Red Sox Winter Meeting Update: Teixeira, Lugo, Yankees

First things first... here's the break down of all the offers currently out there for Teixeira - courtesy of MLB Trade Rumors.

Orioles: seven years, $140-150MM

Nationals: eight years, $160MM

Angels: reluctant to exceed seven years; no offer yet? (Boras implied there was)

Red Sox: making progress; no offer yet? (Boras implied there was?)

Bottom Line: Theo Epstein and Scott Boras are masters at what they do... therefore, if there is an offer from the Red Sox on the table, we don't know the numbers. A number of sources have said that they expect the Sox to pay whatever it takes to land Teixeira... even if it's more like $25M per year over 8-10 years...

And don't count the Yankees out. They already have Arod, but he was the only guy doing any hitting last season... they could use a young, productive bat just as bad as anyone else.

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ESPN's Steve Phillips says the Red Sox are having discussions with the Diamondbacks about a Julio Lugo-for-Eric Byrnes swap. Brynes would serve as a fourth outfielder for Boston; Lugo would play second base for the Diamondbacks.

Bottom Line: I like this deal alot, but there are some sticking points. Byrnes stole 50 bases in 2007, he can play all three outfield positions and has 20+ home run power when healthy... but that's the problem.

He finished the '08 season on the 60-day DL with a hamstring injury and Manager Bob Mevin says Byrnes could start the season on the bench.

Byrnes is also on the books for $11M, while Lugo is set to make $9M in 2009. Iguess the question is: What do they want to pay $10M for a utility infielder or outfielder?

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The Herald is reporting that the Red Sox are likely to non-tender Kevin Cash. With Varitek still unsigned, I'm not sure what this is all about, but if they pick up another catcher or call up Dusty Brown or George Kottaras, I guess I'd be happy to see Cash get more playing time somewhere else...

Bottom Line: This does make me wonder if Tim Wakefield will be pitching much in 2009...

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Lastly, the Yankees are reportedly set to sign Mike Cameron as their new centerfielder:

The Yankees have found their center fielder for 2009, as they are set to send Melky Cabrera to Milwaukee for veteran outfielder Mike Cameron on Thursday, according to two major league sources.

Bottom Line: Whatever.

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