Mike Cameron Designated for Assigment
Mike Cameron has been designated for assignment by the Red Sox.
To replace Cameron on the roster, the Sox have called up Yamaico Navarro (who can play numerous infield and outfield positions) from Triple-A Pawtucket.
The move was reported by numerous sources on Thursday afternoon, and Theo Epstein has confirmed it to members of the Red Sox media.
Cameron was hitting just .149 with three home runs and nine RBI this year. He’s in the final year of a two-year, $15.5 million contract.
The veteran played in just 81 games for the Sox during his two seasons in Boston. (more…)
Tommy John Surgery for John Lackey?
John Lackey has been arguably the worst starter in the American League this year.
In his weekly appearance on WEEI’s Mut & Merloni show, NESN’s Peter Gammons questioned the health of Lackey’s right elbow and suggested that surgery might be an option for the struggling right-hander:
“With all the problems with Lackey’s elbow, is this guy going to end up needing Tommy John surgery before August? That’s something [the Red Sox] have to decide. They’ve already lost Matsuzaka, and Lackey’s been a physical issue all year.”
Lackey received a cortisone shot in his elbow earlier this season during a stint on the disabled list in May. He’s 3-1 since returning from the DL but has allowed 16 earned runs in those four starts.
The Sox have already lost Daisuke Matsuzaka for the year (and some of next year) due to Tommy John surgery. (more…)
Peter Gammons: “Red Sox Cannot Add Payroll”
According to a tweet from NESN’s Peter Gammons, the Red Sox cannot add any payroll this season.
It’s a similar sentiment to last year, when the Sox declined to make a significant acquisition (unless you count Jarrod Saltalamacchia) at the trade deadline to improve a team that was decimated by injuries.
Boston currently owns the third-highest payroll in baseball at $162 million, according to USA Today’s Major League Baseball Salary Database. The only two teams with higher payrolls are the Yankees ($203 million) and Phillies ($173 million).
Last July, the Red Sox went over the luxury tax threshold and were taxed at 22.5% for every dollar spent over $170 million. As a result, they will be taxed at a 30% rate for every dollar spent over $178 million in 2011.
The Sox invested heavily in this year’s club, but the inability to add payroll doesn’t seem to match up with the fact that they’re $16 million under the luxury tax. (more…)
Adrian Gonzalez in RF, David Ortiz at 1B on Wednesday Night Against Phillies
Various sources are reporting that the Red Sox will start Adrian Gonzalez in right field and David Ortiz at first base on Wednesday night against the Phillies.
The move will allow the Sox to get their two most powerful left-handed bats into the lineup to face Philadelphia right-hander Vance Worley.
The Boston Herald’s John Tomase first reported the news via Twitter on Tuesday night, citing a source who said that “Ortiz has already been told he’ll play first base.”
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia features a small right field, which should make for an easier adjustment for Gonzalez. This will mark just the second start of his Major League career in the outfield.
Terry Francona admits that this issue has given him a lot of anxiety over the last few weeks, and it was an organizational decision. (more…)
Red Sox Still Considering Adrian Gonzalez in the Outfield
Terry Francona elected not to use Adrian Gonzalez in the outfield last weekend as the Red Sox dropped two of three in Pittsburgh.
Still, the Sox have six games remaining on their nine-game National League road trip, and the positional change remains a possibility according to a tweet from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
Heyman notes that Philadelphia and Houston both have smaller outfields and that the Sox are thinking about playing Gonzalez in left field.
Such a move would allow David Ortiz to make an appearance in the starting lineup and play first base. He came off the bench for all three games against the Pirates.
Gonzalez is hitting .361 with 16 home runs and 71 RBI, and as Heyman notes, he’s currently the favorite for the American League MVP award. (more…)
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