If this is true, it would be quite a huge deal. The Red Sox made a huge splash last offseason when they acquired Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, and they look like they might make huge waves again this year.
Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports.com, is reporting that the Red Sox are actively (as opposed to passively? “No, we have no interest. Please…don’t call us.”) trying to obtain Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey from the Oakland A’s.
“Sources: #RedSox trying to get G. Gonzalez, Bailey in “monster” deal. #Rangers, #Rays also on Bailey. #Nationals team to beat on Gio. #MLB,” Rosenthal tweets.
One would have to think that for the A’s to be interested, that the Sox would have to include third-base prospect Will Middlebrooks. The Red Sox, meanwhile, will probably try to sell the A’s on the virtues of John Lackey and his awesome contract. Who will blink first?!
Rosenthal, for what it’s worth (and we think it’s worth quite a bit because he spends his entire day speaking with league insiders) still has the Washington Nationals as the favorites to land Gonzalez. And the Rangers and Rays are still in play for Bailey.
So who knows? The Red Sox could land both or neither. ONLY TIME WILL TELL.