Talks heat up on Gagne

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December 5, 2006

Talks heat up on Gagne

By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The market for come-backing closer Eric Gagne is heating up, and word is Gagne could be signed by the end of the week.

Smack in the middle of it are the Red Sox. The Sox currently have the best opportunity for Gagne, who would be their closer. The Indians could also be in the same boat, also in need of a closer, but Sox dollars could trump the Indians.

Among those in on Gagne are Texas, Toronto, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gagne, who had back surgery, has just recently begun to throw. While Gagne was originally going to take part in a workout for some teams, that's been scrapped because of the intense interest in him.

More winter meetings tidbits from today:

J.D. Drew's final contract with the Red Sox is only a few minor language issues and a physical away from completion. The Sox could announce a four-year deal (with a fifth-year option) before they leave on Thursday.

Not much has happened here on Daisuke Matsuzaka. Agent Scott Boras has been busy with trying to get a deal done on Greg Maddux with the San Diego Padres and with Barry Zito and a number of different teams.

The sides remain far apart, with nine days to go before the deadline.

Manny Ramirez talk is dying down and the possibility is getting stronger that Ramirez will return to the Red Sox, barring a blockbuster offer by one of the West Coast teams.

The Globe's Gordon Edes reports that the Sox have made an inquiry with the Pittsburgh Pirates on both lefty closer Mike Gonzalez and righthander Solomon Torres.

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