Pitching Pitching

Reports from the Winter GM Meetings in Orlando are funny things. There are the continued speculations that the four major teams in on the Manny Ramirez discussions (Padres, Dodgers, Mariners, and Rangers) have been given somewhat of an ultimatum by the Red Sox office. They are no longer in exploratory mode. They are only in listening mode, and they're only taking serious offers. The rumors are flying around like crazy, though- so much so that the rumors ARE the story, not the actual possibilities. Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal (one of the better Sox beat writers) actually devoted some extensive column time to a rumor about a potential three-way trade involving the Giants and the Nationals, where Chad Cordero would end up with the Sox- a rumor that he then completely debunked by saying it was categorically denied by several of the involved teams.

In other words, Sean could have written that "there is a rumor flying through the hotel bar that Steinbrenner is ordering Brian Cashman to trade Derek Jeter, Bobby Abreu, Mike Mussina, and Mariano Rivera for Manny Ramirez, but both sides deny this rumor." What the hell have we learned? Is this journalism? I've said this before, but I'm not going to believe any deal is in the works or is going to happen until I hear it from Theo.

The one common thread in much of the rumors, however, is pitching, and reliable bullpen pitching in particular. It does not appear that the Sox would do a deal for Manny unless it involved a solid back of the bullpen guy. Certainly Scott Linebrink, Francisco (K-Rod) Rodriguez, Scot Shields, or Chad Cordero would fit that mold. Some power bat at first base (Adrian Gonzalez) or solid shortstop (Khalil Greene or Michael Young) would be welcome, as would some top prospects. Ultimately, though, one major thing has to be demonstrated- Manny really does want a trade. He's ten-and-five, remember, and can stay with the Sox if he wants to. He doesn't have to go anywhere. The fact that the Sox are even entertaining offers really must mean that he's made his desire to get out of Boston clear.

In other news (well, reports of news), it sounds as if Jon Lester's lymphoma is in remission. If that's true, that's wonderful news. The sooner Lester can stop focusing on getting healthy and the sooner he can start focus on getting into shape to pitch, the better. If we could even pencil in his name to a potential rotation that includes Matsuzaka, Schilling, Beckett, Wakefield, Papelbon, Tavarez, and Clement- the Sox have many reasons to feel good going into 2007.