dachamps
12-11-2004, 05:09 PM
Boston makes pitch for Wells
Deal could be sealed sometime today
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
David Wells was offered arbitration on Tuesday by the Padres. (Ben Margot/AP)
ANAHEIM -- While the Red Sox remain focused on trying to keep Pedro Martinez in a Boston uniform, they are on the verge of adding another key rotation member.
Late Friday night, the Sox appeared to be just minor details away from finalizing a contract agreement with veteran left-hander David Wells, known mostly to Boston fans for his years as a nemesis in Yankees pinstripes.
The finalists for Wells were the Red Sox and Indians. According to a baseball source close to the negotiations, Boston prevailed, and the contract could be completed as early as today.
The pact is expected to be two years for a guaranteed $8 million. However, incentive clauses -- mainly starts per season -- could bring the balance all the way to $18 million.
It was an intriguing twist for sure, and one that gained steam as Friday's first day of the Winter Meetings wore on.
Earlier in the day, Gregg Clifton, the agent for Wells, divulged that the Red Sox and Indians had both made one-year offers.
But the Red Sox kept at it and apparently added an additional year to convince Wells to join the squad he once loved to beat in his two stints with the Yankees.
The San Diego Padres, the team Wells pitched for last year, were also keeping tabs on the negotiations.
"We received a proposal from both the Indians and the Red Sox, which I think were both very sincere, very serious proposals," said Clifton Friday afternoon. "I think they were both definitely getting David's attention and showing him how serious they are about trying to attain his services for next season."
Meanwhile, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein continued his pattern of keeping all negotiations with any player confidential.
"He's one of the many agents that we talked to," said Epstein of his dealings with Clifton.
ESPNEWS mistakenly flashed on their ticker Friday afternoon that the Sox had signed Wells. But early Friday evening, Epstein emphatically said there was no truth to it, as did Clifton. The item was removed from the ticker not long after.
"I just urge caution and we'll be ready to announce something when we are," said Epstein. "But in that case, we're no farther down the line there then we are with a number of guys."
Known for his ability to come up large in big games (Sox fans remember his clutch victory against Boston in Game 5 of the 2003 ALCS), the 41-year-old Wells is coming off a solid year (12-8, 3.73 ERA) for the Padres. In 25 postseason starts, Wells is 10-3 with a 3.18 ERA.
"David is the ultimate gamer. No one wants the ball more in big game situations than David and no one wants the pressure more than David does," said Clifton. "I think the combination of that and the passion of the Boston fans, it would be a perfect fit. He's such a baseball historian. He loves the history of the sport. He would just have to focus his history a couple hundred miles north of where it was before."
One interesting wrinkle if the deal with the Red Sox in fact comes to fruition is that Wells has long expressed disdain about pitching at Fenway Park, where he is 10-10 lifetime with a 4.87 ERA.
However, in recent years, Wells has had improved success in Boston. This past June, he engaged in an epic duel with Martinez, taking a no-decision in Boston's 1-0 win.
Wells is 212-136 in his well-traveled career.
While Wells was the enemy in Boston during his years with the Yankees, he could fit in well with the gregarious type of team personality the Red Sox have. Johnny Damon dubbed the eventual 2004 World Series champions "the idiots" for their fun-loving nature.
"He wants to win, and having talked to him, he really likes the makeup of the Red Sox from the perspective of, they're his kind of guys," said Clifton. "Those guys just go out there and love to play ball and don't worry about what happens off the field. They're ready to show up when the first pitch is thrown and they're ready to win.
Epstein rolled his eyes when a reporter suggested the Red Sox might be cautious about bringing in Wells because of his outspoken nature and propensity to sometimes "rock the boat".
"Oh, we don't have anyone like that," quipped Epstein.
While Wells has struggled with back problems at times, he feels healthy heading into next season.
"He's ready to go. He felt great all season," said Clifton. "He didn't know if he was going to play another year, but he's decided he wants to go and he's feeling great and he's looking forward to it. He's very excited about it."
Wells would join a veteran-laden rotation stacked with big-game pitchers, including Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and quite possibly, Martinez.
As for Martinez, Sox owner John Henry and president/CEO Larry Lucchino had what was described as a positive meeting with the three-time Cy Young Award winner at an airport in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.
The Mets have made Martinez a three-year offer (believed to be worth approximately $38 million). The Sox had made Martinez a two-year offer with a third year vesting option. It is expected the Sox will have to guarantee the third year to keep Martinez.
The Boston Herald, citing a source, said the Sox were expected to make Martinez another offer before the start of the Winter Meetings.
Epstein wouldn't indicate whether or not another offer was made. He said he expects to speak with Fernando Cuza, Martinez's agent, before the Winter Meetings conclude on Monday. Epstein also suggested that television and radio reports that indicated that the club was all but ready to sign the ace to a new pact were inaccurate.
Carl Pavano, who the Sox traded to get Martinez back in 1997, is also on Boston's radar screen. However, the 28-year-old righty has been presented offers from several teams in addition to the Sox, including the Yankees.
Scott Shapiro, the agent for Pavano, said his client probably won't make a final decision until early next week. It is believed that the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers and Orioles are the five finalists for Pavano.
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I just heard on sportscenter that the redsox signed him.Its a 2 year deal 8million guarenteed.
Deal could be sealed sometime today
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
David Wells was offered arbitration on Tuesday by the Padres. (Ben Margot/AP)
ANAHEIM -- While the Red Sox remain focused on trying to keep Pedro Martinez in a Boston uniform, they are on the verge of adding another key rotation member.
Late Friday night, the Sox appeared to be just minor details away from finalizing a contract agreement with veteran left-hander David Wells, known mostly to Boston fans for his years as a nemesis in Yankees pinstripes.
The finalists for Wells were the Red Sox and Indians. According to a baseball source close to the negotiations, Boston prevailed, and the contract could be completed as early as today.
The pact is expected to be two years for a guaranteed $8 million. However, incentive clauses -- mainly starts per season -- could bring the balance all the way to $18 million.
It was an intriguing twist for sure, and one that gained steam as Friday's first day of the Winter Meetings wore on.
Earlier in the day, Gregg Clifton, the agent for Wells, divulged that the Red Sox and Indians had both made one-year offers.
But the Red Sox kept at it and apparently added an additional year to convince Wells to join the squad he once loved to beat in his two stints with the Yankees.
The San Diego Padres, the team Wells pitched for last year, were also keeping tabs on the negotiations.
"We received a proposal from both the Indians and the Red Sox, which I think were both very sincere, very serious proposals," said Clifton Friday afternoon. "I think they were both definitely getting David's attention and showing him how serious they are about trying to attain his services for next season."
Meanwhile, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein continued his pattern of keeping all negotiations with any player confidential.
"He's one of the many agents that we talked to," said Epstein of his dealings with Clifton.
ESPNEWS mistakenly flashed on their ticker Friday afternoon that the Sox had signed Wells. But early Friday evening, Epstein emphatically said there was no truth to it, as did Clifton. The item was removed from the ticker not long after.
"I just urge caution and we'll be ready to announce something when we are," said Epstein. "But in that case, we're no farther down the line there then we are with a number of guys."
Known for his ability to come up large in big games (Sox fans remember his clutch victory against Boston in Game 5 of the 2003 ALCS), the 41-year-old Wells is coming off a solid year (12-8, 3.73 ERA) for the Padres. In 25 postseason starts, Wells is 10-3 with a 3.18 ERA.
"David is the ultimate gamer. No one wants the ball more in big game situations than David and no one wants the pressure more than David does," said Clifton. "I think the combination of that and the passion of the Boston fans, it would be a perfect fit. He's such a baseball historian. He loves the history of the sport. He would just have to focus his history a couple hundred miles north of where it was before."
One interesting wrinkle if the deal with the Red Sox in fact comes to fruition is that Wells has long expressed disdain about pitching at Fenway Park, where he is 10-10 lifetime with a 4.87 ERA.
However, in recent years, Wells has had improved success in Boston. This past June, he engaged in an epic duel with Martinez, taking a no-decision in Boston's 1-0 win.
Wells is 212-136 in his well-traveled career.
While Wells was the enemy in Boston during his years with the Yankees, he could fit in well with the gregarious type of team personality the Red Sox have. Johnny Damon dubbed the eventual 2004 World Series champions "the idiots" for their fun-loving nature.
"He wants to win, and having talked to him, he really likes the makeup of the Red Sox from the perspective of, they're his kind of guys," said Clifton. "Those guys just go out there and love to play ball and don't worry about what happens off the field. They're ready to show up when the first pitch is thrown and they're ready to win.
Epstein rolled his eyes when a reporter suggested the Red Sox might be cautious about bringing in Wells because of his outspoken nature and propensity to sometimes "rock the boat".
"Oh, we don't have anyone like that," quipped Epstein.
While Wells has struggled with back problems at times, he feels healthy heading into next season.
"He's ready to go. He felt great all season," said Clifton. "He didn't know if he was going to play another year, but he's decided he wants to go and he's feeling great and he's looking forward to it. He's very excited about it."
Wells would join a veteran-laden rotation stacked with big-game pitchers, including Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield and quite possibly, Martinez.
As for Martinez, Sox owner John Henry and president/CEO Larry Lucchino had what was described as a positive meeting with the three-time Cy Young Award winner at an airport in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.
The Mets have made Martinez a three-year offer (believed to be worth approximately $38 million). The Sox had made Martinez a two-year offer with a third year vesting option. It is expected the Sox will have to guarantee the third year to keep Martinez.
The Boston Herald, citing a source, said the Sox were expected to make Martinez another offer before the start of the Winter Meetings.
Epstein wouldn't indicate whether or not another offer was made. He said he expects to speak with Fernando Cuza, Martinez's agent, before the Winter Meetings conclude on Monday. Epstein also suggested that television and radio reports that indicated that the club was all but ready to sign the ace to a new pact were inaccurate.
Carl Pavano, who the Sox traded to get Martinez back in 1997, is also on Boston's radar screen. However, the 28-year-old righty has been presented offers from several teams in addition to the Sox, including the Yankees.
Scott Shapiro, the agent for Pavano, said his client probably won't make a final decision until early next week. It is believed that the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers and Orioles are the five finalists for Pavano.
__________________________________________________ __________________
I just heard on sportscenter that the redsox signed him.Its a 2 year deal 8million guarenteed.