Red Sox Rumors: Fact or Fiction on All the Hottest Rumors in Boston

With the winter meetings over, the Boston Red Sox are still looking to add one more slugger to their lineup and more depth to their pitching staff.

Rumors are really flying around on some of the top free agents; so, who knows for sure what is fact or fiction in the rumor mill.

I hope to clarify these rumors.

Fiction: Dempster Will Still Come to Boston

Ryan Dempster already rejected a two-year deal worth $25 million from the Red Sox late last week. But does that mean he really does not want to come to the AL East?

Yes, in fact it does.

According to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com, baseball sources have said that Dempster is more interested in pitching for a National League club that has spring training in Arizona. Sure, the Red Sox could throw some money at him, but it is not worth it to overpay for a guy who might not do well in the AL East.

Fact: Shaun Marcum Could Be in a Red Sox Uniform

Shaun Marcum is on the long list of starters that the Red Sox are still interested in, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com.

Marcum is one of those pitchers who has dealt with multiple injuries in recent years, but he has pitched in the AL East before. He lasted five years with the Toronto Blue Jays with a 3.85 ERA in the tough AL East.

Sure, he may be injury-prone, but he would be a great asset to have as a fourth or fifth starter for short money since he has not performed that well lately.

Fiction: Josh Hamilton Is Still an Option

The Boston Red Sox are still in the mix for the Rangers slugger, but he is still looking for that long-term deal.

Josh Hamilton is looking for a six-year deal, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN, and the Red Sox are only in the mix to drive the price up for the Texas Rangers.

This type of contract is too much for the Red Sox. Maybe not money-wise, but definitely length-wise. The Red Sox need to learn from recent contract negotiations that they need to stick to the short, three-year deals to stay successful—unless it is a contract extension for a younger player, such as Dustin Pedroia.

Fact: Nick Swisher Is Still an Option

With the Red Sox one of four teams still interested in Nick Swisher, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN, they still have a shot at signing the first baseman/outfielder to some sort of deal.

The Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees are the other three teams.

I don't see Swisher going back to New York only because they didn't seem to want him back earlier in the offseason.

The Red Sox are looking for a left-handed bat to play outfield and/or first base to go with Johnny Gomes/Mike Napoli and Swisher can do both.

Plus, Gomes can not play everyday and is the fourth outfielder on this club, even for $5 million per season.