By: Alex Speier
According to SI.com, the Red Sox talked to the A's and White Sox about the
possibility of dealing closer Jonathan Papelbon and signing Rafael Soriano to
a one-year deal to serve as their closer. But Soriano ended up signing a
three-year, $35 million deal to pitch for the Yankees, and Papelbon ended up
agreeing to a one-year, $12 million deal as he enters his final season with
the Red Sox before reaching free agency.
"The Red Sox showed interest in Soriano, and appeared willing to do a
one-year deal for him to be their closer. Had that happened, Boston would
have found a new home for Papelbon, probably Oakland or the White Sox,"
according to the report. "The Red Sox were unable to trade Papelbon because
teams saw a high number like [his $12 million agreement] on the horizon."
The Sox had also made an offer to free-agent Mariano Rivera earlier in the
offseason; had Rivera agree to such a deal, the Sox would have non-tendered
Papelbon, thus making him a free agent. However, WEEI.com reported earlier
this offseason that it was Rivera who initiated the contact with the Sox, and
members of the Boston front office never expected that Rivera would trade
pinstripes for Red Sox.
http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2173511/report-sox-
explored-dealing-papelbon
http://is.gd/avdzwK