http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/r ... _renteria/

Red Sox about to sign a four-year deal with Edgar Renteria
By Gordon Edes and Bob Hohler, Globe Staff | December 11, 2004

ANAHEIM--The Red Sox are on the verge of signing free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria, several baseball officials said today, to a four-year deal in the $40 million range.

No official announcement was issued by Sox officials this afternoon. GM Theo Epstein was meeting with Fernando Cuza, agent for Pedro Martinez, in hopes of concluding a deal for the Dominican ace. The Sox have guaranteed a third year in their offer, raising the value of the deal to $38.5 million, plus an additional $2 million in incentives.

Cuza met Friday night with the New York Mets, the other club that has aggressively pursued Martinez, and expected to meet again with Mets GM Omar Minaya again today.

The Sox also met with Scott Boras, agent for catcher Jason Varitek, on Friday night, and were scheduled to meet again Sunday night.

Renteria, 29, played the last six seasons for the Cardinals after beginning his career with the Florida Marlins, for whom he was World Series MVP in 1997. A four-time All-Star, Renteria is a career .289 hitter, batting .366 against left-handers last season, when he hit .287 overall. He made just 11 errors in 149 games for the Cardinals, and was considered a leader in the Cardinals' clubhouse.

The Cardinals were expected to turn their attention to Orlando Cabrera, whose departure from the Sox is assured if they seal the deal for Renteria.

Carl Pavano, meanwhile, had come to terms on a four-year, $42 million deal with the Yankees, according to several baseball officials, though no official announcement was forthcoming

Why would the Sox let Cabrera go if they can sign him for less $ than Edgar Diareah?

I haven't check the stats but I think Renteria's a better offensive player and pretty close to being as good a defensive one. And what makes you think Cabrera won't end up with at least $10 million a year?

They may also be looking for that "leader" quality as well. The rumor is that when Hanley Ramirez (their top-prospect shortstop) is ready for the majors in a year or two, Rentaria will move to third. He would be monumental in training this kid, where as Cabrera may not be willing to go to third, and not the role model the Sox are looking for.

But I do love OC, and would love for him to get $10M+, particularly at a quality club like St. Louis.

i dont practice renteria

Neither one of these deals have been finalized yet.

Well, I've now read that the Renteria deal isn't nearly as close to being closed as it was reported to be. However, Pavano has already chosen the Yankees, they're just working on contract details.

Man, Carl Pavano wants to pitch for the Yankees; what a huuuuuuuge surprise.

In all honesty though, if Pavano chose a team other than the Yankees (well, maybe the BoSox, too), I would of thought that he had lost his mind.

whygodeep