It was clear that the Sox were trying to trade Tavares but now it is more evident that there is no room for Julian on this years squad. To make room for Sean Casey who is coming off the DL, the Red sox have designated Juilan Tavares for assingment (according to multiple sources, SI.com, Projo.com).
They now have 10 days to either work a trade with another team or to outright release him.
This lowers the value that the Sox will get in return for him but hopefully more than one team wants him, which I think is likly (he could be a 5 starter somewhere), thus driving up the stock for him and the sox landing something of value in return.
Projo reports that once promising pitcher Abe Alvares was released on Sunday:
The lefthander was at Triple-A Pawtucket and had been moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen this year. He had a 6.46 ERA in 13 games.
In four career appearances with the Red Sox (the most notable a 2004 spot start), Alvarez had a 4.76 ERA in 10 1/3 innings.
In other news the Sox and Rockies are still talking trade of Julian Taveres (reports boston.com, weei and other sources)
Rather than pick up immediate help, the Red Sox would probably want a prospect from the Rockies. Some possibilities could include outfielder Seth Smith, catcher Michael McKenry and pitchers Jhoulys Chacin, Shane Lindsay and Juan Morillo.
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Maybe by releasing Alvarves they are making room in AAA for one of those prospects. I think if they can get any high to mid level prospect in return for Tavares would be great. While he does give us flexibilty to start or relieve, we have plenty of others who can give us spot starts and many better options in the bullpen and long relief that Tavares, so sell him while you can.
Curt Schilling made 25 throws at 60 feet this afternoon. The session — really just him playing catch with pitching coach John Farrell — lasted six minutes. He’s scheduled to throw again on Thursday. Boston.com
Also WEEI reports that the Rockies have inquired about trading for Julian Tavares
Just finished watching Bartolo Colon’s start for the Paw Sox vs the Pitrates AAA farm team and came away very impressed. He was on a 5 inning limit. Through 5 innings he struck out five, and allowed only one hit. He stayed ahead of almost every hitter, 0-2, 1-2/ Constanltly through the night he was hitting 91,92 on the stadium gun. He even reached 94 a couple times. He ended his night on back to back strike outs of Indanapolis Indians. His last strike out was a heater on an 0-2 pitch.
He is scheduled to make a couple more starts for the Paw sox but If he keeps pitching like this we will see him in Boston in no time. Could be a huge boost to the sox pitching staff.
Update!: Pay Dispute Settled, Sox to go to Japan…….good for the sox players sticking up for thier coaching and training staff!
According to multiple clubhouse sources, the Red Sox will be holding a players-only meeting later this morning concerning the issue regarding the coaches potentially not being paid the $40,000 allocated the players. The sources indicated that the players will be issuing a mandate to Major League Baseball that if the coaches aren’t paid, then the team will not be getting on the plane later today for Japan.” – 3.19.08, The Bradford Files
updated
Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell confirmed to the Boston Globe’s Jackie MacMullan that the team voted unanimously this morning not to make the scheduled trip to Japan or play its final exhibition game against the Blue Jays this afternoon unless the coaches, training staff, and equipment staff were going to be compensated for making the trip to Japan.- bostondirtdogs.com
Good for them sticking up for their coaches and other personal. Could be a team bonding moment.
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pic herald.
