NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- According to major league sources, the Red Sox are among 'four or five' teams interested in free agent Josh Hamilton, but only on a short-term contract. One source suggests teams are waiting to see if there is anybody willing to go as many as four years on the outfielder.
Is has been rumored that the 31-year-old Hamilton is seeking as much as a seven-year deal.
Earlier Monday, an industry source told WEEI.com that free agent first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher, who also has drawn interest from the Red Sox, might wait to make a decision until after Hamilton signs.
The Red Sox are also still negotiating with Cody Ross, who seeks a three-year deal while the Red Sox have stood firm at two. Shane Victorino also remains on the Sox' radar. A source told WEEI.com Monday that the team is comfortable going to as many as three years on the 32-year-old.
For more on the Red Sox' approach to the outfield market, click here. [1]
For more on the winter meetings, go to the Red Sox team page at weei.com/redsox [2].
Links:
[1] http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2012/12/03/shane-victorino-nick-swisher-shin-soo-choo-and-the-red-sox-search-for-an-outfielder/
[2] http://weei.com/redsox
[3] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/red-sox