According to multiple reports, the Boston Red Sox have come to terms with free agent outfielder Shane Victorino on a three-year, $39 million contract.
Yowsah.
The Cubs were briefly connected to Victorino earlier today – probably as his agent shopped around for final offers – and I said I didn’t necessarily see a ton of value on a three to four-year, $10+ million contract. Well, he got three years and $13 million per, so, yeah … not really shedding too many tears on this one.
There are some tangential implications for the Cubs:
Boston was not involved in the possible Michael Bourn race, so the fact that Victorino goes there doesn’t really help the Cubs (if they are truly in on Bourn, that is). Indeed, the fact that Victorino got $13 million per year probably makes Bourn (and Scott Boras) rather happy. Can he plausibly ask for … $16 to $17 million per year now? I think he can.
The signing does not displace Jacoby Ellsbury, for those who are hopeful. The current center fielder is under contract through 2013, only, and Victorino could hold down a corner spot before sliding into center in 2014, should Ellsbury depart. I still don’t see the Red Sox shopping Ellsbury, and, even if they did, there will be teams much more interested in his 2013 services than the Cubs.
The Phillies were a possible destination for Victorino, and they’ll now have to look elsewhere. That could mean Bourn, or it could mean a trade. Danny Knobler has reported that the Phillies want a right-handed hitting outfielder whom they can insert into the middle of their lineup. Yes, that screams Alfonso Soriano.
The signing means Cody Ross definitely won’t be returning to the Red Sox. What are the chances he could be a right field target for the Cubs? Nice power, nice overall player … doesn’t get on base as much as you’d like.
Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here.
Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.
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