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December 8, 2005 »

Winter meetings update: On David Wells and Johnny Damon

It now appears more and more that any deal with the San Diego Padres will not include David Wells.

The Sox and Padres are said to be close on a one-for-one deal that would send catcher Doug Mirabelli to San Diego in exchange for second baseman Mark Loretta. Loretta has one year remaining on a long-term contract and would, of course, become the team's everyday second baseman.

The Sox continue to shop Wells, focusing on West Coast locales other than San Diego. They seem intent on getting bullpen help in any deal for Wells and, with Trevor Hoffman possibly headed for Cleveland, the Padres do not have the bullpen depth to deal either Akinori Otsuka or Scott Linebrink. Instead, the Sox have talked to the San Francisco Giants (LaTroy Hawkins), Los Angeles Dodgers (Jonathan Broxton) and Oakland A's (they have asked for former Boston prospect Justin Duchscherer, whom the A's are reluctant to move).

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Look for the Red Sox to improve their early low-ball offer to free agent Johnny Damon soon. Industruy sources indicate the Sox are preparing a four-year worth approximately $40 million, which could be presented to agent Scott Boras in the next 24 hours.

Boras and Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino had a negotiating session late Monday night, which was productive.

Boras has attempted to draw the Yankees into the bidding, but New York is reluctant to be used as a pawn and has told Boras that it would only be interested in a deal three years in duration.

-- Sean McAdam

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