Red Sox Rumors: Edwin Jackson, Roy Oswalt and Payroll
By Editorial Staff
Yesterday’s Red Sox rumors looked into how Boston would ultimately use the money freed up in the Marco Scutaro trade. Today reports continue to tie the Red Sox to free agency’s top remaining starters, Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson, and it now seems that Boston may have more room to spend than some originally expected.
The trade that sent Scutaro to the Rockies gave the Red Sox approximately $6 million to play with. Most figured the cash-strapped Sox would only be able to spend this plus possibly a little more to fill their remaining holes.
However, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald tweeted last night that the Scutaro savings do not represent “a hard number” for the Red Sox. Instead, Lauber says Boston may be able to exceed this $6 million figure as it continues to pursue a starting pitcher and infield depth.
These reports were somewhat confirmed by Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington last night. In speaking with Alex Speier of WEEI.com, Cherington said that he has received no mandate from Red Sox ownership that the club must remain under the $178 million luxury tax threshold this winter. This could change how the Red Sox handle their remaining offseason business.
It had long been assumed that the Red Sox would aggressively target Roy Oswalt due to his reduced asking price, but this may not be the case. Yesterday Jim Bowden of MLB Network reported that Boston had submitted offers to both Oswalt and Edwin Jackson. Not only that, but Bowden added that a source told him the Red Sox would prefer to bring in Jackson over Oswalt.
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You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.