Appreciate the comments. The Yanks and Sox have pretty much played even over the past 5 years. Not sure either one has either’s number. You are right both teams have been spotty for sure. I still like the Sox pitching better than the Yanks - only time will tell.

Good luck.

Merrill

Doug Mirabelli-C-Red Sox Jan. 10 - 1:29 pm et

he Red Sox will re-sign Doug Mirabelli to a one-year deal worth about $550,000.

Incentives could bring the value of the deal up to $1 million or so. If the Red Sox seriously contemplated any other free agent backups this winter, they kept it quiet. Mirabelli has pretty much lost it offensively, but he still does a nice job of handling Tim Wakefield’s knuckler. If Jason Varitek stays healthy, the Red Sox should be fine

Report: Twins, Red Sox turn in with deal near

The Twins and Red Sox have concluded trade talks for the night with a deal likely within reach, the Boston Globe reports.

The Globe says there are indications that the deal would be Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson for Johan Santana. ESPN’s Buster Olney also believes that’s the package. Crisp doesn’t seem like a great fit for a Twins club that figures to have little chance of contending next year, though as outstanding as he is defensively, he is being undervalued as a trade property. The Twins would also be getting a potential No. 2 starter in Lester, a possible No. 3 or a closer in Masterson and a likely starting second baseman in Lowrie. Phil Hughes is a better bet than all of them, but the Twins must not rate him as highly as many do.

Dec. 4 - 3:34 am et

According to the New York Times, the Yankees have declared five prospects off limits to the Twins: Dellin Betances, Alan Horne, Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy and José Tabata.

The Twins are reportedly requesting Horne or Jackson along with Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera in a Santana deal. The Yankees’ best prospect not on the list is probably the rehabbing Humberto Sanchez. Healthy alternatives include fellow right-handers Jeff Marquez and Daniel McCutchen, “catcher” Jesus Montero, speedy center fielder Brett Gardner and first baseman Juan Miranda. Shortstop Alberto Gonzalez doesn’t rate with the rest, but he’s still someone the Twins might have their eyes on.
Source: New York Times
Related: Yankees

A Yankees official told Newsday on Saturday night that he is optimistic about the team’s chances of acquiring Johan Santana.

Newsday didn’t have any additional info on who might be included along with Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera.
Source: Newsday
Related: Red Sox, Yankees

Johan Santana-S- Twins Dec. 1 - 10:33 pm et

SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Twins are holding out for either Alan Horne or Austin Jackson as a third player along with Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera in a Johan Santana deal.

Might as well. The Yankees aren’t exactly known for their ability to draw a line in the sand, and why should they start when it’s the best pitcher in baseball they’re bartering to acquire? We’d part with Horne first, though he emerged as a fine starting pitching prospect last season. Heyman also says that the Red Sox may consider including Jacoby Ellsbury in a deal with the Twins if Minnesota was willing to include another player or two. He goes on to write, “Boston and Minnesota have remained in contact, but it’s believed the Yankees have come closer to meeting the Twins’ asking price to this point.”
Source: SI.com

Yankees, Twins working on Santana trade

FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal says the Twins informed the Yankees they were prepared to deal Johan Santana to the Red Sox unless Phil Hughes was part of the deal.

Whether they were being serious or just improving their negotiating position, the tactic appears to have worked, with the Yankees deciding to offer Hughes in place of Ian Kennedy on Friday afternoon. The two sides haven’t agreed upon a third player in addition to Hughes and Melky Cabrera. Austin Jackson, Jose Tabata and Alan Horne look like the candidates, though the Twins could always push for both Hughes and Kennedy. It’s expected that the Red Sox would have to improve their offer to include Jacoby Ellsbury or Clay Buchholz if they’re going to land Santana.

Dec. 1 - 12:32 pm et

Things appear to be heating appear for Mr. Santana….. Go Red Sox go!

Johan Santana-S - Twins Nov. 30 - 9:55 am et

The Mariners have talked to the Twins about Johan Santana, according to the Seattle Times. They certainly have the young talent that the Twins are seeking, with the newspaper mentioning Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow and Jeff Clement as possible targets for Minnesota. Given the Twins’ reported interest in Jacoby Ellsbury, Jones would seemingly be an especially good fit as Torii Hunter’s potential long-term replacement.Source: Seattle Times

Johan Santana-S - Twins Nov. 29 - 10:18 pm et

The New York Times reports that the Yankees are sticking to an offer of Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera and at least one minor leaguer for Johan Santana. The Times believes Jose Tabata could be the minor leaguer. The Twins are holding out for Phil Hughes over Kennedy. Unless the Yankees put Robinson Cano in the deal, it’s hard to see them getting Santana without trading Hughes. Joba Chamberlain is completely off limits.Source: New York Times

Johan Santana-S - Twins Nov. 29 - 5:58 pm et

The Boston Globe reports that Johan Santana’s agent has yet to begin negotiations with any team looking to acquire the left-hander.
That can’t happen until a deal is agreed to, and it already seemed clear that nothing had gotten done. Still, it’s nice to have some confirmation. The Globe repeats the Jon Lester-Coco Crisp-Jed Lowrie-Michael Bowden package mentioned earlier and makes it sounds as though Bowden over Justin Masterson was a move by Boston to increase its offer. The Globe believes Robinson Cano is still in play in talks between the Yankees and Twins.Source: Boston Globe

Johan Santana-S - Twins Nov. 29 - 3:36 pm et

Adding weight to report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Twins and Red Sox are discussing a trade that would send Johan Santana to Boston for Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie and a fourth player. Charley Walters said the fourth player was Justin Masterson. Olney says it could be Michael Bowden, though that’s still in flux. Bowden was viewed as the superior property a few months ago, but Masterson has since overtaken him in the eyes of many. This doesn’t sound as good for the Twins as a Phil Hughes-Melky Cabrera-Austin Jackson package, though if the Yankees are trying to sub in Ian Kennedy for Hughes, then Boston’s offer is clearly better. The Twins would use Lester in the middle of their rotation and Crisp in center field. Lowrie could use another half-season in Triple-A, but he might get a chance to battle for a starting job at short or at second base in spring training.

Johan Santana-S - Twins Nov. 29 - 1:43 pm et

According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have made it clear to the Twins that they’d be willing to part with one — but not two — from a group of Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury in a Johan Santana trade.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the Red Sox have offered

Eric Gagne-R- Red Sox Nov. 30 - 10:59 am et

According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox are expected to offer arbitration to Eric Gagne and Mike Timlin.

Both pitchers are Type B free agents, meaning that the Red Sox would then receive a compensatory draft pick if they sign elsewhere. However, it’s possible that Gagne could accept arbitration and remain with the Red Sox if the free agent market for him is limited following a poor second half.

On Disabilities Awareness Day, in a baseball stadium (Fenway Park - Boston), on what I can only describe a perfect day, is an excellent example of the old saying “It takes a Village”.

This man with autism, who was chosen to sing the national anthem, got a case of the giggles half way through.

Listen to what the crowd does to support him.

http://www.youtube..com/watch?v=NhcZRFcjbhw

Yankees manager Joe Girardi and pitching coach Dave Eiland both stated that if the season opened tomorrow, the Yankees would likely use a rotation of Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy.

I hope that is the case - Jeffrey, Jennie sorry but this staff won’t scare anyone.

Merrill