The Boston Red Sox have officially signed 12 free agents, one of whom is former Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva to minor league deals. All of 12 have been invited to Spring Training as non-roster players. If he reaches the majors, Silva is projected to earn exactly $1,000,000.

The entire list of players includes pitchers Silva, Rich Hill (reported earlier), Brandon Duckworth, Will Inman, Doug Mathis, Tony Pena Jr., Chorye Spoone, Jesse Carlson (reported earlier), Charlie Haeger, Justin Thomas as well as infielders Pedro Ciriaco and Nate Spears. While some of these names are recognizable, none are more so than Silva.

Silva, 32, has been in the big leagues since 2002 and has pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies (2002-2003), Minnesota Twins (2004-2007), Seattle Mariners (2008-2009) and Chicago Cubs (2010). In 2011, Silva was released by the Cubs and signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees, where he was 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA between double and triple A. He was later released because of some nagging health problems.

Silva’s major league track record is a respectable one, to say the least. In his nine seasons in the majors, Silva is 70-70 with a 4.68 ERA with over 1,200 innings pitched. Silva owns a staggeringly low 1.7 BB/9 rating for an innings eater. His best season came in 2004 with the Twins (14-8, 4.21 ERA), but his 2010 campaign was a close second (10-6 4.22 ERA). The Red Sox have been looking for low cost options to build depth in their pitching rotation, so this move was really right up their alley.

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In an effort to address the team’s bullpen needs, the Boston Red Sox acquired all-star closer Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday for outfielder Josh Reddick and two minor league prospects. The move comes a week after the Red Sox attempted to obtain Bailey and pitcher Gio Gonzalez; with the Nationals getting Gonzalez in a separate deal.

The trade helps address the teams glaring pitching weakness, as all-time Red Sox saves leader Jonathan Papelbon departed for the Philadelphia Phillies. In a smaller deal earlier in the month, Boston traded minor league talent to the Houston Astros for late-inning reliever Mark Melancon. The expectation would be that if other deals could not be arranged during the off-season, the Red Sox would have at least one additional arm in the bullpen; one with prior closer experience.

The loss of Josh Reddick will be of little impact on the Red Sox, despite his .280 batting average. In the trade, the Sox also obtained a platoon outfielder in Ryan Sweeney who will compete with minor leaguers Daniel Nava and Ryan Kalish both have previous major league experience with Boston.

Bailey arrives in Boston after serving as the A’s primary closer the past three seasons; compiling a 7-10 record and a 2.07 earned run average. The righty has saved 75 games during that span; with just nine blown saves. This past season, Bailey saw his earned run average climb to 3.24, but still maintained a respectable walks per innings pitched ratio of 1.10.

The acquisition of Bailey will come as a welcomed addition, as the Red Sox now have some pitching flexibility with three quality arms at the end of the bullpen; including Daniel Bard who may see his role changed to become a starting pitcher in 2012. In four career appearances in Fenway Park, Bailey has accounted for three saves and an earned run average of 7.20. Not exactly statistics that generate much optimism. From an optimist’s perspective, the new closer has garnered 15 saves in 15 opportunities against the eastern division’s primary competition (New York, Tampa, and Toronto). Which version of the closer will take the mound for Boston is still anyone’s guess.

With the addition of returning left-handed utility pitchers Alfredo Aceves and Andrew Miller, along with specialists Matt Albers and Bobby Jenks; Boston has some pitchers to work with. Aceves and Bard both have been identified by the team as possible candidates to fortify the starting rotation. Last season Aceves’ versatility made him one of the most valuable pitchers on the staff; compiling a 10-2 record with a 2.61 earned run average. The 30-year old right-hander also started four games for Boston last season; where he posted a 1-1 record over 21 innings pitched.

Bailey may bring some stability, but the level of remaining talent in the bullpen is untested at best. Last season’s free agent bust, Bobby Jenks figures to be part of the equation in 2012; but his performance was disappointing at best.

In order to maintain the fiscal responsibility promised by Red Sox management this winter, the team will likely look to the minor leagues for promising youngsters to help fortify the bullpen. Lefty relievers Felix Doubront and Junichi Tazawa will join right hander Michael Bowden as strong candidates to fill critical middle innings assignments.

Thus far, the Red Sox offseason moves have done little to change the lingering memories of last season’s September collapse. The impact of losing Papelbon will not be fully known until his replacements take the mound and prove their worth. Boston is unlikely to make any additional moves to address the closer role and their aggressive effort in obtaining Bailey demonstrates a high level of confidence that he will be able to perform as needed next season. For Red Sox Nation’s sake, I hope that he delivers as promised as well.

Scott Duhaime is a fan of the Boston Red Sox for over 30 years. His professional career includes a solid foundation of analytics that contributes to a better appreciation of player and team contributions.

Sources

Yahoo! Sports Article: A’s Trade Bailey, Sweeney to Red Sox

Yahoo! Sports Player Profiles: Andrew Bailey, Ryan Sweeney, Josh Reddick

Yahoo! Sports: Boston Red Sox Home Page

Yahoo! Sports: MLB Pitching Statistics

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That’s all for today.

By now, everybody in Red Sox Nation knows that Bobby Valentine hasn’t been able to get in touch with Carl Crawford. In fact, as of December 29^th, the two apparently have yet to exchange a single word, which doesn’t exactly boded well for the Boston Red Sox’ 2012 season. Valentine is at the helm, whether Crawford likes it or not, and his resounding silence while Bobby V calls out “Bueller…Bueller…Bueller” only makes Crawford look bad.

Maybe I should say that it makes him look “even worse,” since the last image fellow fans here in Massachusetts have of the much-hyped leftfielder was that horrific blown catch and his “oh well, too bad” attitude in the locker room afterward. Would it have been too much to see some faint hint of emotion, the slightest glimmer of frustration maybe? Oh, that’s right, Crawford is kicking back and enjoying a 7-year $142 million investment from former GM Theo Epstein and company, which I guess leaves him unaccountable enough to feel like he can blow off the new BoSox skipper.

To be sure, there’s undoubtedly some bad blood between Crawford and Bobby V, which is what happens when a commentator speaks candidly about the guys out on the diamond. Josh Beckett will likely be equally tough to win over. But despite Beckett’s involvement in the chicken-gate scandal, he’s still held in pretty high regard by most fans I know, and many don’t doubt that he can be the ace of the rotation once again.

Meanwhile, all Crawford has done so far is live up to his goofy “perfect storm” nickname, but in all the wrong ways. There’s plenty of blame to go around for the Red Sox’ September collapse, and it’s far from clear that they would’ve survived for long even if they’d made it to the postseason. Nevertheless, Crawford’s blown catch is a perfect symbol of just how that season unfolded. Like Crawford himself, the sky-high potential of that season plunged into the depths of outright embarrassment.

Which is exactly why it isn’t encouraging that Crawford has yet to return Bobby V’s calls. Maybe he doesn’t realize that while he may not owe anything to Valentine the man, he owes plenty to Valentine the Red Sox manager, and he should be bending over backwards to show Red Sox Nation that he’s more than just one of the biggest disappointments in the history of Boston sports.

Maybe he’s on his way to do just that, at least if you take Pedey’s word for it. Dustin Pedroia recently went to bat for Crawford in the figurative sense, saying that he’s “texted Carl a few times” and insisting that he’s “working his butt off” and “on a mission…to prove a lot of people wrong.” We can safely assume that Valentine is one of the people he’s trying to prove wrong. Nevertheless, one can only hope that Crawford eventually realizes that he’ll have to be working with him to do that.

Taurus Londono has lived in Massachusetts for over ten years. He is a longtime fan of the Boston Red Sox.

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As the MLB offseason trudges along, it’s clear that some teams aren’t finished putting together their rosters, and you can add the Boston Red Sox to that list. Fellow fans here in Massachusetts know that the Red Sox still have gaps to fill, and the rumor mill is churning accordingly. Matt Garza’s name is the latest to float to the surface, but will this story stick?

Of course, there’s good reason to think that Garza would be a logical fit for the Red Sox roster. It’s no secret that GM Ben Cherington and company are looking to bolster the pitching staff, and he could very much be on the table in a potential deal with the Chicago Cubs. If Garza’s brought in, he might end up working with as good a pitching coach as Red Sox fans could hope for right now.

As the Red Sox wrap up a coaching overhaul, with Alex Ochoa and Jerry Royster brought in at first and third base respectively, the most impressive new hire not be named Valentine might be Bob McClure. McClure was recently named the new pitching coach and laid out his goals in a fairly straightforward way. McClure’s six seasons coaching with the Kansas City Royals included helping to mold Joakim Soria (who Cherington has reportedly pursued) and Zach Greinke, who won an AL Cy Young in 2009.

Garza would be a major injection of talent for McClure to work with. Provided, of course, that good old Theo Epstein is willing to give him up. Make no mistake, Garza would be costly but worth it. The 28-year-old RHP has averaged a 3.83 ERA over the course of his six seasons in the majors. He has a 109 ERA+ on average over the same time. Last season with the Cubs, he pitched 31 games and finished with a 3.32 ERA. It’s worth remembering that he was 2008′s ALCS MVP, just his third year into his major league career.

Considering the steady decimation of the pitching staff, which now seems as though it will be without once-hyped Bobby Jenks (who recently underwent back surgery), Garza is exactly what the Red Sox need. Since the Soria deal (apparently) fell through, and Theo is reportedly open to dealing Garza to the Red Sox, it should be a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, Cherington and ownership (or perhaps just ownership) seem intent on filling in the gaps with low-cost, low-key moves. We can only hope that cheap gambles pay off, but if the Red Sox pass up on Garza, it isn’t clear that they’ll find a better deal let alone a cheaper one.

Taurus Londono has lived in Massachusetts for over ten years. He is a longtime fan of the Boston Red Sox.

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The Boston Red Sox will begin another exciting run in the Grapefruit League beginning in March. The first game in the 2012 Red Sox Spring Training schedule is on Sunday, March 4 when the team hosts the Minnesota Twins down in Florida. The schedule stretches through April 3 before the regular season opener on Thursday, April 5 against the Detroit Tigers.

2012 Boston Red Sox Spring Training Schedule

Sunday, March 4

Minnesota Twins (SS) at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Monday, March 5

Boston at Minnesota, 7:05 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 6

Baltimore Orioles at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 7

Boston at Toronto Blue Jays (SS), 1:05 p.m. ET

Thursday, March 8

Boston at St. Louis Cardinals, 1:05 p.m. ET

Friday, March 9

Pittsburgh Pirates at Boston, 7:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 10

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston, 7:05 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 11

Boston at Baltimore, 1:05 p.m. ET

Monday, March 12

Florida Marlins at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 13

Boston at New York Yankees, 7:05 p.m. ET

Thursday, March 15

St. Louis at Boston, 2:35 p.m. ET

Friday, March 16

Minnesota (SS) at Boston, 7:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 17

Boston (SS) at Baltimore (SS), 1:05 p.m. ET

Baltimore (SS) at Boston (SS), 1:35 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 18

Boston at Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m. ET

Monday, March 19

Minnesota at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 20

Toronto Blue Jays at Boston, 7:05 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 21

Boston at Pittsburgh, TBD

Thursday, March 22

New York Yankees at Boston, 7:05 p.m. ET

Friday, March 23

Boston at Baltimore, 1:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 24

Boston (SS) at Florida, 1:05 p.m. ET

Philadelphia Phillies at Boston (SS), 1:35 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 25

Boston at Toronto, 1:05 p.m. ET

Monday, March 26

Boston at Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 27

Tampa Bay at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Thursday, March 29

Toronto at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Friday, March 30

Boston at Minnesota (SS), 1:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 31

Boston at Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m. ET

Sunday, April 1

Minnesota at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Monday, April 2

Washington Nationals at Boston, 1:35 p.m. ET

Tuesday, April 3

Boston at Washington, TBD

Source:

Red_Sox_Main_Site

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BOSTON (AP)—The Boston Red Sox have hired Bob McClure as pitching coach
and moved Tim Bogar to bench coach.

The Red Sox said Friday Alex Ochoa will be first base coach on manager Bobby
Valentine’s staff and Jerry Royster will be the third base coach. Bogar and
Ochoa both played under Valentine with the New York Mets.

Bogar is in his fourth year with the Red Sox, spending the last two as the
third base coach.

McClure recently joined the Red Sox organization as a special assignment
scout and instructor. He spent the previous six seasons as the pitching coach
for the Kansas City Royals.

Ochoa was the hitting coach for Boston’s Class-A affiliate in Salem of the
Carolina League.

Royster was most recently the manager of the Lotte Giants of the Korea
Baseball Organization from 2008-10.

Not much else going on in the MLB planet today.

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox officially announced the rest of manager Bobby Valentine’s staff on Friday, naming Bob McClure the pitching coach, Jerry Royster third-base coach and Alex Ochoa the first-base coach.

Tim Bogar has been named Valentine’s bench coach, while hitting coach Dave Magadan and bullpen coach Gary Tuck also return for 2012.

All had been previously reported except Ochoa. The 39-year-old has been with the Red Sox organization since 2009 and most recently was the hitting coach for Class A Salem. He served as a staff assistant for the Red Sox in 2009.

In 2010, he served as a special assistant in the baseball operations department. Ochoa played eight years in the majors, including the 1996 and 1997 seasons for Valentine in New York with the Mets.

Bogar, 45, enters his fourth year with the Red Sox. He spent the past two seasons as Boston’s third-base coach, and the 2009 season as the first-base coach. He also played for Valentine with the Mets in 1996.

McClure, 59, recently joined the Red Sox organization as a special assignment scout/instructor. He spent the past six seasons as the pitching coach for the Kansas City Royals.

Prior to joining the Royals, he served as a minor league pitching coach in the Colorado Rockies system for seven seasons. He began his coaching career with the Florida Marlins in 1994 as a coach on the major league staff and also served as a scout with the Marlins in 1996.

McClure played 19 seasons in the big leagues with the Royals, Brewers, Expos, Mets, Angels, Cardinals and Marlins, posting a 68-57 record with 52 saves and a 3.81 ERA in 698 career games (73 starts).

Royster, 59, has been involved in professional baseball for more than 40 years. He most recently managed the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization from 2008 to 2010, becoming the league’s first foreign manager.

Joe McDonald covers the Red Sox for ESPNBoston.com.

Follow Joe McDonald on Twitter: @espnJoeyMac

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APNewsBreak: Yankees hit with $13.9M luxury tax

By RONALD BLUM

AP Sports Writer

(AP) — The New York Yankees were hit with a $13.9 million luxury tax bill Thursday, their lowest since 2003.

The fee, assessed by Major League Baseball under its labor contract, is down from $18 million last year and $25.7 million in 2009, when the Yankees won the World Series.

Boston, which missed the playoffs for the second straight season, is the only other team that will have to pay a tax. The Red Sox received a bill for $3.4 million, up from last year’s $1.5 million.

Season-ending payroll information and the tax was sent to teams and obtained by The Associated Press.

According to the collective bargaining agreement, checks to pay the tax must be sent to the commissioner’s office by Jan. 31.

New York has paid the tax in all nine years since it began, $206 million of the $227 million raised under the penalty for high payrolls. The only other teams to pay have been the Red Sox (a total of $18.8 million), Detroit ($1.3 million) and the Los Angeles Angels ($927,000).

The Yankees pay at a 40 percent rate on the amount of their payroll over $178 million, a figure that includes the average annual values of contracts plus benefits. Boston, which exceeded the threshold for the second straight year, pays at a 30 percent rate. For purposes of the tax, New York’s final payroll was $212.7 million and Boston’s was $189.4 million.

Under the new labor contract, the Yankees’ rate would increase to 42.5 percent next year and 50 percent in 2013 if they continue to exceed the threshold, and Boston’s rate would go up to 40 percent next season.

But if in any year a team goes under the threshold, its rate decreases to 17.5 percent the next time it pays the tax.

As an added incentive for the high-spenders to decrease payroll, if they get under the threshold they will become eligible to get back some of the money they contribute in revenue sharing. The tax threshold stays at $178 million through 2013, then goes to $189 million in each of the following three years.

New York’s payroll under the conventional method of calculation – salaries and prorated shares of signing bonuses – increased from $215 million to $216 million, still below its high of $222.5 million in 2008.

Boston remained second and finished at $174 million, an increase of $3 million. Philadelphia stayed third at $165 million, a rise of nearly $20 million.

Even before adding Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, the Angels were fourth at $143 million, followed by the financially troubled New York Mets at $142 million, an increase of $14 million and a figure that likely will drop by $30 million or more next season. They were followed by the Chicago teams, who both missed the playoffs, with the Cubs at $141 million and the White Sox at $126 million.

World Series champion St. Louis was 11th at $113 million, and AL champion Texas was 13th at $104 million. Milwaukee (16th at $93 million), Arizona (24th at $66 million) and Tampa Bay (29th at $45 million) made the playoffs from the bottom half of payrolls, while the 2010 champion San Francisco Giants ($125 million) and Minnesota ($115 million) were among the high-spending teams to miss the postseason.

The Marlins, who have added free agents Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell as they prepare to open their new ballpark, were 25th at $62 million. The Los Angeles Dodgers kept their payroll steady at $110 million as owners Frank and Jamie McCourt argued in divorce proceedings that helped cause the team to file for bankruptcy. The Dodgers’ payroll had been $132 million in 2009.

Kansas City dropped from $77 million to last at $45 million. Houston, sold during the season, fell to $81 million from $90 million last year and $108 million in 2009.

Overall payroll was $43,000 shy of the $3 billion mark, up from $2.91 billion last year.

Payroll figures are for 40-man rosters and include salaries and prorated shares of signing bonuses, earned incentive bonuses, non-cash compensation, buyouts of unexercised options and cash transactions, such as money included in trades. In some cases, parts of salaries that are deferred are discounted to reflect present-day values.

The commissioner’s office computed the average salary at a record $3,039,161, up 3.6 percent from last year’s $2,932,162. The players’ association, which uses a slightly different method, pegged the average at $3,095,183 earlier this month, up 2.7 percent from $3,014,572.

Updated December 23, 2011

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Read More: Gio Gonzalez (P – OAK), Tom Milone (P – WAS), Derek Norris (C – WAS), Brad Peacock (P – WAS), Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals

Well, so much for that rumor. Gio Gonzalez, a left handed starting pitcher, has reportedly been traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Washington Nationals for a group of prospects, according to ESPN’s Keith Law.

The Boston Red Sox were reported to be one of two potential destinations for the A’s southpaw on Thursday afternoon, with the other being the Nationals. In exchange for Gonzalez, the Athletics will receive prospects Brad Peacock, Derek Norris, A.J. Cole and Tom Milone.

Gonzalez was drafted by the Chicago White Sox with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft, but he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2005 and later dealt again back to the White Sox before begin sent to Oakland.

In his rookie season in 2008, Gonzalez went 1-4 with a 7.68 ERA in 10 games. Gonzalez blossomed into a star in 2010, posting a 15-9 record with a 3.23 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 33 starts. Last season, Gonzalez went 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 32 starts.

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There is the quick update of the day.

Following the departure of Jonathan Papelbon to the Philadelphia Phillies, one of the most glaring holes the Boston Red Sox face this offseason is at closer.

While there are options available, free-agent success when dealing with closers is never a sure thing. Since the 2003 season, the Red Sox have had much success at the position but it wasn’t all great (remember the failed closer-by-committee project?). Since 2006, the Red Sox had one of the game’s best closers in Papelbon.

Any success at the closer position would be tough to duplicate when replacing via free agency but Papelbon averaged 37 saves with a 1.02 WHIP and 2.33 ERA during his time as Boston’s ninth-inning man. Love him or hate him, Papelbon was key to the team’s success and he’ll be tough to replace.

So, what are the options?

The trade to acquire Houston Astros closer Mark Melanson seemed to put an end to the closer discussion once and for all but talks have continued with Cincinnati’s Francisco Cordero, leaving, as the Red Sox Monster writes, more questions than answers.

The first and most-discussed option is Daniel Bard. Much has been discussed about Bard during the offseason. He has been considered a potential reliever-turned-starter as the team’s starting rotation needs became more apparent following the epic September collapse. He has also been considered for quite some time the heir apparent to Papelbon at the closer role.

On the surface, it makes so much sense. Bard has proven himself reliable in tough, late-game situations. He has a heavy, heavy fastball that routinely reaches triple digits during his limited one-inning appearances. That fastball has helped him develop one of the game’s nastiest sliders. In a word, Bard’s perfect for the closer role.

Questions remain, however, if and when the Red Sox name Bard their next closer. Most importantly, his move to closer would create a hole in the ever-important eighth-inning role. Alfredo Aceves, who enjoyed much success in the Red Sox bullpen last season would be a likely candidate to jump into that spot but will Aceves-to-Bard be as effective as Bard-to-Papelbon?

A second internal — and highly unlikely option — would be Bobby Jenks. The former Chicago White Sox closer was brought in prior to the 2011 season in a low-risk deal. In a perfect world, he would have performed well enough last season to ease the pain of letting Papelbon walk. Injuries and inconsistency led to Jenks throwing only 15 2/3 innings last season. Back surgery this month all but ensured that Jenks will not be closing for the Red Sox in 2012.

If they’re not sold on Melancon, the Red Sox do have options beyond Bard and Jenks, and they’re rather enticing.

Originally considered dead, the Red Sox have reportedly resumed talks with the agent for Ryan Madson, who was out of a job when the Phillies signed Papelbon. Madson recorded 32 saves with a 0.92 WHIP and 2.08 ERA last season. Madson’s asking price, however, has been rumored to be above what the Red Sox would ideally pay.

Most recently, the Red Sox have been linked to closer Francisco Cordero. The Red Sox are reportedly one of four clubs bidding for the righhander who saved 36 games for the Cincinnati Reds last season. Like Madson, Cordero’s asking price may be too much for the Red Sox. He just completed a four-year $45 million deal.

A third option and one that the Red Sox could have more stock in considering the value is Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey.The 2009 American League Rookie of the Year recorded 24 saves with a 1.10 WHIP and 3.24 ERA last season. Since becoming the A’s regular starter, Bailey has averaged 25 saves, a 0.95 WHIP and 2.07 ERA. The only question surrounding Bailey is what it would take to acquire him via trade from Oakland.

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Former big leaguer Jerry Royster will be joining Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine’s staff as third-base coach, replacing Tim Bogar, who will move to bench coach, according to team sources.

Valentine confirmed the Bogar move during an appearance Wednesday on sports radio WEEI.

Royster, who was drafted by the Dodgers two years after they took Valentine, first posted the news on his Facebook page. Contacted Tuesday night, Royster said he would speak “soon,” but that he had “unfinished business.”

Bogar, who was the third-base coach under Terry Francona the past two seasons, becomes an obvious candidate to succeed Valentine when his term with the Red Sox ends. Valentine is signed for two years, plus an option. Bogar played for Valentine’s Mets in 1996.

“One of my former pupils,” Valentine said of Bogar during an ESPN broadcast of a Red Sox game last season. “A very good baseball man and future manager at the big league level, no doubt.”

Valentine acknowledged Wednesday on WEEI that his last business interaction with Bogar wasn’t under the best of circumstances.

“I guess when I was managing Tim in New York he was traded to the Astros — or he might have been released and then signed by the Astros — but it wasn’t a pleasant situation,” Valentine said. “But since then we’ve had a relationship where I’ve seen him in the dugout or I’ve seen him on the field and I’ve always admired his passion for the game of baseball and his knowledge of the game of baseball.”

When pressed on details of the Bogar move from the Mets, Valentine added with a laugh: “What I have to do is look up the facts and see if it was a release or a trade, but I remember it was an ugly situation.”

The Red Sox have yet to name a pitching coach, but Valentine said Wednesday that they have decided on a candidate and an announcement could be made shortly.

“Basically I’ve exhausted all friendships, relationships, lists that I’ve seen of many, many ex-pitchers and pitching coaches that are out there,” Valentine said.

He said he and his Red Sox colleagues have “gone through the names, have gone through the interviews and I think that we’ve come to one mind of who that guy is going to be. It should be announced as soon as [Red Sox GM] Ben [Cherington] gets the contract signed.”

A major league source said they were giving serious consideration to former big leaguer Neil Allen, who managed Tampa Bay’s Triple-A team last season, but a Red Sox source shot down that possibility Wednesday morning.

Also Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap reported that former Boston first baseman Bill Buckner will join the Cubs’ Class A affiliate Boise Hawks as their hitting coach — ending speculation that he could be hired to join the Red Sox coaching staff. Buckner makes his home in Bosie, Idaho.

DeMarlo Hale, who became Boston’s bench coach when Brad Mills was hired to manage the Houston Astros before the 2010 season, has gone to the Baltimore Orioles as their third-base coach after he was not interviewed prior to Valentine’s hiring.

Royster and Valentine never played together in the Dodgers’ system, except in spring training. Valentine made it to the big leagues with the Dodgers in 1972 but was traded to the California Angels a year later, when Royster made his big league debut with the Dodgers.

Royster, an infielder, played for five teams in 16 seasons, 15 of which were spent in the National League. He retired just before his 36th birthday, then became a minor league coach, instructor and manager before returning to the big leagues as the third-base coach for the Colorado Rockies in 1993, their inaugural season.

He coached third for the Milwaukee Brewers before replacing Davey Lopes as manager two weeks into the 2002 season. He was fired at the end of the season.

Royster also spent three years managing the Lotte Giants in South Korea, becoming the first foreigner to manage in the history of the Korea Baseball Organization.

Royster, 59, is a cousin of former big leaguer Greg Vaughn, which makes him a distant relation of former Red Sox first baseman Mo Vaughn.

Gordon Edes covers the Red Sox for ESPNBoston.com. ESPNBoston.com’s Joe McDonald contributed to this report.

Follow Gordon Edes on Twitter: @GordonEdes

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Read More: Roy Oswalt (P – PHI), Boston Red Sox

Free agent starting pitcher Roy Oswalt has told teams he is interested in signing a one-year deal, and ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick suggests the Boston Red Sox are one of the teams intrigued by the possibility of signing the three-time All-Star.

Oswalt, 34, started 23 games last season for the Philadelphia Phillies, compiling a 9-10 record, 3.69 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 139.0 innings pitched. During 11 seasons in the MLB, Oswalt is 159-93 with a 3.21 ERA. The right-hander is interested in signing a one-year deal in hopes of proving that he is healthy and earning a longer, more lucrative contract after the season.

Crasnick reports that at least six teams are talking to Oswalt and suspects that the Red Sox, New York Yankees, Florida Marlins, Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals are among his suitors. The Phillies declined arbitration on Oswalt earlier this offseason.

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page or our blog, Over the Monster.

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