Sox Claim 3B/1B Juan Francisco Off Waivers

(USAToday Sports)

Now this is an interesting move. The Red Sox claimed left-handed-hitting 3B/1B Juan Francisco off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. This may be nothing more than 'Panda Fail Insurance' and/or a boost to the 2015 bench. Francisco strikes-out a lot (116 times in 108 games in 2014), and is not that great defensively—but he does have some pop (16 HRs in 2014). The 27-year old is arbitration-eligible ($2.2 million for 2015), so Boston could non-tender him before the December deadline (if they don't sign The Panda). All in all, a good low-risk move by Ben Cherington.

REPORT: PandaQuest—Sox (90%), Jays (10%)

A new report out of San Francisco claims that there's a 90% chance that Pablo Sandoval signs with the Red Sox. The report—from KPIX-TV's Dennis O'Donnell—states that the Giants were never The Panda's first choice and that they are effectively out of the running for the free-agent third baseman. The Blue Jays (where did they come from?) apparently still have a shot at Sandoval—although the confiscatory tax situation north of the border is a serious drawback for Toronto. Finally, the word is that a decision could come very soon.

REPORT: Red Sox Preparing Offer For Panda

According to CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam, the Red Sox are actively putting together a contract offer for free-agent 3B Pablo Sandoval. The Panda has been in Boston for the last couple of days—being wined and dined by Sox brass and David Ortiz. The scuttlebutt is that Sandoval is "expecting" a deal better than the 5 years and $90 million the Giants gave to Hunter Pence. It's unclear how the Red Sox offer will be structured—either in terms of length or amount. However, it is clear that Boston is serious about prying The Panda away from San Francisco. We would advise that you start checking eBay SF for used panda heads.

REPORT: Sox Offer To Lester Is 'On The Table'

According to ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes, the Red Sox made a contract offer to Jon Lester during a meeting between the lefty ace and team ownership. Lester rejected a 4-year, $70-million offer last Spring—with his current expected market value to be in 6-year, $140 million range. No specific terms of the Red Sox offer were made public. Lester is still scheduled to meet with the Cubs this week and the Braves next week. Late additional interest appears to be sprouting up from both the Toronto Blue Jays and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Where Will John Henry's $50 Million End Up?

(Press Association Images)

By most accounts, your Carmine Hose have a cool $50 million to spend this Winter. Their primary needs are obvious: two starters and a left-handed bat—preferably at 3B. And since John Henry is rumored to be selling his foreign soccer team (some 11th place bunch from the place the Beatles came from)—there may be even more loose cash around. Latest reports indicate that, while the Phillies are sniffing around at Boston's top prospects, Ben Cherington is more focused on bringing back Jon Lester—and using a Hamels trade as a fall-back. If the Red Sox offer Lester six years and around $140 million, he'll likely take it. That would leave plenty of dough to sign The Panda to a $90 million deal and also sign another starting pitcher (possibly James Shields). The brass on Yawkey Way had better not forget that they have a restless fan base lurking—with their Season Ticket payment deadline on December 17th. BenCher had better make a big splash before then, or StubHub will be flush with cheap seats in America's Most Cramped Ballpark and NESN's ratings will be even more reflective of their second-rate status.

Once Again, Thank You, Mr. David Ortiz

Phillies Scouting Three Top Red Sox Prospects

Despite the talk that the Red Sox are hesitant to give up top prospects, it appears at least one of their potential trade partners thinks they might. Multiple reports suggest that the Philadelphia Phillies are doing due diligence on three top Boston kids: catcher Christian Vazquez, starting pitcher Matt Barnes and IF/OF Mookie Betts. Obviously, all this background work would be in preparation of a blockbuster deal for left-handed ace Cole Hamels. Previously, all signals from Yawkey Way were that Betts was "untouchable", but Philadelphia would be expected to demand at least one top player like the 22-year-old phenom. Boston has Blake Swihart as a potential back-fill at catcher and have several quality arms to compensate for the loss of Barnes. Betts, however, would be a big loss—being the most obvious "sure bet" among the team's top young players. Stay tuned!

Panda Could Decide Before Thanksgiving

(Icon/SMI)

Multiple reports now suggest that Pablo Sandoval is talking "seriously" with the Red Sox and Giants about a 5-year deal in the $80-$90 million range. Moreover, word is that a decision by the Panda could come quickly—perhaps even before Thanksgiving. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick also reports that The Carmine Hose are "very serious players" in the Panda Sweepstakes. Stay tuned!

Jon Lester Is Meeting With Braves This Week

Jon Lester lives in the Atlanta area, so it makes sense that he'd want to at least 'check-in' with the Braves during his free agency tour. He'll be doing just that this week—but we'd be surprised if the big lefty is "Gone With The Wind" to Georgia (see what we did there?). First of all, the Braves seem to be in full "tank" mode for 2015—trading away Jason Heyward and rumored to be clearing even more space with a trade of Justin Upton. This, after they already traded away their starting second baseman—Tommy La Stella. Does Lester really want to be stuck in the baseball equivalent of Sherman's March To The Sea? Not bloody likely.