Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Red Sox, according to a baseball source, remain in a holding pattern on Josh Hamilton, the free-agent outfielder who reportedly has designs on a long-term contract of at least six years.
He won’t get a deal of that length from the Red Sox, but Boston officials will remain in the mix for Hamilton as long as the possibility, however slim, exists that he could be had for a shorter deal.
Hamilton’s former team, the Texas Rangers, would still appear the most likely landing spot for Hamilton, whose chances of returning to Texas probably increased when the Rangers failed in their attempt to sign free-agent pitcher Zack Greinke, who became the highest-paid right-handed pitcher ever with a six-year, $147 million deal from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Rangers, however, have been connected to trade speculation involving Arizona outfielder Justin Upton, and appear committed to adding another starting pitcher. Hamilton reportedly has told the Rangers that he will give them a chance to match any offer he receives from another team before he signs, but so far, at least, Texas has not felt obligated to offer Hamilton the six years (or more) he is seeking.
The Red Sox went into the winter meetings with a strategy of offering Hamilton no more than a three-year deal, but perhaps with an average annual value commensurate with the highest-paid players in the game. Think $25 million per and up, and you get the idea.
ESPN Boston: Source: Sox still in mix for Hamilton
This is going to bum the rest of the Ted's Army crew out. I am the odd man out in this and I want the Sox to continue pursuit of Hamilton. I don't care if they are not front-runners, at least they are somewhere in the mix.
No team wants to give someone with the history of Hamilton's a six-year deal. Will someone? Probably. It will likely be the Rangers. They can dip into the fund they had set aside for Greinke.
Even though the Sox are still in the hunt for Hamilton, the odds are not in their favor. They don't want to meet his terms, and that doesn't go well with any free agents.
The rest of the links:
Globe: Red Sox claim Sandy Rosario | Where will Red Sox find a pitcher? | ESPN Boston: Iglesias training with Pedroia | Sox reacquire RHP Rosario off waivers | Herald: Jason Bay hoping for a fresh start in Seattle | Japanese club set to sign former Yankee Andruw Jones | WEEI: Jacoby ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia get animated | CSNNE: Is Youkiilis waitnig for a non-Yankee offer? | Merloni: Sox should have gone after Myers | Red Sox claim Rosario off waivers from A's
