FanPost

Red Sox, Beltre Still in Talks

Just when you think the spending is over with Jason Bay officially signing up to play for the mess that is the New York Mets, you get this news.

Via ESPN:

The Boston Red Sox remain quietly engaged in discussions for free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, according to an industry source.

The Beltre talks, expected to resume after the new year, have been complicated by the voiding of the Mike Lowell trade to Texas.

The Sox remain engaged in discussions on Beltre, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, even though his signing could put them over the luxury tax threshold.

Beltre, who is widely regarded as one of the best defensive third basemen in the majors, hit .265 with eight homers and 44 RBIs for the Seattle Mariners last season.

So theres still the potential Beltre could be headed to Beantown? I couldn't imagine going into the season with Beltre, Lowell and Kotchman. (Not to mention we still have Lowrie for a couple of weeks before he gets injured.) So there would still probably be a move before the signing. But, its not my money being spent. And I would absolutely love to see Beltre on the Sox.

This would almost certainly push us over the luxury tax threshold. But if the FO is okay with 

that, than that's all that really matters. I certainly get the feeling though that there is at least one more shoe to drop before our off-season is complete.

Some might not find this news significant, and a lot of this would still come down to whether or not Boras will lower his steep asking price (I mean he has to right?are there any other teams with rumored interest.) But I think this shows that the front office is at the very least aware that we have some catching up to do to the Yankees who have become even more formidable this offseason. (Assuming they find their final outfielder.)

Beltre's name has come up quite a bit this offseason, and this isn't exactly a shocking development. But what do you guy's think? Would Beltre still be worth the investment even with Mike Lowell still on the team?