Red Sox Trade Rumors 2012: Rockies, Red Sox Finishing Up Deal For Marco Scutaro

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox are close to completing a trade that would send infielder, Marco Scutaro, to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for a pitcher.

Rockies finishing up a deal for Boston's Marco Scutaro. A pitcher would go back to Boston. Deal revived today.

Scutaro appeared in 113 games for the Red Sox last season and finished the season with seven home runs, 54 RBIs, four stolen bases and a batting average of .299. He broke in with the Mets in 2002 and has also played for the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays.

Perhaps Scutaro's biggest strength is his ability to make contact. His strike out rate last season was a relatively low 8.1% and he swung and missed at an incredibly low 1.9% of pitches seen.

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Red Sox Trade Rumors 2012: Sox, Rockies Discussing Marco Scutaro

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies are reportedly in talks with the Boston Red Sox to acquire shortstop Marco Scutaro in a possible trade. Renck originally reported the agreement as "close", but acknowledged that talks have simmered down a bit.

For the Rockies, they appear to be set on acquiring a veteran middle infielder to alongside All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki at second base. If acquired, Scutaro would bring above average defense along with a solid bat. In 2011 with the Red Sox, Scutaro hit a career high .299 with 7 homers and 54 RBI in 113 games played for Boston. Colorado currently has young Chris Nelson slotted to be their starting second baseman.

Meanwhile, this sort of move seems to be the Red Sox trying to move payroll. As demonstrated by their frugal tendencies this offseason, the Red Sox could be trying to free up some money on their payroll to possibly sign a starting pitcher or an outfielder. In October, Boston decided to exercise Scutaro's contract option, which will pay him $6 million in 2012.

If Scutaro were to be dealt, they would likely have to turn to Jose Iglesias, Mike Aviles, or newly signed Nick Punto as their starting shortstop next season. With Roy Oswalt still on the free agent market, the Red Sox may need to take that chance.

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Red Sox Trade Rumors 2012: Sox Show Interest In White Sox' Gavin Floyd

For all of this talk that Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington saying he's "comfortable" with the Red Sox's current pitching rotation, the rumors are telling a different story. We've heard all about their interest in Cubs starter Matt Garza, but we got word on Wednesday of another pitcher of interest in the Windy City.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, the Boston Red Sox continue to show interest in acquiring Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Gavin Floyd. The Red Sox have been interested in Floyd for a while now as a possible fourth starter.

Floyd intrigues me very much as a fourth starter type in the Boston rotation. Last season, Floyd turned in a 12-13 season with a 4.37 ERA in 193.2 innings pitched for the White Sox. While those don't seem like such great numbers, his advanced stats look better. In 2011, Floyd recorded his lowest career WHIP rating with a 1.162 while having a very solid 7.0 SO/9 rating as well as a fairly low 2.1 BB/9 ratio.

Because the Red Sox are limited in both money and trade resources, a guy like Floyd may be worth looking into. Because of his average peripherals, Floyd would most likely come cheaper than the Garzas of the world.

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Red Sox Trade Rumors 2011: Cubs Pitcher Matt Garza Interests Boston

Trade interest in the Chicago Cubs' Matt Garza has started to pick up steam, and the Boston Red Sox are reportedly intrigued by the prospect of adding the 28-year old starter.

Dave Kaplan of CSN Chicago reports that the Red Sox, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays are all involved in talks with Chicago about the right-handed Garza, who was 10-10 last season with a 3.32 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 198.0 innings.

Since top-notch starters like Gio Gonzalez have landed off the market, interest in Garza has raised considerably. Garza's two-year contract is friendly to teams looking to acquire starting pitching, but his price tag could be a bit high for the Red Sox to bite.

Kaplan reports that Chicago's asking price is thought to be "incredibly high," which would be a detriment to any suitor, and the Red Sox have reportedly been reluctant to part with their top prospects this offseason.

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Andrew Bailey And Ryan Sweeney Reportedly Traded To Red Sox For Josh Reddick, Miles Head And Raul Alcantera

The Boston Red Sox have landed Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey after a trade (via Buster Olney's Twitter). As part of the trade, Josh Reddick, Miles Head and Raul Alcantara will go to Oakland and the Red Sox will get Ryan Sweeney (via Buster Olney's Twitter). Head and Alcantara are minor league players. Head plays third base and Alcantara is a pitcher.

Bailey has a career record of 7-10 with an ERA of 2.07. He's converted 75 of 84 career save opportunities. Last season Bailey fought off injuries to finish the season with 24 saves, a 3.24 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. Bailey was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2009 and was an All-Star in 2009 and 2010.

Ryan Sweeney is a right fielder who hit .265 with one home run and 25 RBI for Oakland in 2011. He bats .283 for his career (472 games).

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Gio Gonzalez Trade: With Gio Off The Board, Attention Could Turn To Bailey

Well, so much for a possible Gio Gonzalez trade. According to ESPN's Keith Law, the Oakland A's have decided to take the Washington Nationals offer for Gonzalez. The A's will reportedly get minor leaguers A.J. Cole, Derek Norris,Brad Peacock and Tom Milone in exchange for Gonzalez.

With Gonzalez coming off the board, the Red Sox could turn their attention to acquiring closer Andrew Bailey from the A's. As ESPN's Jim Bowden reported earlier, the A's could be discussing a separate deal with Boston that would send the All-Star closer to Boston.

The Red Sox seem to match up better with the A's in a trade for Bailey, rather than Gonzalez. A possible trade with the A's for Bailey could happen without the inclusion of several top prospects. The Nationals gave up four prime prospects for Gonzalez. Red Sox GM Ben Cherington simply wasn't motivated to make such a move for Gonzalez.

If the Red Sox were to acquire Bailey, they would certainly be out of the market for a closer. In 2011, Bailey saved 24 games for the A's and recorded a 3.24 ERA. Bailey is a two-time All-Star and earned rookie of the year honors in 2009. 

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Gio Gonzalez Trade: Nationals, Not Red Sox, Land A's Gonzalez

Well, so much for that rumor. Gio Gonzalez, a left handed starting pitcher, has reportedly been traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Washington Nationals for a group of prospects, according to ESPN's Keith Law.

The Boston Red Sox were reported to be one of two potential destinations for the A's southpaw on Thursday afternoon, with the other being the Nationals. In exchange for Gonzalez, the Athletics will receive prospects Brad Peacock, Derek Norris, A.J. Cole and Tom Milone.

Gonzalez was drafted by the Chicago White Sox with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft, but he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005 and later dealt again back to the White Sox before begin sent to Oakland.

In his rookie season in 2008, Gonzalez went 1-4 with a 7.68 ERA in 10 games. Gonzalez blossomed into a star in 2010, posting a 15-9 record with a 3.23 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 33 starts. Last season, Gonzalez went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 32 starts.

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Red Sox Trade Rumors 2011: Sox Trying To Get Gio Gonzalez And Andrew Bailey In 'Monster Deal'

According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox are trying to swing a trade with the Oakland Athletics to acquire both starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez and closer Andrew Bailey in a "monster deal".

It was reported earlier that the Red Sox and the Washington Nationals are the two finalists to acquire Gonzalez in a trade that could happen as early as today. It was later reported that if the Red Sox were to lose Gonzalez to the Nationals, that they would turn their attention to acquiring Bailey at a much lower price. Now the buzz around the league is that the Red Sox have their sights on getting both, and just in time for Christmas in Boston.

In such a deal, the Red Sox would most certainly have to part ways with top prospect Will Middlebrooks as well as others such as Anthony Ranaudo, Sean Coyle and Garin Cecchini as well other high ranking prospects. The Sox have have been reluctant to making the big move all offseason, now's certainly their chance to change that by acquiring both a premier young starter and closer.

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Red Sox Trade Rumors 2011: Andrew Bailey Trade Still In Play For Sox

With the Oakland A's set to trade starter Gio Gonzalez to either the Washington Nationals or the Boston Red Sox later today, another trade opportunity could arise if Boston loses out on him. 

According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, if the the Red Sox lose out on Gonzalez, they could turn their attention to Oakland A's closer Andrew Bailey as a consolation prize. The Sox have been connected to Bailey for nearly the entire offseason, and could utilize the young reliever as their closer in 2012. Bailey, a former All-Star saved 24 games last season for Oakland.

In a trade for Gonzalez, the Red Sox would most certainly have to include top prospect Will Middlebrooks as well as other high ranking prospects to acquire such a young and talented pitcher who's under team control for a while. However if they lose out on Gonzalez and turn their attention to Bailey, they could assemble a deal and be able to keep Middlebooks in their farm system. Either way, we should no more sooner rather than later.

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Boston Red Sox Trade Rumors 2011: Gio Gonzalez Trade Coming Soon, Boston Reportedly One Of Two Finalists

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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