Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona could be sending some of his current players to his old team.
Earlier this week, reports circulated which called the Indians the “center of trade activity.” Fox Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi piles on to the latest slew of rumors surrounding the team, stating that the Tribe’s front office is in talks that could send outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and starting pitcher Justin Masteron to Boston.
“It’s not clear how advanced the talks are,” writes Morosi, “but the fit is obvious: The Red Sox have the ability to take on payroll after unloading roughly $250 million in contracts three months ago, and the Indians are willing to listen to offers for virtually every player on their roster.”
Masterson was acquired the trade that sent long-time catcher Victor Martinez to Boston; he had played for Francona as well as Boston’s recently hired manager John Farrell during his time with the team. Both men reportedly admire Masterson, but the issue will exist in the fact that the right-hander is currently the Indians’ ace but would have the value of a middle-of-the-rotation starter in Boston.
Choo, the team’s most consistent bat over the last three seasons (save for the injury-riddled campaign in 2011), would add a middle-of-the-order bat that would slot behind outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Per Morosi, the Red Sox would be “more enthused” about Choo if he had more than one year left before free agency, but their newfound payroll flexibility could make it more feasible to keep him after 2013.
[Related: Indians trades need to look like more than cost cutting]
