Sox Explore Renteria Deal With Braves
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
December 07, 2005
DALLAS -- Just as the Red Sox solidified one half of their middle infield with the addition of second baseman Mark Loretta, there were indications that they might be losing the other half. Discussions continued Wednesday between the Red Sox and the Braves on a deal that could send shortstop Edgar Renteria to Atlanta.
There were indications from some corners that the three-way deal that was rumored to also involve the Devil Rays on Tuesday had died down, and the Red Sox were working to make a deal on their own with Atlanta.
Under that scenario, the Red Sox would not get a Major League shortstop back in return for Renteria, instead likely landing prospects. If the deal does include Tampa Bay, the Red Sox would likely get shortstop Julio Lugo.
One stumbling block appeared to be that the Devil Rays were asking for more prospects than the Braves wanted to part with.
The Red Sox, while not acknowledging the Renteria deal specifically, said it would not be unheard of to trade a starting position player at this point in the offseason without getting one back in return.
"We don't play until April so we can't acquire everything that we might need in a meeting like this," said Red Sox senior advisor Bill Lajoie. "Fortunately the season doesn't start yet and we would be able to cover our bases as we go along."
"There's no game tomorrow, there won't be a game in January," said Craig Shipley, special assistant to the general manager.
Another obstacle could be financial. The Braves aren't said to be keen on picking up the entire balance of the four-year, $40 million contract Renteria signed with Boston in December 2004.
"A deal is like a contract in that nothing is done until all parts our done," said Lajoie. "So you leave it open so that either side can back out. We have to get permission from ownership to add money or if money becomes a factor, so that takes a little time."
Obviously, trading a player and then helping another team pay his salary is not an ideal scenario.
Back to 2005 Articles Page