Red Sox Fishwrap: Free Agent Offers, New Uniforms Update, Rule 5 Draft, More

Remember a few weeks ago when we linked to a story from Sox and Dawgs about some potential new road uniforms? Well, the images we saw apparently were not for real...but some new ones might be if you believe the buzz.

The club is apparently ready to join the rest of the sports merchandising world and introduce alternate jerseys and hats, something previously unheard of with the Olde Towne Team.

According to team president Larry Lucchino in an interview with WEEI, the team will unveil a new look Thursday night. Once again, Sox and Dawgs have some images and while my initial thoughts were, "Why?", the more I look at them, the more I don't mind. The Sox on the hat you see here has been available in the Pro Shop for quite some time. Now, the club will wear that as a hat at some point on the road.

As always, the public opinion will determine whether they're a hit. But like the point I've heard made lately, there was a time when we thought pink hats wouldn't make it either. And yes, you can buy the new merchandise now on MLB.com.

-While the only big splash out of the now-concluded Las Vegas winter meetings was the massive C.C. Sabathia contract, the Red Sox didn't make any public moves but GM Theo Epstein said the team made offers to three unnamed free agents. One is assumed to be catcher Jason Varitek with his agent Scott Boras saying an offer had been made.

The feeling you get from the media is that a deal for first baseman Mark Teixiera is imminent, meaning a trade for third baseman Mike Lowell is likely in the near future.

And what of pitcher A.J. Burnett, who suddenly has several teams wanting his services despite a history of injuries? If you believe the tax hikes for the rich are coming very soon, a flurry of activity should be expected by 12/31.

Our bet: Varitek signs a two-year deal with an annual value of $7-8 million, while Teixiera comes on board for six seasons and around $130 million. Burnett will not sign with the Sox, but another veteran surprise (maybe John Smoltz?) will be the only starter they ink.

- Boston did acquire a pitcher today, selecting Miguel Gonzalez from the Los Angeles Angels in the Rule 5 Draft. He's an intriguing pick, as he didn't pitch at all in 2008, last tossing 130+ innings with 81 strikeouts and 42 walks with a 3.38 ERA in the minors.

So why is this 24-year-old so intriguing? Gonzalez has been starting in the Mexican League this offseason and has been scorching, posting a 0.00 ERA in 36+ innings (10 games, six starts). That WHIP problem apparently has subsided with his 32 strikeouts to eight walks. He's a right hander and will turn 25 in May. A quick refresher on Rule 5 draft rules from Baseball America:

"To prevent teams from drafting players willy-nilly, each Rule 5 pick must be kept in the major leagues the entire following season or be offered back to his former team for half of the $50,000 selection price. Few players are ready for such a jump, so only about 10-15 get picked each year. Fewer still last the whole season in the big leagues. "

I guess David Aardsma and Chris Smith will have some competition come springtime.

- And finally, file this under the 'Oh' category: Boston sent AA reliever and 28-year-old Beau Vaughan (2-1, 2.12, 16 saves) to Texas to complete the November 28th deal for pitcher Wes Littleton.

Josh Nason - josh [at] smallwhiteball [com] - is the publisher and main writer of Small White Ball, an all-encompassing sports blog that began in 2007. You can also read on mixed martial arts, boxing and pro wrestling at brother site RopesRingandCage.com. If you're using any part of this post, please link back to www.smallwhiteball.com. Thank you!