Red Sox Rumors: Roy Oswalt, Daniel Bard and the Shortstop Question
Yesterday was a busy day for the suddenly active Boston Red Sox. Not only were the Red Sox able to avoid arbitration with one of their top young arms, but Boston was also made a move to free up salary. Rumors have been flying regarding how the Red Sox intend to use this newly available cap room, and Roy Oswalt continues to be tied to the club. The team has also made it clear how they plan on addressing their shortstop position in 2012 now that Marco Scutaro has been shipped to the Rockies.
The Red Sox and right-hander Daniel Bard were able to avoid arbitration yesterday, agreeing on a one-year deal reportedly worth $1.6125 million. Though he’s been a reliable late-inning reliever for Boston over the past several years, Bard is expected to get a shot at a starting role this spring.
However, Bard’s chances of making Boston’s starting five may have been impacted by another move the Red Sox made yesterday. Boston sent veteran infielder Marco Scutaro to the Rockies in exchange for right-hander Clayton Mortensen.
More importantly than the pitcher they received, the Red Sox cleared roughly $6 million in cap space by dealing Scutaro. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN is reporting that Boston is expected to use this money to make an “aggressive bid” for free agent Roy Oswalt.
Oswalt has been heavily tied to the Red Sox for the past week. It’s been reported that before any deal would get done with Oswalt or other more established free agents the Red Sox would first have to make room in their budget. With Scutaro’s contract off the books, it figures to be only a matter of time before the Red Sox make a market splash.
While yesterday’s trade cleared cap room, it also left Boston with a void at the shortstop position. Alex Speier of WEEI.com is reporting that the Red Sox are comfortable heading into the 2012 season using a platoon of Nick Punto and Mike Aviles at short. Boston feels the two can match whatever production Scutaro would have offered until top prospect Jose Iglesias, who’s set to start the year at Triple-A, hits Fenway for good.
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