I don't understand the move. Two years for a backup? Or do they see him as a potential starting shortstop now? And if they see him as a starter now, what do they know now that they didn't know a year ago when they apparently liked him so little that they acquired Alex Gonzalez to start in front of him?

What's wrong with two years for a backup? I mean, he could suck, but he's not making much money. He plays 2B, SS and 3B well, and he can draw a walk or lay down a bunt or whatever, plus he seems to be a good guy in the clubhouse. And if either Gonzalez or Pedroia sucks / gets injured, he'll be a far sight better than replacement level. Works for me.

I would love to have Cora on the Yankees bench. Assuming it's not expensive, I would say this is a very solid move.

Cora was a zipher when needed at the end of the season(under 200 after the ASB. The other numbers are just as bad). I just hope Tito remembers this is a bench player and playing in 96 games is too much for a guy of his very limited offensive abilities. BTW, he had a minus -VORP.

Cora made $1.4 million in 2006, according to this website, for whatever that's worth. Assuming they gave him as much or more for 2007 and 2008, that's a fair bit of money for someone they benched in favor of Alex Gonzalez. Why spend even that much money on Cora when you could give Machado (or whoever's still kicking around AAA) league minimum? I like Cora just fine as a backup, but there on a team that currently has huge payroll issues, I don't want extra millions going to my I-backed-up-Alex-Gonzalez shortstop.

Locking Cora up is a good idea - preferably as far away from Fenway Park as possible.

Machado just signed with Washington, but I see your point.

According to Ken Rosenthal, The Sox have outbid the Yankees for the right to negotiate with Matsuzaka.

The Oliver Stonesque speculation is that they might be doing it to keep him away from the Evil Empire, thinking that if Boras won't accept their offer, Daisuke stays in Japan a year.

Hmm. I find the conspiracy theory dubious. The real question is whether Mr. Henry is willing to spend so aggressively to get a prime-of-career pitcher. I'm in favor of him spending his money to enhance my wellbeing...

Rosenthal:

The Sox, according to ESPN.com, may have posted the highest bid for the negotiating rights to Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, a move that would prevent him from going to the Yankees.

...

If it's true, as reported, that the Red Sox bid $38 million to $45 million for Matsuzaka's rights, they might not even intend to sign him.

there's been so much talk about this on the main board, i didn't put a thread here. i'll put one up this week though, one way or another. iwamura's another guy we may have been in on.

No other place for this.

Did anyone read this in Shanks "Thoughts Column":

Why do I get the feeling that Dustin Pedroia, through no fault of his own, is destined to become the line in the sand in Fort Myers next spring? Theo Epstein and the minions love the little guy. Longtime scouts, people who wear baseball uniforms, and most fans are not convinced. This will be interesting.

I have never heard about it and don't trust a thing Shank writes about theo and the sox.

According to Nick Cafardo: "Former Red Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez has received a three-year $15 million deal from an undisclosed team."

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2006/11/gonzalez_in_dem.html

Nice little pay raise he got there. Cafardo says the rumor is it's either the White Sox or the Reds.

Good for Alex. I'm happy for him. Certainly one of the best defensive SS I have had the opportunity to watch.

Pity; I'd have liked Gonzalez back. Gretting rid of Renteria last winter was a major FO mistake, in my view, probably more than signing him -- he had a nice rebound season with Atlanta and wasn't disastrous with the Sox.

I don't think I want to pay $$$ for Lugo. Can Petunia play SS?

Good player who had trouble staying healthy. He was one of the few pickups that worked out pretty well last year. If it's the White Sox that got him, maybe the Red Sox can get Uribe on the cheap.

Pity; I'd have liked Gonzalez back. Gretting rid of Renteria last winter was a major FO mistake, in my view, probably more than signing him -- he had a nice rebound season with Atlanta and wasn't disastrous with the Sox.

How's that hindsight? 20/20 I presume. And ps, he was disastrous with the Red Sox.

You know what's shocking? Edgar Renteria may wind up in the Hall of Fame. If he average 154 hits a season for 8 years, he's got 3000, and i doubt the BBWAA would reject a SS with 3000 hits. His 162 game average is 179 hits, and he's only 30, so he could play more than 8 more years

You know who'd look good at SS for the Red Sox? That Nomar guy.

nycfan Posted: November 16, 2006 at 10:35 PM (#2240047)

You know what's shocking? Edgar Renteria may wind up in the Hall of Fame. If he average 154 hits a season for 8 years, he's got 3000, and i doubt the BBWAA would reject a SS with 3000 hits. His 162 game average is 179 hits, and he's only 30, so he could play more than 8 more years

The fact that this is so surprising to many of us (me included) is the best example of Northeast media bias. If Edgar played every day of his career for the Orioles, say, he'd be recognized for his relatively elite status. But that one year in Boston will probably color him forever in the national eye.

A-Rod could look forward to this sort of retrospect if he gets out of NY on a down note.