Foulke Signs With Boston, J.D. Drew to Atlanta



ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox have signed closer Keith Foulke to a 3 year, $21 million contract. Foulke's previous club, Oakland, were rumored to have offered $24 million over 4 years.



Atlanta have acquired the oft-injured OF J.D. Drew and supersub Eli Marrero from St. Louis in exchange for pitchers Jason Marquis, Ray King and Adam Wainright .

The Cardinals, reluctant to make a bigger financial commitment to the former Philadephia draft choice Drew for 2005 and beyond. The Braves have picked up a potential star in, one far younger and cheaper than Gary Sheffield, but a guy whose durability & heart have been questioned.

The Foulke deal will have big repercussions for a number of clubs. Oakland are in need of a closer, though it is thought they'll take the money that they otherwise would've spent on signing Foulke and us it to try and sway OF Mike Cameron. With Guardado and Hawkins no longer available, the A's, much like the Mets, will be looking at a lower tier of available closers.

With Foulke now safely in the fold, it stands to reason that B.K. Kim and/or Scott Williamson will be deemed surplus to Boston's requirements. There's also the likelihood that the Red Sox will seek to deal Johnny Damon and/or Trot Nixon

Posted: Sat - December 13, 2003 at 02:24 PM      

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