As the Santana trade has been finished for about a week now, excluding any contract details, there is one member of the Red Sox that is at ease. Jacoby Ellsbury was rumored to be in a deal, which would send him, John Lester and/or Clay Buchholtz to Minnesota for Johan Santana. Epstein was talking to Minnesota for about a three months, trying to work out a deal, but was not willing to part with both Ellsbury and Buchholtz. As for Ellsbury’s reaction, he was just happy to be mentioned in the same page as a player like Santana. “It was pretty flattering to be even considered in the trade, but I’m happy with what happened. I’m happy to be a Red Sox. I’m happy that I wasn’t traded at his expense, and it’s nice to know where I’m going heading into the season,” Ellsbury told MLB.com in a recent telephone interview.
With Ellsbury, Lester, and Buchholtz all returning this season, the Red Sox will have the core of the world champion team coming back. Epstein, however, has still been active, addressing soft spots in the roster. The Red Sox signed two former relief aces to minor league deals. Danny Kolb, who had 21 saves for the Brewers in 2003 and posted a 2.55 era, which was good enough to earn him all-star honors and Dan Miceli, who posted a 3.22 Era with the 1998 Padres. If Kolb and Miceli can be somewhat affective, it will take a lot of pressure of Okajima and Timlin towards the end of the season, where they both wore out. The Epstein also traded for Chicago White Sox reliever, David Aardsma. In return for Aardsma, Red Sox sent minor league right-handers, Willy Mota and Miguel Socolovich to the White Sox. Aardsma started off the 2007 season strong with 26 strikeouts and posting a 1.31 Era in 14 appearances. However, in 81 games, he has posted not so impressive numbers, going 2-1 with a 6.25 Era in 25 games. The Red Sox are hoping that his strong start was not a fluke and can contribute to the 2008 Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox are close to signing, former Detroit Tiger, Sean Casey (pending a physical) to a deal worth $800,000. Casey will mainly back-up Youkillis and could fill in for a David Ortiz if need be. He is also a valuable left bat off the bench. Fenway Park could also resurrect his slugging percentage, if he learns to use the monster. Casey is a great guy to have around the clubhouse and everywhere he plays teammates love him and fans adore him.
Even though the Red Sox haven’t signed any big names yet, this off-season. They are addressing the soft parts and reloading a team, already full of World Champions.
