Hot Stove is on fire...

Finally, something to get excited about.

It's day two of the meetings & not much but a flood of rumors. Why? The free agent market has about 200 players, and only 22 of them are in their 20's. And half of them will be 30 come playoff time. That's what is driving the trade market. Sox picked right time to have farm system start to pay dividends.

Sox have been somewhat busy fielding numerous Manny inquiries. Supposedly they've met with 8 of their scheduled 13 teams so far.

The Theo returning to Boston rumors keep surfacing. We think someone is doing this just to be a pain in the ass. Move on already...


Manny Gate Continues:

Still puzzled as to what is or will happen. So many contradicting rumors floating around:

1) His agents are apparently stating that he will play anywhere & that they are mandated to get a deal done.

2) Sox management stating that it's unlikely they will get what they want in a trade, inferring he will be back (NY paper thinks they are putting that out there to get more value)

3) Angels management privately stating not interested in Manny(so there goes Troy Glaus) & not willing to part with Ervin Santana.

4) His deal could be extended or restructured in order to get a deal done

5) Mets would want to include Kaz Matsui (.255, 3HR, 24RBI - $7M/yr) as part of the deal, and fill 2B void in Boston. Bellhorn had better #'s...

6) To Texas for Soriano? Soriano is the exact opposite of the prototype player the Sox covet. Poor defensive fielder at 2nd, never played in OF. Might make sense for 1 year?



Bobby Abreu - for Clement & Nixon. Philly apparently not high on Clement. Sox should throw in an Abe Alvarez or similar to get this done. Wow.


Julio Lugo - Tampa SS, would play 2nd. Shoppach & Youkilis are the bait.


Wells - Dodgers now in the mix. No mention of players, but likely pitching prospects. At least provides leverage in San Diego talks. San Diego not likely to part with pitching now that Hoffman appears to be headed to Cleveland. The A's have also entered the picture offering relier Justin Ducherererererer. Seems a little light for a 15 game winner in this market. Heck, throw in Clement & go for Zito...


Mark Loretta - San Diego 2B - for Mirabelli. Was rumored to be part of Wells / Mirabelli combo deal last week. Now straight up. Wake might not be pleased with this one.


Mike Lowell - newly acquired 3B inquired by Twins for JC Romero & Lew Ford - meets Sox need for reliever & 4th outfielder.


Aubrey Huff - Tampa 1B - Sox have had interest for a while, no mention of what they would give up

Trot - offered to Pittsburgh for either starting pitcher Mark Redman or Kip Wells. Not sure why the Sox would do this with excess pitching already. Both guys have era around 5. Yikes.

Sean Casey - Cinn 1B - for Arroyo & Youkilis - would work out well for Sox

Lyle Overbay - Milw 1B - for Clement. Price might be a little too steep

Soriano - reports saying that Texas would be interested in Clement or Arroyo...

Edgar Renteria - Apparently the Braves have some interest. Boy does this open the door for a number of possibilities. Getting giddy just thinking about it. This would be a 3 team deal with the Sox acquiring Tampa's SS Lugo, but paying some of $30M left on Renteria's deal.

Stay tuned folks. More updates to come this week. Talks end on Thursday where most wheeling & dealing will take place...