Alex Gonzalez Signs With Blue Jays

Free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, whose midseason arrival in Boston helped the Red Sox secure a playoff spot, has signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, with a $2.5 million team option for 2011. ESPN

I guess this means Marco Scutaro will be the Sox SS for the Red Sox. Scutaro is a good replacement, but unlike BMack, I'm not obsessed with him and am not declaring him a "Red Sox type of guy". He's solid, but I just don't trust a guy who had a career year at 34. I have a feeling A Gon isn't gone, he will be back at some point.

Alex Gonzales' Option Declined

Alex Gonzalez still could be the starting shortstop for the Red Sox next season. But if he returns, it will be at their price, not his.

In the interim, the Sox are likely to continue exploring all options. Gonzalez, 32, batted .284 and had a profound impact on the Boston defense after being acquired from the Reds in a late-season trade. Chances of the Sox picking up his option were remote from the start.

Prior to declining the option on Gonzalez, according to one of the aforementioned sources, the Sox failed in their attempt to acquire Hardy to address what has been an unstable position. The Sox and Brewers had engaged in discussions about Hardy as far back as the trading deadline but were unable to agree on compensation. Boston.com

In all likelihood the Sox will probably bring him back at a lesser price. He is very familiar with the Sox and plays great defense. I would love for the Sox to make a serious attempt at a guy like Hanley Ramirez but I think that isn't realistic. They also have my Cuban boy Jose Iglesias waiting in the minors, but everything that I read about him indicates he is at least a couple years away.

Red Sox Finally Have A SS?

DP will love this...

"Shortstop for the Boston Red Sox has been a black hole in recent years. Seven different starters have been used since the start of the 2004 season, including Alex Gonzalez, whose return for 2010 is far from a certainty. Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald writes that the Red Sox may finally have their long-term answer in Jose Iglesias, a 19-year-old Cuban defector who should be ready for the 2011 season (ESPN)."

I have heard nothing but great things about this kid. Still, he won't have an impact next season. My thinking is that they stay with Gonzalez at SS, unless they want to make a move and sign Marco Scutaro. Scutaro is very solid defensively and he has a great OBPs (.379), which we all know the Sox love.

Orioles 0 Red Sox 10

Everything you wanted to see from the Red Sox they did last night, as they rolled over the lowly Orioles 10-0. Clay Buchholz was just awesome last night throwing 7 scoreless innings allowing only 3 hits with 5 ks.

Boston wasted no time demolishing Orioles prospect David Hernandez, as Boston got it first 8 runs by the way of HRs. Pedroia (twice), Youkilis, Gonzalez, and Drew all went deep, and then in the 7th inning Big Papi capped it off with a solo HR of his own. The Sox are just so good when they are playing at home, but they are going to need to find a way to win on the road constantly before playoff time.

Texas won last night, so the Sox are just 2 1/2 games up on them for the Wild Card.

Red Sox 7, Blue Jays 0

After a 10 month hiatus, Paul Byrd's return to the Sox rotation was more than impressive. He scattered 3 hits and 3 walks over 6 shutout innings, and helped propel the Red Sox past Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays. The victory gave the Sox their first series sweep since they took 3 from Baltimore in Camden Yards at the start of August.

Alex Gonzalez is having the hot-streak of his life. He's 10 for his last 23 (.435). He's hit 3 HR and knocked in 11 RBI in only 15 games with the Sox. He was 2 for 3 this afternoon with a double and a triple.

It's just one start, and it was against a weak offense that wasn't prepared to face him, but if Byrd can come up with some Brad-Penny-in-April kind of starts, then things aren't so dodgy at the bottom end of the rotation.

It was apparently Old Timers Day at Fenway. Not only did 38 year old Paul Byrd look solid, 38 year old Billy Wagner was lights out in his Sox debut. He threw 16 pitches, 11 strikes, allowed 1 hit, and struck out the side in the 8th.



The Sox have Monday off before starting a HUGE 3 game series down in Tampa Bay. The Rays lost today, so the Sox are 5 games ahead of them in the loss column. Taking 2 of 3 down there would be a killer blow to the Rays.

Texas also lost, so the Sox have a 3.5 game lead over the Rangers.

-The Commodore

Red Sox Get Alex Gonzalez

"The Red Sox have completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds, bringing shortstop Alex Gonzalez back to Boston. Gonzalez is not expected to join the team until tomorrow in Texas, according to his agent, Eric Goldshmidt. The most likely move would involve the Sox releasing infielder Chris Woodward to make room for Gonzalez on the roster (Boston.com)."

Listen the Sox are basically get 0 offense from the SS position, so getting someone who can play some of the best defense in the MLB is a great move. He is only batting .210, but once again the Sox don't have a utility infielder with Lowrie out for the foreseeable future. This is a move that will go under the radar, but it improves Boston's defense a lot.