JAGeGunz
11-14-2005, 12:55 AM
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – The Red Sox did make an offer to one of their free agents here at the general managers meetings, and by all accounts it was their top free agent, Johnny Damon.
Jed Hoyer, of the Red Sox’ baseball operations department, issued a no comment yesterday when asked if Damon was the free agent receiving an offer.
The Red Sox’ pursuit of Damon is expected to be one of their most closely watched activities this offseason, with the center fielder believed to be asking for at least a deal of at least four, and possibly five, years from the Red Sox.
Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, was not available for comment.
Craig Shipley, another member of Boston’s baseball operations department, said that most of the efforts by he and Hoyer during these meetings have been in talking with other teams, not dealing with free agents.
The biggest item on the Red Sox agenda is not related to acquiring free agent players or finding a new general manager. Instead, the top priority is exploratory talks for trading Manny Ramirez, who has told the Red Sox he wants out of Boston.
Asked if the Red Sox were speaking only with teams Ramirez would accept a trade to, Hoyer said, “It’s possible to explore ideas without going all the way down the road with a team.â€Â
One team to scratch off the list of potential landing spots for Ramirez is the new World Series champs. White Sox general manager Kenny Williams was asked if his team had any interest in acquiring Ramirez. “He’s not that kind of guy – we have a certain kind of chemistry,†said Williams.
Hoyer said the Red Sox have not had any contact with free agent third baseman Bill Mueller since former general manager Theo Epstein last talked with Mueller’s new agent, Ron Shapiro.
“We’re certainly going to have contact with them,†said Hoyer.
Jed Hoyer, of the Red Sox’ baseball operations department, issued a no comment yesterday when asked if Damon was the free agent receiving an offer.
The Red Sox’ pursuit of Damon is expected to be one of their most closely watched activities this offseason, with the center fielder believed to be asking for at least a deal of at least four, and possibly five, years from the Red Sox.
Damon’s agent, Scott Boras, was not available for comment.
Craig Shipley, another member of Boston’s baseball operations department, said that most of the efforts by he and Hoyer during these meetings have been in talking with other teams, not dealing with free agents.
The biggest item on the Red Sox agenda is not related to acquiring free agent players or finding a new general manager. Instead, the top priority is exploratory talks for trading Manny Ramirez, who has told the Red Sox he wants out of Boston.
Asked if the Red Sox were speaking only with teams Ramirez would accept a trade to, Hoyer said, “It’s possible to explore ideas without going all the way down the road with a team.â€Â
One team to scratch off the list of potential landing spots for Ramirez is the new World Series champs. White Sox general manager Kenny Williams was asked if his team had any interest in acquiring Ramirez. “He’s not that kind of guy – we have a certain kind of chemistry,†said Williams.
Hoyer said the Red Sox have not had any contact with free agent third baseman Bill Mueller since former general manager Theo Epstein last talked with Mueller’s new agent, Ron Shapiro.
“We’re certainly going to have contact with them,†said Hoyer.