sox lost out on Ortiz or Papelbon after offering them arbitration and having them decline and leave the team, they would receive two draft picks while receiving only one for Varitek in the same scenario.

It's likely that, of the eight free agents, the Red Sox are likely to bring back a maximum of four or five. Papelbon and Ortiz may likely return, despite all of the offseason controversy, while it's not inconceivable that the team would bring back captain Varitek and Wakefield. Erik Bedard, J.D. Drew, Conor Jackson and Trever Miller are likely to not return.

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