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D2 Sports The Boston Globe TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 GM wading through options Nick Cafardo Fan's NEXT GAME WEDNESDAY, 7 P.M. THURSDAY, 7 P.M. SUNDAY, 1 P.M. at Charlotte vs. Chicago vs.

Miami CSN, WBZ-FM (98.5) NESN, WBZ-FM (98.5) CBS, WBZ-FM (98.5) ALSO ON THE AIR COLLEGE BASKETBALL TIME TV Villanova vs. Illinois 7 p.m. ESPN Seton Hall at Wichita State 7 p.m. ESPN2 UMKC at Iowa State 7 p.m. ESPNU IUPUI at Xavier 7 p.m.

FS1 Indiana vs. Louisville 9 p.m. ESPN Texas at Baylor 9 p.m. ESPN2 Alcorn State at Iowa 9 p.m. ESPNews Eastern Michigan at Michigan 9 p.m.

ESPNU South Dakota at Creighton 9 p.m. FS1 PRO HOCKEY Los Angeles at Buffalo 7:30 p.m. NBCSN PRO SOCCER UEFA Champions: Basel at Liverpool 2:30 p.m. FS1 The Sox certainly have tried to repair whatever ill will that caused. In the end they place a value on each player.

When that value gets to the point at which they won't cross a line, they walk away. They just did it with Andrew Miller, a pitcher they really wanted back, but paying an annual average value of $9 million was about a million dollars a year more than they thought they should spend on him. They already have exceeded that value with Lester, with estimates their offer may be in the upper $130 millions. A visit to Georgia by owner John Henry apparently didn't convince Lester to sign back with Boston right then and there, so the Cubs and Giants remain in the hunt. The Dodgers are apparently out, and there were rumors Monday night the Yankees are lurking.

"I was confident at the beginning of the offseason and I'm more confident now that we're going to be able to add pitching and have good pitching staff," Cherington said. "We're testing what teams' point of pain is. We have some established guys, and we have young pitching that we'd hold up against any organization in baseball. "In most deals, free agent or trade, the last call is you rarely do a deal without that pain. You have to cross that threshold.

You have to go a little past to get something." ries. I don't think we need a negotiating window." Is anything close? "We've advanced some conversations, but we're still in work phase put it all in a bowl and mix it up with cost and look where we're at. We have high-end i.e. young pitching coming, so if there are guys who get us to those guys, there's value in that, too," he said. So in other words, Cherington isn't waiting around for Lester.

In fact, there were several media reports Monday night that said the Sox had made an offer to free agent righthander Justin Masterson. "I think our fans expect us to deliver on the field and win games," he said. "In order for us to give the best chance we have to add to the pitching staff. There are all sorts of ways to do that. Of course there's a connection to certain players more than others.

But ultimately they care about the people we put on the field." The GM tackled the offense early in free agency and signed Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez in bold moves, spending about $180 million in the process. But there's plenty where that came from. You can argue until the cows come home whether the Sox blew it by not offering Lester a higher amount in their initial offer last spring. But as Cherington reiterated when asked about the low-ball offer, he said the Sox did want to reengage with Lester and after that the pitcher said he wouldn't negotiate. ON BASEBALL SAN DIEGO Meanwhile, in non-Jon Lester news at the Winter Meetings the Red Sox went about their business.

Yes, multitasking. The Sox have an army here, listening to all sorts of trade and free agent proposals. The action has been healthy on Yoenis Cespedes, Allen Craig, and certainly the players everybody wants Mookie Bet-ts, Xander Bogaerts, Blake Swihart, and Henry Owens. The Sox were not only preparing for life after Lester, but life with Lester and the "other pieces" they need to make their 2015 work. Cespedes becomes a chip in acquiring a middle-of-the-rota-tion starter.

You're not going to be able to make Cespedes-for-Lester in reverse, but before these meetings are over, the Mariners, Tigers, Reds, Padres, and Royals will have had a conversation with the Sox regarding Cespedes, with a pitcher going back to Boston. We've all heard the names in play David Price (who would be an ace and require an additional prospect) and Rick Porcello from the Tigers, Ian Kennedy from the Padres, Johnny Cueto (see Price), Mike Leake, and Mat Latos from Cincinnati, reliever Wade Davis from Kansas City, free agent James Shields. And on and on. "We need to build a rotation and we need to be in on all FILEJESSICA RINALDIGLOBE STAFF Ben Cherington had many trade options to consider. sorts of stuff and we have been in all sorts of stuff," general manager Ben Cherington said.

"There's probably 15-20 starting pitching scenarios we've talked about and worked on. Not all of those are going to land, more won't than will. But we're working as hard as we can. We're going to build a good rotation." And Cherington said he's not shying away from pitchers who are in the final years of their contracts. "There are a lot in that category and I don't think negotiating with one is a prerequisite to a deal," Cherington said.

"You have to value each situation. Even within that group there's a range of talent and performance. There's front-of-the-rotation guys, and that's a different category. I think there can be real value in a guy who's not signed long term if they fit into the rotation. It gives you a chance to get to know them and see if he does fit.

That group and free agent group and trades, we're sort of looking at all of those catego Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo globe. com. the Hall Tiant again denied By Peter Abraham GLOBE STAFF SAN DIEGO For the second time, former Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant was denied a place in the Hall of Fame by the Golden Era Committee. SOX Tiant received three or NOTEBOOK fewer votes from the 16- member committee of Hall of Famers, veteran executives, and historians. Twelve votes were needed for election and none of the 10 candidates reached that mark after deliberations concluded on Monday.

Former Phillies standout Dick Allen and longtime Twins outfielder Tony Oliva fell one vote short. Lefthander Jim Kaat, who won 283 games with the Twins and four other teams, missed by two votes. The Golden Era candidates primarily played between 1947-72. The committee will next consider candidates in 2017 for 2018 induction. Any new Hall of Famers would come only from voting by the BBWAA.

That announcement comes Jan. 6. Tiant was 229-172 over 19 seasons with the Red Sox, Indians, and four other teams. Tiant never received more than 18 percent in the voting done by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and fell off that ballot in 2002. Tiant compiled statistics that compare favorably with several Hall of Famers, including Catfish Hunter, Jim Bunning, and Don Drysdale.

"The results today are a reminder that election to the Hall of Fame is incredibly difficult and the highest honor an individu al can receive in baseball," Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark said. Checking Bogaerts Red Sox manager John Farrell was in Phoenix Sunday to meet with shortstop Xander Bogaerts. At the request of the team, Bogaerts is working out at the EXOS facility there. "He's in a great place physically," Farrell said. "And I think he is realizing the benefits of being in that program." The Red Sox wanted Bogaerts working with experienced trainers on his first-step quickness.

"That's not to say it's lacking. It's to say we can continue to improve it. And I think any player is going to benefit from overall core strengthening, he's going through," the manager said. Farrell also reported that second baseman Dustin Pedroia has recovered as hoped from surgery on his left hand and has started swinging at balls on a tee. "I think one of the more exciting things as we begin to get closer to spring training is getting Pedroia back to 100 percent health and strength," Farrell said.

Mike Napoli, who had his jaw realigned in an attempt to sure his sleep apnea, has started working out at Fenway and should be on the field when spring training starts. Fenway improvements The Red Sox will make some changes to Fenway Park this winter with the most significant for fans being improved cellular service and a Wi-Fi network that would be available to the public. 35-person group party suite will be the left-field line toward the There also will be a private outdoor behind the pavilion reserved sections for groups of 10-16 people. suites will add 150-200 seats to right-field roof deck will be renovated workout room will be added to clubhouse. 'Visiting players previously had shared the gym above the clubhouse.

out righted Jemile Weeks cleared waivers outrighted to Triple A Pawtucket. a space on the 40-man roster. obtained in late August from and was 8 for 26 in 14 games Sox Through Sunday, Rusney was 4 for 1 1 with a stolen base in for Caguas in the Puerto Rico League. Castillo started playing week after recovering from a Minor League Baseball recognized the Pawtucket Red Sox with the Moss Community Service Sunday. "The role of any successful must be to help lift those in its who are in need.

The past four we have quietly tried to do our PawSox president Mike Tamburro take great pride in our ongoing enhance the quality of life within community and for creating partnerships have carried on for generations." Abraham can be reached at pabrahamgIobe.com. BOSTONGLOBE.COMSPORTS Updates from baseball's Winter Meetings. More on the Patriots as they prepare for the Dolphins on Sunday. Videos, photos, and recaps from Super Saturday at Gillette. Sports COLLEGE football Mariota, Cooper, Gordon for Heisman Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Alabama receiver Am-ari Cooper, and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon are set to make the trip to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation after the finalists were announced Monday.

Mariota is considered the clear front-runner to win the 80th Heisman on Saturday. He would become the first Oregon player to earn college football's most famous player of the year trophy. Mariota and the second-seeded Ducks will face Florida State and last year's Heisman winner Jameis Winston at the Rose Bowl in the CFP semifinal on Jan. 1 Cooper helped Alabama earn the top seed in the playoff. The Crimson Tide play Ohio State in New Orleans.

Winston becomes the seventh player since 2003 to take a shot at a Heisman repeat and come up short. Ohio State's Archie Griffin (1974-75) is the only player to win two Heismans Arizona sophomore linebacker Scooby Wright won the Bronko Nagur-ski Award, given to the nation's top defensive player. Wright had 89 tackles 27 for a loss and 14 sacks, helping the No. 12 Wildcats earn a spot in the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State. Harvard's Hodges shares Ivy honor Harvard senior defensive end Zack Hodges was named a co-recipient of the Asa S.

Bushnell Cup, sharing the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year honor with Princeton linebacker Mike Zeuli. Hodges, who had a league-best 8 sacks, is the 10th Crimson player to receive the Bushnell Cup and fifth in as many seasons. He also becomes the first player to win the award in back-to-back seasons since Harvard's Carl Morris (2001-02). Yale running back Tyler Varga beat out Dartmouth quarterback Dalyn Williams as the Bushnell Cup's Offensive Player of the Year Boston College's Andy Gallik was named one of six finalists for the Bimington Trophy, awarded to the nation's most outstanding center Tennessee gave coach Butch Jones a two-year contract extension through the 2020 season, and a raise that will pay him $3.6 million per season. Jones had been making $2.95 million a year Houston fired coach Tony Levine after three years and a 21-17 record.

Defensive coordinator David Gibbs was named interim coach as the Cougars prepare for a Jan. 2 matchup against Pittsburgh in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth. MLS Revolution announce protected list Ahead of Wednesday's expansion draft, Major League Soccer announced each team's protected player list. The Revolution protected Kevin Alston, Teal Bunbury, Charlie Davies, Andrew Farrell, Jose Goncalves, Jermaine Jones, Daigo Kobayashi, Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe, Chris Tierney, and Bobby Shuttleworth. One name not on the list is Diego Fagundez, the 19-year-old midfielder from Leominster and the first homegrown player signed from the team's academy.

Fagundez will avoid selection because of a deal in place between the Revolution and both expansion teams, the Revolution confirmed Monday night. Orlando City has the first selection in the draft, followed by NYCFC. Once two players have been claimed from a team, that team cannot lose further players. In addition, once a player has been claimed from a club's non-protected roster, that club may move a player from its non-protected roster to its protected list The Revolution acquired goalkeeper Joe Nasco and a third-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for forwards Geoffrey Castillion, Dimitry Im-bongo, and a second-round pick next month. As part of the trade, the teams swapped picks in the 2015 SuperDraft, with the Revolution acquiring Colorado's third-round pick in exchange for their second-round pick Former US national team goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, 42, who played for the Seattle Sounders the past two seasons, announced his retirement after spending most of his career playing in England.

HOCKEY Jets' Kane suspended for two games The NHL suspended Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane for two games for boarding Anaheim defenseman Clayton Ston- er in Sunday's game. Kane, assessed a major penalty and game misconduct, loses $56,451.62 in salary, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund North Dakota remained the nation's No. 1 college team in the latest USCHO poll, receiving 38 of 41 first-place votes. Boston University, with one first-place vote, moved up one spot to No. 2, followed by Minnesota State, Michigan Tech, and Harvard.

The Crimson, who received six first-place votes, were ninth last week. UMass-Lowell is ranked eighth, Vermont 10th, Quinnipiac 15th, Boston College 16th, Providence 18th, and Merrimack 19th. MISCELLANY Pacers' Mahinmi sidelined 6-8 weeks Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi will be sidelined 6-8 weeks with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot University of Kansas forward Jamari Traylor was suspended for Wednesday's game at Georgetown after he was arrested over the weekend for interfering with a police officer. He is due in court Dec. 23 Tennis great Martina Navratilova will be working with Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, the 2012 Wimbledon runner-up and No.

6 in this season's final WTA rankings Elena Slesarenko, 32, the 2004 Olympic high jump champion from Russia, announced her retirement. a spot in with a no discount" offer. The Cubs can't afford to lose this one. Theo Epstein is in Year 4 of his six-year plan, and the Cubbies have been a disaster. Now that Joe Maddon has been hired to manage and a raft of alleged farm talent is big-league-ready, the Cubs need to make a splash and spend stupid money for Lester.

And in the continuation of their Biblical revenge game, Epstein needs to get the better of Larry Lucchi-no. The Giants make sense for Lester because they offer the best manager (luggage-head Bruce Bochy), the best general manager (Brian Sabean), the best ballpark, and the best city. They also have a roster of Southern boys, including one Buster and two Hunters. Lester is from greater Seattle, but his wife is from Georgia and he actually developed a Southern accent while working with Texans Josh Beckett, John Lackey, and ClayBuchholz. One caveat with the Giants: They believe the Dodgers might be bidding on Lester just to jack up the price for San Francisco.

A built down foul pole. space seating The new the park. The and a the visiting home Weeks Infielder and was That opened Weeks was the Orioles with the Castillo three games Winter again last hand injury John Henry Award on franchise community decades part," said. "We efforts to our that Peter For now, we're stuck decision With three championships in five seasons, the Giants do not have to play this game. The Yankees' silence continues to amaze everyone.

Lester simply makes too much sense for the Bronx Bombers. He's lefthanded, never misses a start, and has demonstrated that he can win in the American League East. I'm beginning to think the Steinbrenner boys are pondering selling their team in a few years and no longer want to be strapped with hundred-million-dollar contracts that extend toward 2020. So there. Lester might sign with the Cubs, he might sign with the Giants or the Sox brass might throw out all their rules and Lester might sign with Boston.

But I doubt it. Whatever happens, it needs to happen soon. So we can all get on with our lives and the Red Sox can go back to work assembling a pitching staff for 2015. Dan Shaughnessy can be reached at dshaughnessy globe.com be willing to go to seven years. In my view, the Sox bungled this when they didn't take care of business last spring and insulted their ace with a noncompetitive offer ($70 million, in the same spring in which the Tigers were offering their ace $144 million).

Then we had the ugly summer of 2014 and the trading of Lester and that awkward "I know it was you, Fre-do," parking lot, farewell hug between Henry and Lester. That was the day the hometown discount went out the door. Lester has since sold his Newton house and is likely insulted by the Sox' ham-handed efforts to exploit his loyalty and remind him how lucky he'd be to finish his career with the Red Sox. Now Lester has all the leverage and I believe the Sox are unwilling to go where this is headed. To their credit, the Sox have junked their arrogant "philosophy" and agreed to commit to six years on a pitcher over 30, but they still have their limits, and now they get to tell their fans that Lester was not sincere about his "hometown SHAUGHNESSY Continued from Page Dl Only Lester and his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, know where the white-hot lefty is taking his talents for the next six or seven seasons.

There is plenty of buzz and beer here in the grand lobby of the Manchester Grand, but thus far all the big deals seem to be on hold. Nothing really happens until Lester decides. The Red Sox thought they had their erstwhile ace back in the fold when Henry (also the owner of the Globe) made his personal visit to Lester's Georgia home last Friday. But the Cubs are not going away. And the Giants are still in this.

Lester's agents lingered with the Giants folks long into the night after the Patriots beat the Chargers here Sunday. As one who has been wrong millions of times, let me state again that I do not believe the Red Sox will sign Lester. I think they will draw their line at six years and $138 million and I think the Cubs and maybe the Giants will shoot past that line. The desperate Cubs might even.