Red Sox Free Agents

Most talk about the Red Sox these days focuses on the group of players who can be free agents at the end of the season. This group includes Pedro Martinez, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe and David Ortiz.

Everyone has an opinion on what will happen with these players and why should I be any different?

My guess is that the Red Sox have offered Nomar a three year deal in the $39-42 million range. I don't think Nomar will sign because he is still convinced he is worth more on the open market. However, I wouldn't be surprised if he did sign before Opening Day because the market has kinda been set with Chavez in Oakland ($11 million per year) and Tejada in Baltimore ($12 million per year).

The Red Sox have probably made Nomar their first player to negotiate with because they know that Pedro will be signed for more money than Nomar and they don't want to hurt Nomar's ego (yeah I know - but even though everyone says its a business - these things have to be taken into account).

Pedro will be signed because he's the best pitcher in baseball and the Red Sox know that. Consider this - if Pedro had another $16.5 million option for next year - don't you think the Red Sox would exercise that option by Opening Day? My guess is three years $45-50 million signed before Opening day.

The rest of the players will have to play the season in uncertainty. Of the three - David Ortiz is the most likely to get an extension before the season is over.