Red Sox Rumor Mill

BOSTON—The three-team blockbuster deal between the Red Sox, Devil Rays and Mets appeared unlikely to transpire late Friday night. But if the Sox are going to land a player such as Aubrey Huff or unload superstar Manny Ramirez, it’s likely going to take at least three teams to get it done.

A baseball source said Friday a three-team arrangement is the only way a blockbuster will be executed by anybody before Sunday’s deadline. With so few “sellers” in the trade market—through Thursday, only six teams were seven or more games out of a playoff spot—contending teams are “…being very cautious” in trade talks, the source said.

It will be difficult for one team to meet the demands of a non-contender, but a three- or four-way deal could satisfy everyone. At one point Friday night, it reportedly appeared the Sox, Rays and Mets were about to accomplish a mutually beneficial trade that would send Ramirez and Rays closer Danys Baez to the Mets, Huff and Mets outfielder Mike Cameron to the Sox and several prospects—including the Sox’ highly touted Double-A pitcher Anibal Sanchez—to the Rays.

Numerous reports indicate that three-way deal, as currently constructed, is unlikely to occur. But given the Sox’ desire to move Ramirez and their obvious need for another left-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder and another late-inning reliever, expect the three teams to continue working on various permutations between now and Sunday’s 4 p.m. deadline.

The Rays, as Diehard reported Thursday, have been tracking the Portland Sea Dogs, the Sox’ Double-A team, all week and are interested in several players other than Sanchez. The Rays are always looking to get younger and cheaper, and it’s possible the Rays will find enough in the Sox’ fertile farm system to convince them to trade both Huff and Baez to Boston.

Should the Sox decide to go a more cautious route, they could pursue the Royals’ Matt Stairs, a former Sox farmhand who is an older and more affordable version of Huff: A first baseman/outfielder with a discerning plate eye (through Thursday, Stairs had drawn 40 walks and struck out 45 times) who is adequate at best in the field.

A source said he believed Stairs, known for his on-field intensity, off-field amiability and Regular Joe physique, would be a good fit in the Sox’ clubhouse as well. Stairs, 37, is signed through this season.

The Royals and Sox dealt with each other last week, when the Sox acquired veteran infielder Tony Graffanino in exchanger for minor league outfielder Chip Ambres. The Royals immediately promoted Ambres to the big league club and have been thrilled with his production so far (.471 in his first 17 at-bats with a homer, three RBI and two stolen bases).

However, a source said the Royals are looking for a corner outfielder that can contribute to the big league team over the next year. The Sox are low on corner outfield prospects; the corner spots at Triple-A Pawtucket are normally manned by 29-year-old big league veteran George Lombard, 28-year-old Mike Lockwood and 27-year-old Justin Sherrod, the latter two of whom have yet to play in the majors.


Diehard managing editor Jerry Beach can be reached at [e-mail]. To receive a free issue of Diehard, call 888-979-0979.