From mlbtraderumors.com

Reports: Red Sox near deal for Indians OF Coco Crisp
ESPN.com news services

The Boston Red Sox are nearing completion on deals that would bring them Cleveland Indians outfielder Coco Crisp and free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez, according to published reports.

The Boston Herald, citing unnamed baseball sources, reported that the Red Sox and Indians had agreed in principle on a deal that would send Crisp to Boston along with a swap of prospects.

The Boston Globe, also citing multiple major league sources, reported the team was still working on a deal for Crisp as well as a free-agent deal with Gonzalez, formerly of the Florida Marlins. Both newspapers said the Red Sox would include third-base prospect Andy Marte, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Edgar Renteria trade, as well as reliever Guillermo Mota.

The Herald reported the deal hinged on the Indians' ability to acquire another outfielder, possibly in a trade for the Phillies' Jason Michaels or through signing free agent Jeff DaVanon, formerly of the Angels.

Orioles got Anna Benson for Jorge Julio and John Maine.

Yeah, she's okay.

So, has that Manny fucker been traded to the Angels yet?

I don't think it's gonna happen.

Hmm. I was hoping to start off the new year in the right direction. In that case:

Blue Jays
Yankees
Red Sox
Orioles

Yeah, that looks right. For now, anyway.

Devil Rays?

Mota fails physical, putting Crisp deal in jeopardy
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- A deal that would send Cleveland Indians outfielder Coco Crisp to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Guillermo Mota and third base prospect Andy Marte was endangered when the right-handed reliever failed a physical in Cleveland.

The uncertainty surrounding that trade also put in question a spinoff deal in which the Indians would send left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes to the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Jason Michaels.

A Phillies official, speaking on condition of anonymity because no deal was ever announced, said the Phillies and Indians still could end up making a trade.

Mota and Marte have not played for the Red Sox, having been acquired this winter in separate deals.

Marte, one of the top prospects in the Atlanta system, went to Boston for shortstop Edgar Renteria. But Boston needs a center fielder to replace Johnny Damon, who left for the New York Yankees as a free agent. Crisp batted .300 with 16 homers, 69 RBI and stole 15 bases for the Indians.

The Red Sox were also expected to include catching prospect Kelly Shoppach in the Cleveland deal. The Indians had reportedly agreed to send reliever David Riske and backup catcher Josh Bard to Boston.

Mota was 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA and two saves in 56 games last season with the Florida Marlins. He spent about a month on the disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow.

Rhodes was 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 47 games with the Indians, but he missed much of the final two months with a knee injury.

Michaels hit .304 with four homers and 31 RBI and had a .399 on-base percentage while platooning with Kenny Lofton in center field for the Phillies. Last week, Michaels was placed on six months' probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service for fighting a Philadelphia police officer last year.

There was another story on Boston.com about Mota's agent denying this.

That deal allegedly came close to completion but fell through and is thought to be beyond resuscitation. Neither Flanagan nor Duquette denied that report on Tuesday, but they acknowledged the difficulty of trying to keep things secret at the Winter Meetings. And more to the point, they talked about how rumors can affect their players.