Winter Report II
January 21, 2003
Much has happened since the last Red Sox update. First, let me dedicate this article to the memory of those 35 people who lost their lives in Boston's Great Molasses Flood of 1909. This week marks the anniversary of the event in which 35 people were actually slower than molasses. Sounds like many Red Sox teams from the past.
Three's Company
The Sox are cornering the market on 1B/DH types. Already with Jeremy Giambi in the fold, the Sox have signed David Ortiz and Dave Nilsson. The prospect of Ortiz playing everyday is exciting. At 27, Ortiz is just entering his prime. Last season with the Twins, Ortiz hit 20 homers, 32 doubles, and drove in 75 runs in just 412 at bats. He hit a respectable .272 and his OPS was a very encouraging .839. His 87 strikeouts are a bit of a concern, but overall he will be a steal if he continues to improve. As for Nilsson, he has spent the past three seasons in his native Australia. He will be signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training. He's a longshot to make the team with the logjam at 1B, but he could have an outside shot. Don't bet for anything remarkable at age 33, but he could be a useful role player. In 2001, Nilsson failed a physical when the Red Sox signed him to a similar deal. His knee was a concern back then. It is reported he is in much better shape this time around.
Keeping His Nose Clean
Last week, pitcher Derek Lowe was operated on for skin cancer. It is not life threatening. He had a small growth removed from his nose that started to show up in the early offseason. Lowe will be ready for spring training, but he has missed some significant time from his offseason strength and conditioning program. The time missed is due to pain and pressure around the area that was stitched up after surgery. He will have prescription strength sunblock during the season, so hopefully the cancer will not resurface.
Colon Wears Sox....White Ones
The Red Sox are not very dissapointed about losing out on the Bartolo Colon race. In fact, they had backed off their pursuit of him right before the deal to the White Sox. Reports from the Dominican Republic, where he calls home in the offseason, had Colon up to 275 pounds and woefully out of shape. The Red Sox had begun to turn their attention to the younger, cheaper Javier Vasquez. With the Colon trade, the Expos are not likely to deal Vasquez, however.
Gamblin' Man
With the trade of Bartolo Colon to Chicago, the Red Sox are looking at free agent lefty Kenny Rogers. Rogers went 13-8 last season with a 3.84 ERA. Rogers, 38, has not had any real interest from any other team this offseason. Such a move would likely knock Casey Fossum into the bullpen.
Year of the Dragon(s)
The progress in the Kevin Millar soap opera is slow going, but a new wrinkle has been added. Now, Major League Baseball has gotten involved and is trying to get Millar out of his contract with Japan's Chunichi Dragons. The end game likely won't benefit the Red Sox, as MLB has stated that should Millar be freed from his contract, he will be a free agent and any team can bid on him. Millar, who was surprised to know that the Red Sox had any interest in him, is a nice player, but not worth the fuss. Last season, the 30 year old had 16 homers and 41 doubles in 438 at bats. He also knocked in 57 runs, batted .306 and had an OPS of .875. The signing of David Ortiz will soften the blow of losing out on Millar for the Red Sox.
Crowded Hot Corner
The team signed third baseman Bill Mueller to a two year deal last week. With incumbent All-Star Shea Hillenbrand still with the team, something has to happen in the way of a trade. No rumors at this point, however, as to where Hillenbrand could end up.
That's all for now. It's still bitter cold here in The Hub. Maybe this Hot Stove reporting will help warm things up a little.
