Trade winds bring Astros’ Miguel Tejada into picture
<!--//Byline box//-->
By Rob Bradford | Tuesday, July 29, 2008 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Red Sox
<!--//Byline box end//--><!--//article Image//--><!--//article Image//--><!--//article//-->Nothing gets people talking like a loss near the non-waiver trading deadline.
Last night, the rumor mill started percolating for those exiting Fenway Park [map] moments after the Red Sox [team stats] dropped a 7-5 decision to the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels. Both the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays and third-place New York Yankees also were defeated, but that didn’t stop many from surmising that these second-place Sox need to be fixed in some way, shape or form.
Yet with just three days to go before the deadline, the Red Sox, like most major league teams, are finding the cost of dealing a bit too prohibitive.
While Manny Ramirez [stats]’ situation remains in flux - a trade of the left fielder continues to be unlikely - another big name was associated with the Sox last night. The Houston Chronicle and ESPNdeportes.com both reported that the Sox called the Astros about shortstop Miguel Tejada.
However, according to a major league source close to the situation, that rumor “couldn’t be more false.” Tejada, who is hitting .284 with 10 homers but entered last night with just a .318 on-base percentage, was asked by the Chronicle about the potential of playing with the Red Sox.
“I wouldn’t be intimidated to go play in Boston,” Tejada said. “But I’m not thinking about it.”
But just because the Sox might choose the combination of Jed Lowrie (who notched an RBI double last night and is hitting .284) and Alex Cora [stats] over Tejada, that doesn’t mean they are turning a blind eye toward the Astros.
Word out of Houston is that the club has been scouting reliever Geoff Geary, who gave up one hit and no runs in 1 2/3 innings during the Astros’ 5-4 win over Cincinnati last night. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 2.66 ERA in 38 appearances, and is equally effective against right-handers and lefties.
Yet just because Geary has drawn the Sox’ interest doesn’t mean any kind of deal is imminent, especially considering Houston is believed to be looking for its own bullpen help.
Geary joins Colorado’s Brian Fuentes, Baltimore’s George Sherrill and Atlanta’s Will Ohman as other rumored relievers who have drawn interest from the Sox. While Fuentes and Sherrill, both closers, figure to command players the Sox aren’t willing to part with, Ohman, a 30-year-old lefty with a 2.84 ERA this season, might serve as a better fit.
As for Ramirez, the Providence Journal reported yesterday that the Red Sox have contacted four teams - Arizona, Philadelphia, the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers - to gauge their interest in the slugger.
Sources in Philly and LA suggest there is little to no interest, while the Mets also have cooled on the idea of bringing in the controversial left fielder.
<!--//Byline box//-->
By Rob Bradford | Tuesday, July 29, 2008 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Boston Red Sox
<!--//Byline box end//--><!--//article Image//--><!--//article Image//--><!--//article//-->Nothing gets people talking like a loss near the non-waiver trading deadline.
Last night, the rumor mill started percolating for those exiting Fenway Park [map] moments after the Red Sox [team stats] dropped a 7-5 decision to the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels. Both the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays and third-place New York Yankees also were defeated, but that didn’t stop many from surmising that these second-place Sox need to be fixed in some way, shape or form.
Yet with just three days to go before the deadline, the Red Sox, like most major league teams, are finding the cost of dealing a bit too prohibitive.
While Manny Ramirez [stats]’ situation remains in flux - a trade of the left fielder continues to be unlikely - another big name was associated with the Sox last night. The Houston Chronicle and ESPNdeportes.com both reported that the Sox called the Astros about shortstop Miguel Tejada.
However, according to a major league source close to the situation, that rumor “couldn’t be more false.” Tejada, who is hitting .284 with 10 homers but entered last night with just a .318 on-base percentage, was asked by the Chronicle about the potential of playing with the Red Sox.
“I wouldn’t be intimidated to go play in Boston,” Tejada said. “But I’m not thinking about it.”
But just because the Sox might choose the combination of Jed Lowrie (who notched an RBI double last night and is hitting .284) and Alex Cora [stats] over Tejada, that doesn’t mean they are turning a blind eye toward the Astros.
Word out of Houston is that the club has been scouting reliever Geoff Geary, who gave up one hit and no runs in 1 2/3 innings during the Astros’ 5-4 win over Cincinnati last night. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 2.66 ERA in 38 appearances, and is equally effective against right-handers and lefties.
Yet just because Geary has drawn the Sox’ interest doesn’t mean any kind of deal is imminent, especially considering Houston is believed to be looking for its own bullpen help.
Geary joins Colorado’s Brian Fuentes, Baltimore’s George Sherrill and Atlanta’s Will Ohman as other rumored relievers who have drawn interest from the Sox. While Fuentes and Sherrill, both closers, figure to command players the Sox aren’t willing to part with, Ohman, a 30-year-old lefty with a 2.84 ERA this season, might serve as a better fit.
As for Ramirez, the Providence Journal reported yesterday that the Red Sox have contacted four teams - Arizona, Philadelphia, the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers - to gauge their interest in the slugger.
Sources in Philly and LA suggest there is little to no interest, while the Mets also have cooled on the idea of bringing in the controversial left fielder.
