Hot Stove Lunch: Red Sox inviting trouble by slow-playing trade talks

Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers a week from today. Days later, position players are set to join them.

Still unknown: will Mookie Betts join them?

The Red Sox continue to engage in trade discussions with both the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, but to date, there's been nothing finalized.

Despite the imminent arrival of spring training, the Red Sox apparently feel no sense of urgency to get a deal done this week, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. It's incumbent upon the Sox to get the best deal they can for Betts and the team is willing to wait for that to happen.



In the mind of Chaim Bloom, neither the Padres nor the Dodgers have other options to find an outfielder as good as Betts. All of the big free agents have signed and there's no one the caliber of Betts being made available via trade.

That's sound reasoning: the Red Sox shouldn't be rushed into anything on a move this consequential.

But there's a flip side to being this patient. Do the Red Sox really want to arrive in Fort Myers next week unsure of what's going to happen with Betts? Do they want Betts coming to camp not knowing whether he's going to be with the team or sent elsewhere?

This is already going to be a chaotic spring in Fort Myers. The Sox still need to hire a manager and at some point, the commissioner's office will announce its findings on the 2018 sign-stealing scandal.

Do they really want to make things crazier by having their best player answer questions about his future, too?

Elsewhere:

AL EAST

Miguel Andujar is trying to make himself more useful to the Yankees.

For the second time this offseason, the Rays have lost an executive to another team.

It would make sense for the Jays to bring back Kevin Pillar.

A preview of the Orioles' roster.

AL CENTRAL

It's time for the younger Indians starters to step up.

Jake Odorizzi has improved his velocity.

The White Sox uncovered a scandal in their ticket office.

Who will end up in CF for the Tigers?

Maikel Franco still has plenty of upside.

AL WEST

The Astros have a new GM.

Can Andrew Heaney stay healthy this year?

Is it time for the A's to lock up their best young players?

The Mariners signed their best starter to a contract extension.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

The Phillies announced plans to honor Roy Halladay.