Lugo for Eric Byrnes?
Steve Phillips of ESPN reported early this morning that the Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks are discussing a trade involving shortstop Julio Lugo and outfielder Eric Byrnes.
It would be an exchange of bad contracts.
Lugo has not done much in his two years with Boston (granted, the Red Sox won a World Series with him in 2007) and Jed Lowrie took his job last year. Lugo still has two years and $18-million left on the contract.
Byrnes, who turns 33 next February, has two years and $22-million left on his contract (a three-year deal he signed last year). According to mlb.com, Byrnes tore both his hamstrings last year, tried to comeback and strained one of them, ending his season. He played in only 52 games (batting .209).
His best season was 2007 (.286, 21 HR, 83 RBI).
Byrnes, a right-handed bat, would become Boston's fourth outfielder, the same spot he would likely have in Arizona. Byrnes would have to approve the deal. He reportedly has a no-trade contract.
In another report from the winter meetings, the Washington Nationals have apparently offered Mark Teixeira an 8-year, $160-million deal. Looks like Teixeira might get $200-million before it is all over.
As for C.C. Sabathia's 7-year, $161-million deal, if he averages 15 wins a season for those 7 years, he will make just over $1.5-million a win. Expensive, yes. But the Yankees badly needed a frontline starter.
Posted at 05:45 AM
E-mail this entry to a friend
Subscribe