ESPN's Buster Olney joined Mut & Merloni on Wednesday morning for a Hot Stove update, and he talked about the possibility of the Red Sox trading center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.
"It's clear that the list of teams that could be a potential match on an Ellsbury deal is pretty small, because of all the circumstances -- because he's a free agent after next season, because he's represented by Scott Boras and the team that gets him isn't going to have much hope of signing him to a contract extension," Olney said. "I think one thing is pretty clear is that if they trade him, Ellsbury, they're not going to get a huge return on him.
"In fact, a couple of minutes ago I got a text message from a National League official who said the Red Sox are listening on [Jon] Lester, listening on Ellsbury. Their sense is that they're not especially motivated, unless some team overpays. So it might be that they hang on to Ellsbury."
Olney said the Reds are a potential trade partner due to Cincinnati's surplus of pitching, and the Braves have shown a willingness to trade a pitcher as well.
"It is interesting that even after the [Shane] Victorino signing, Boston is still talking with Cody Ross, still talking with a rep for Nick Swisher," Olney noted. "So, it tells you that they are leaving open the possibility that there's going to be an Ellsbury trade."
To hear the interview, go to the Mut & Merloni audio on demand page [1]. For more Red Sox news, visit the team page at weei.com/redsox [2].
Links:
[1] http://audio.weei.com/mut-and-merloni.htm
[2] http://www.weei.com/teams/red-sox/home
[3] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/red-sox