May 11, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) pitches during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Buchholz started off the game very strong, but ran into trouble in the third and fourth innings. Melky Cabrera‘s RBI bloop single to score Colby Rasmus from second capped the rally in the third while an RBI single from Rasmus would score Adam Lind to put the Blue Jays up 2-0. Buchholz settled down from then on and wound up stringing together a pretty strong outing. He went 8 innings, allowing just those 2 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks while punching out a total of 4 and getting away with a no-decision.

The Red Sox bats also started the game off fairly strong, putting two men on base in each of the first three innings. In that fourth inning, however, Mark Buehrle settled into an incredible groove and set down each of the next 13 batters with ease. The streak was broken when David Ross worked a nine pitch walk to lead off the eighth.

That would drive Buehrle from the game in favor of Darren Oliver and on Oliver’s second pitch, Jacoby Ellsbury blasted a triple over Colby Rasmus’s head in center field. Ellsbury would score when shortstop Munemori Kawasaki couldn’t come up with a soft ground ball hit by Dustin Pedroia. Ellsbury raced across the plate to tie the game at 2-2, but that was all the Red Sox got in the inning.

Newly announced closer Junichi Tazawa came on to pitch the ninth inning, and ran into trouble almost immediately. His 2-2 fastball to Adam Lind was crushed over the wall to dead center to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 advantage. Tazawa managed to get out of the inning with only that run scoring and Will Middlebrooks doubled to lead off the bottom of the ninth. There was hope and excitement in the atmosphere until closer Casey Janssen induced a pop-out, fly-out, and ground-out to end the game and tie the series at one apiece.

Mar 10, 2012; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) at bat during the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. The Red Sox defeated the Rays 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The last thing Red Sox Nation needed to hear today was that another Red Sox player was removed from a game due to injury. Unfortunately that’s just what happened when Jacoby Ellsbury jammed his right heel getting back to first base in the first inning of Boston’s afternoon game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field in Clearwater, FL.

Ellsbury was removed as a precautionary measure in the second inning after he made an awkward half-slide into the first base bag on a catcher’s pickoff attempt in the first inning. Red Sox fans now wait and hold their breath until Monday when Ellsbury will be evaluated, after which the Red Sox will likely release a statement.

Although when fans hear the words Jacoby Ellsbury and injury in the same sentence they cringe, Ellsbury – aside from two devastating injuries in 2010 and 2012 – has been durable when he’s simply been nicked up. It’s a good sign that Ellsbury stayed in the game and attempted a steal before being removed on Sunday afternoon.

If Ellsbury’s injury is more serious the case for having Jackie Bradley Jr. – who smacked a three run homer and sac flied to drive in four runs for the Red Sox against the Phillies on Sunday – open with Boston to start the season becomes more compelling.

This spring Ellsbury is batting .250 this spring with 11 hits, 4 doubles, 6 walks, 4 Ks, 1 RBI and no bases stolen.

February 28, 2013; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. (74) works out prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Nobody can deny that there has been a ton of hubbub so far this winter surrounding top prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr., who has gotten off to a hot start in spring training.   But when the excitement eventually tamps down Sox fans should remember that the team already has a center fielder, and a pretty good one, in Jacoby Ellsbury.

So even though Bradley was again outstanding and is trying to play his way into the opening day lineup, just realize that if the Sox are going to be close to contention this season Ellsbury must be healthy, productive and a big part of the solution.

Bradley is going to have ample opportunity to show what he can do at Fenway, probably as soon as next season if, as expected, Ellsbury takes the big bucks and leaves town after this season.

The bottom line is this is a contract year for Ellsbury.  It is in his best interest to stay healthy and productive.  Every day he isn’t he is costing himself money on the open market.  I have to believe Ellsbury will be on the field as much as possible this season.

Although it will be hard to match the MVP-like numbers from 2011, everyone knows Ellsbury is capable of a monster year in his walk year.  Why shouldn’t the Red Sox be the ones to benefit from this?

I guarantee that is likely the thought process of Red Sox management as they watch the Ellsbury-Bradley scenario unfold in camp.

September 18, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) hits an RBI single in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

To those who think Ellsbury is traded before opening day because Bradley is flashing five tools, I say nonsense.  John Farrell has very few lineup slots where he can pencil in a guy’s name and not have to think twice.  Ellsbury is one of those names along with Pedroia, Middlebrooks and (hopefully) Ortiz.

Those guys have to be sure bets if the Sox are going to be significantly better than 2012.  The idea of trading one of them before the season even starts is ludicrous.  I’d be stunned if Ellsbury was moved before July.  The Sox would have to be overwhelmed by another team’s offer and I don’t see that happening this early in the calendar.

Bradley, no matter how great his tools and make up, has never played in a regular season major league game.  I don’t think the Red Sox would take such a risk with an unproven player out of the gate.  He’s a rookie and at some point pitchers will adjust and he will struggle mightly.  Yes, it would be great to have Bradley force his way on to the roster right now but to expect him to be the next Mike Trout might be asking a bit much.

Heck, even the Angels started last season with Trout in the minors before recalling him in late April to replace the washed up Bobby Abreu.  Ellsbury is far from washed up.

So before we say goodbye to a key player like Ellsbury before the season even starts, everybody just take a deep breath and chill.  I’m as excited as anyone about Bradley, but this team needs Ellsbury too.  Everything will work itself out in due time.

September 17, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

His agent is Scott Boras, who always takes his free agent clients to the highest bidder. The Red Sox seem to be taking a wait and see approach with Ellsbury because of his injury history and are grooming Jackie Bradley, Jr. as his eventual replacement.  And we all know the team has been extremely wary about handing out long term contracts lately.

But I actually see a way that Ellsbury could be re-signed to a long term deal if everything falls into place perfectly for the Red Sox.  It’s a long shot, but not impossible.

Almost everyone expects Ellsbury to bounce back from an injury plagued 2012 season and put up numbers similar to his MVP-like performance of 2011 because he is in a contract year.  That scenario may very well play itself out and if it does, he probably is gone. But what if it doesn’t?

What if Ellsbury has just an above average year in 2013?  Combined with his long history of injuries, it could depress his market value enough to give the Sox a window that allows them to offer him a long term contract at a reasonable rate.

Add those factors to the idea that Boras can tend to sometimes price his clients out of the market (see Michael Bourn and Ryan Madson) and it’s not that farfetched a scenario.

The Red Sox have to spend the money they recouped in the Dodger trade from last season somewhere.  Like it or not, Ellsbury is one of the most popular players in Boston.  If Sox management has the chance to lock him up for what they feel is a reasonable deal you’d have to think they’d be all over that.  It would allow them to keep another young, marquee position player to build around with Dustin Pedroia and Will Middlebrooks.  As fans we should never underestimate the power of marketing!

August 25, 2012; Boston, MA USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) hits a double during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

So let’s allow the season to play out before we all decide that we’ve definitely seen Ellsbury’s final days in a Red Sox uniform.  He might just be sticking around a bit longer.

For more on this story please see the link below to my web show where I further discuss this issue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s3PHHdjGwA

September 17, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

When you look at the circumstances from both Ellsbury’s and Boston’s perspective, it simply makes sense. After Ellsbury’s injury plagued and subpar 2012 season his marketability in a trade to land a premium pitcher and possible cash or prospects is at a low point. This makes for a marriage of convenience for both parties in 2013. Ellsbury will have the season to increase his marketability so, barring injury, Boston should get a top notch walk year effort from Ells. Ellsbury gets another year to set the table for a potential big payday. It’s one thing to report the news and offer an opinion. It’s another thing to be a fan and feel the pull of one of those what  if moments.

Ellsbury was called up and caught fire at the end of the last Red Sox championship season in 2007. In 33 regular season games he batted .353 and swiped 9 bases. His easy elegance in the outfield and willingness to sacrifice his body to make tough plays coupled with his startling acceleration, natural speed on the base paths and innate sense of timing made him an instant threat in the field and at the plate. Fans loved the kid.

In 2008 and 2009 Ells blossomed. He played in 145 and 153 games respectively, batted .280 and 301 and went berserk on the bases. Opposing pitchers became unhinged as Ellsbury stole a total of 120 bases in two seasons, setting the table and upsetting pitching rhythms to distraction.

Even more encouraging, his gap power and speed turned singles into doubles and doubles into triples. There was a buzz about the kid. People and the press showed up to see what the fuss was about. It was the end of the 2009 season, Boston had him locked up for another four years and the sky was the limit. Then the sky fell.

Nine games into the 2010 season Ellsbury charged hard for a ball in shallow left field. Yes, left field. Remember the absurd Mike Cameron experiment that shoved a budding star out of his natural position? I don’t. Not that I’m bitter about it. That’s a lie. Ellsbury collided with third baseman Adrian Beltre and lost in a big way, breaking multiple ribs. He came back for nine games in July, re-aggravated the injury – a diagnosis which the Red Sox medical staff had clearly  mishandled – and was lost for the season. Kevin Youkilis questioned Ellsbury’s stay away course of treatment. Ellsbury made a statement. It was awful and, in retrospect, the injury and ensuing subtle back biting signaled the beginning of the end.

September 20, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias (right) is congratulated by center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) after he hit a solo home in the ninth inning Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Ellsbury rebounded in 2011 with a career year. He hit .321, caught everything in sight and slugged 32 homers. He placed second in AL MVP voting.

Last year Ells was poised to continue on his rising trajectory until another devastating injury, this time to his shoulder after a collision at second base, took him down for months. When he came back he was not the same player. Worse yet, he seemed emotionally checked out. The fire that once burned bright became a smoldering pile of average.

It’s a near certainty that Ellsbury will be lost to Boston after the 2013 season and another outfield hole will need to be filled, leaving fans to wonder what could have been had it not been for two fateful collisions that derailed what otherwise might have been a long and productive career at one of baseball’s most important positions.

All the words that I come up with
They’re like gasoline on flames
There’s no excuse
No explaination
Believe me
If I could I’d undo what I did wrong
I’d give away all that I own
- Sorry, Daughtry 

September 17, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) hits a 2-run home run in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday that a deal between the Red Sox and Rangers involving Jacoby Ellsbury for Rangers pitcher Derek Holland may be in the works. The rumor appeared on fannation.com. From the Rangers perspective the acquisition of Ellsbury would offset the near certain departure of Josh Hamilton.

While Holland may not be the top of the rotation stud that Boston needs he would provide some stability to a decimated pitching staff and would be the first step toward rebuilding the staff. In 2012 Holland was 12-7 with a 4.67 ERA and 145 strikeouts.

If a deal can’t be struck for Ellsbury over the winter Boston’s best move would be to have him play through his contract year, which likely would be strong since it’s his walk year, and let him go to the highest bidder since it’s highly unlikely that Boston would pay the reported $160 million, eight-year Matt Kemp style deal being floated by Ellsbury’s agent Scott Boras.

If Ellsbury is traded this winter the Sox could try to sign Torii Hunter to a one-year deal. Hunter found the fountain of youth in 2012 by hitting .313 with an .817 on-base plus slugging percentage for the Angels. Hunter could be used as the bridge to Sox minor league prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr., who may be ready for prime time in 2014. A rundown of Bradley’s vital stats, along with other Boston outfield prospects, can be found here.

A recently published BSI article on the possibility of Ellsbury and the Sox finding happiness with one another can be found here.

Jacoby Ellsbury. Keeper or trade bait? Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

In 2011 Ellsbury hit .321, had a .376 on base percentage, slugged at a .522 clip and had a .928 slugging plus on base percentage. He walked 52 times, stole 39 bases, got 212 hits and scored 109 runs. He was an all-star, bagged a gold glove, a silver slugger and came in second in the MVP voting. That’s money kids.

That impressive campaign was, however, sandwiched between two injury plagued and largely unproductive seasons. After getting mowed over by Adrian Beltre in the sixth game of the 2010 season, Ellsbury’s season was a wash. He appeared in just 18 games so his 2010 numbers don’t mean anything.

In Boston’s 2012 home opener Ellsbury separated his shoulder in a collision with Rays shortstop Reid Brignac while sliding into second base. Ellsbury played less than half the season, 76 games, and his numbers were the very definition of pedestrian. .271/.313./.370/.682. He walked only 19 times, scored 43 runs and knocked in just 26 runs.

Which brings us to the most important question and what to do about it. Who is the real Jacoby Ellsbury? Depending on your answer you’ve got three options.

Let’s Make a Deal
If you think Ellsbury can stay healthy and you want a gazelle patrolling Fenway then Red Sox management should start talking with him now and prep him for a deal he can’t refuse.
Probability: Less than zero. After an iffy 2012 neither Ellsbury or his agent, Scott Boras, will be in a mood to negotiate anything as Ellsbury will look to come back with a productive and, more importantly, healthy 2013. He’ll be in a contract year and will be proving that he’s worthy of a big pay day. It’s hard to believe that the Boston medical staff’s misdiagnosis and further mishandling of Ellsbury’s broken ribs and the resulting drama that played out during the year as fans and the media questioned his toughness doesn’t stick in his craw to this day. It’s a certainty that Boras has been whispering that mantra in his ear for a long time and that it most likely has permanently poisoned the well in Boston.

When Ellsbury is hot and healthy there is scarcely a sweeter swing in baseball from the left side of the plate. Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

Fish or Cut (Trade) Bait
As has been hinted by a number of sources, the time may be now to leverage Ellsbury as a bargaining chip to obtain badly needed starting rotation pitching. Hint to Red Sox management. The time for that was last year. Boras will predictably point to Ellsbury’s MVP potential and the 2011 season stats. Potential suitors will point to 2010 and 2012. The problem for Ellsbury, Boras and, by extension, the Red Sox is that his value is hard to nail down due his fragility, bad luck and the resulting under-production.

Other factors are making a do it now deal more likely. Boras clients always test the free agent market to both drive up the price and get negotiating leverage. It is rumored that Boras would be looking for a Matt Kemp style $160 million, eight-year deal for Ellsbury As proven by Boston’s recent trade and cash deal with the Dodgers in August that slashed $260 million from their payroll, they are moving away from mammoth long-term deals since they have been burned so often and so badly in the recent past by them. Boston wants payroll flexibility, not a high-risk roll of the dice with two or three potential franchise cornerstones.
Probability: High

Pay Me Now Or Pay The Price Later
In this nightmare scenario, two options of equal horror are possible.
Nightmare Scenario #1: In a cruel Redsoxian twist of fate, Ellsbury is dealt and turns into a younger version of Torii Hunter who batted .313 with an .817 on-base plus slugging percentage for the Angels in 2012. Ellsbury has a long and productive career, leading his team to three world championships in six years. He retires and is elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, inducted into Cooperstown as a New York Yankee.
Nightmare Scenario #2: Boston cuts any deal possible to retain Ellsbury’s services long-term. Ellsbury gets injured in a 2013 freak pre-season shower stall accident in Fort Meyers that sidelines him for the year. He’s never the same afterward, causing Gordon Edes to start calling Fenway’s centerfield Crawford’s Pasture. It sticks.
Probability: Given the recent state of affairs in Boston either scenario is preposterously probable

Personally, I don’t think Ellsbury will stay consistently healthy throughout his career. That alone seals the deal. The Fish or cut (trade) bait option appears most likely. It pains me to say it. I love the guy’s game when he’s right. I just don’t see enough of it.

I said my, my, my
I’m once bitten twice shy baby
- Once Bitten Twice Shy, Ian Hunter 

Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports from Oakland that Ellsbury is out of the lineup with a sore right wrist. It is unclear when or how Ellsbury sustained the injury and it’s not clear at this point as to how long the speedy centerfielder will be out of game action.

On the season, Ellsbury has a slash line of .267/.309/.371/.680 with 2 home runs and 16 RBI through 54 games.  Hardly the numbers one came to expect from the runner-up for AL MVP last season, but given he missed most of the year with a nasty shoulder injury, it’s just nice to see him back and playing on a regular basis.

Ellsbury has been the topic of conversation lately when discussing potential long-term contract extensions with the Red Sox. His agent, Scott Boras has already hinted that Ellsbury deserves superstar money and that he’s proven he can perform up to that level.  Maybe so, but if he can’t stay healthy long enough to fulfill those expectations, is he worthy of the gigantic contract?

As far as Kalish goes, the proposed outfielder of the future, he has only played in two games since being recalled on August 28, which amounts to just 5 at-bats.  The shoulder injury would explain his limited game action.

Through 27-games this year, Kalish is hitting for a low line of just .202/.244/.238/.483.  He has no home runs and just 5 RBI in 84 at-bats.  The 24-year old has had an injury filled start to his career that has limited his playing time in the big leagues.

It doesn’t come as a surprise given the club can revoke both players if they should get claimed.  Hundreds of players across Major League Baseball will end up on waivers with only a small percentage actually getting claimed. Teams will seek to gauge trade interest from other clubs in a particular player that could lead to a deal for those clubs competing for a postseason birth.  By no means does it mean the club intends to trade either Ellsbury or Lester.

It would be a complete surprise if either player were claimed, but given the Texas Rangers were said to be looking at a deal for Ellsbury back in July it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think they may have discussions again with Ben Cherington again.  Recently we’ve heard comments from the Red Sox owners that some major changes are needed this offseason and who’s to say that a blockbuster deal now wouldn’t be the start of things to come.

July 29, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (2) doubles to left center during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

The Red Sox don’t have a ton of payroll space to sign Ellsbury long term as their current payroll stands at approximately $146 million (fourth in baseball)– $32 million under the luxury tax threshold. About $20 million will be coming off the books this offseason with David Ortiz and Cody Ross (and potentially a trade of Josh Beckett), but the Red Sox will probably resign Ortiz and possibly Ross both to larger contracts, leaving my estimate of around $25 million remaining. The Red Sox could use that money to sign perhaps Ellsbury, a defensive-minded catcher, a starting pitcher, and a few relievers if they were economical.

The benefit of signing Ellsbury this winter, as opposed to next, is that not only will there be no competition for the speedster, but they could probably sign him for less. Coming off a down year, a contract of offer of say, 6 years/$85 million would be very hard for the 28 year old to refuse.

But if the Red Sox were to guarantee Ellsbury over $14 million per season, they’d have to have a pretty good idea of which player they’d be getting: the injury prone player from 2010 and 2012, the MVP contender in 2011, or the speedy leadoff hitter from 2007-2009. If healthy and in his prime, which he’ll hopefully be in 2013, I think Ellsbury will fit in between the speedy leadoff hitter and the five-tool monster.

From 2007-2009, Ellsbury put up a .297/.337/.414 triple slash line– add those cumulative numbers to his monster 2011 season and between those four seasons, he averaged a .305/.345/.461 line, also averaging 16 home runs, 71 RBIs and 53 stolen bases between ’08, ’09, and ’11 (his three full seasons). Assuming Ellsbury stays healthy, he should put up numbers something along those lines in his prime with perhaps a few more home runs for the first years of this contract. A contract like this would be a smart move for the Red Sox, to lock him up before he has another career year like last season.

Coming off a very disappointing game, the Red Sox showed their true potential today with a commanding 14-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians. The Red Sox were facing Corey Kluber (0-0, 6.10), who was pitching for his job today (and probably lost it), and they absolutely devoured the rookie starting very early on. A one out double for Carl Crawford in the first inning jumpstarted a big rally for the team. Crawford would score on a double by Dustin Pedroia and Pedroia scored on a two-run homer to right for Adrian Gonzalez– his 13th of the year to make it 3-0.

The Indians actually picked up a run in the bottom of the first on a Carlos Santana sacrifice fly, but from that point on, it was all Red Sox. With two men on base in the top of the second, Carl Crawford extended the lead a bit, driving them both in with a two-run double to make it 5-1. It took them a couple of innings, but they picked up their sixth run of the game on an RBI single by Kelly Shoppach in the fourth. At this point, Kluber was taken out of the ballgame and fellow starter Josh Tomlin joined in the fun.

The Red Sox welcomed Tomlin with a reasonably large offensive outburst in the fifth inning– putting two men on and no outs to start things off. From that point on, the Red Sox offense just went bananas. Each of those men scored on singles by Cody Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ross scored on a sacrifice fly by Danny Valencia and a Kelly Shoppach strikeout seemed to squander their chances as they now had runners at first and second with two outs and a 9-1 lead. That was when the real damage of the inning came in almost consecutive fashion as a two-run double by Jacoby Ellsbury, an RBI double for Carl Crawford, and two-run double for Adrian Gonzalez made it 14-1.

The Red Sox just kind of coasted along after that as Jon Lester continued to cruise against Cleveland’s weak offense. Lester wound up going 6 innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and a run while striking out 12– lowering his ERA to 5.20 and earning his first win in a while. After that; Junichi Tazawa, Clayton Mortensen, and Alfredo Aceves each fired scoreless innings as the Red Sox went on to win 14-1.

Pedey goes double wild. Aug 6, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) hits a double and drives in a run against Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE

Yu Darvish has been pretty good this year. The 6′ 5″, 215 lb. righty from Japan, while not setting Major League Baseball afire, was 11-7 going into last night’s game with a 4.38 ERA. He’s chewed up over 130 innings so far in 2012, is fifth in the AL in strikeouts (145) and is seventh in opponent batting average (.229). Yep, Darvish has been pretty good. Just not Monday night.

The good news for the Rangers is that Darvish struck out nine Red Sox batters. That bad news was that when he wasn’t striking them out they were hitting him – hard. For Boston hitters at the top of the lineup, Darvish’s offerings became the daily double. Dustin Pedroia banged out three two-baggers, Jacoby Ellsbury smoked him for two doubles and both Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzales each got one double as Boston scored early and often (Crawford would later bang another RBI double high off the scoreboard against Texas reliever Michael Kirkman).

When the pounding stopped Darvish had given up 11 hits and six runs over 6 2/3 innings and the Sox were off and running en route to a 9-2 romp over arguably the best team in the American League.

Ellsbury (3-5, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored), Crawford (2-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored), Pedroia (3-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored) and Adrian Gonzales (3-5, 3 RBI) simply destroyed the Rangers, needing very little help from the bottom of the lineup.

Darvish was off for sure. Conversely, Aaron Cook was dead on. Over seven complete innings, Cook scattered six hits, gave up one earned run and completely tamed the Rangers’ big bats. Josh Hamilton and David Murphy each went 1-4 with limited damage. Three Texas hitters went 0-fer as Cook retired the side in order in the third, fourth and sixth.

I said, hey! you! get off of my cloud
Hey! you! get off of my cloud
Hey! you! get off of my cloud
Don’t hang around cause twos a crowd
On my cloud, baby
- Get Off Of My Cloud, The Rolling Stones 

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

Other than a couple of scary moments at the end, this was a very good game for the Red Sox. They were ahead most of the time, the offense was good, the pitching was good for the most part. It was the kind of game that they really needed after losing four straight– including three straight to the 47-61 Minnesota Twins, who were going for the sweep. Luckily, with Franklin Morales getting a much needed spot start, the Red Sox were able to handle the Twins today.

After a couple of scoreless innings to start the game, the Red Sox finally put a few runs on the board in the third. A Mike Aviles single and Jacoby Ellsbury double leading off the inning had put two in scoring position and no outs. Carl Crawford got one run in on a soft grounder to the shortstop, leaving Ellsbury at second with one out. He would score on a bloop single to center field by Adrian Gonzalez and give the Red Sox an early 2-0 lead, which they held for a few innings.

The Twins finally put their first run on the board in the fifth after a leadoff walk by Alexi Casilla. Casilla stole second, reached third on a grounder, and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Ben Revere as the Twins manufactured a run. However, the Red Sox would answer in a big way in the bottom of the fifth. With the speedy Carl Crawford on first base and two outs, Adrian Gonzalez crushed one high in the air to left-center. As it turned out, the Red Sox didn’t need Crawford’s speed as the ball carried well over the monster to give the Sox a 4-1 lead.

The Red Sox added onto that lead on an seventh inning RBI single by Cody Ross and an eighth inning sacrifice fly by Jacoby Ellsbury to push it to 6-1 entering the ninth inning. Vicente Padilla came into the ballgame and had a rough go of things to say the least– allowing a leadoff homer over the monster to Josh Willingham. Two batters later, two more runs came in as Ryan Doumit jacked a home run to deep right to cut it to a 6-4 lead. Padilla was pulled and Alfredo Aceves came into the game and got the save with a 1-2-3 inning.

There have been bright spots this season that gave us hope that maybe this club is on the verge of turning things around.  After a miserable start to the last road trip the Red Sox take two of three from the Evil Empire in the Bronx, something that very few people saw coming.

Then they return home and take two of three from the Detroit Tigers, a team many thought would walk away with the Central division but find themselves under performing, much like their Boston foes.

The Sox entered the four game set against the Twins just 3.5 games back in the Wild Card hunt and very much alive and well after winning the last two series.  And with the bottom feeding Twins in town, surely three of four would be possible for the Red Sox.  Now, they’ll have to try and salvage a split.

The reaction on Twitter immediately following the game last night was a mood that Debbie Downer would be proud of.  Reactions such as “what a rotten game” and “stick a fork in them.”  Others weren’t so polite using rated R words that are best not repeating.  Other reactions included “everyone on waivers tomorrow, Ben” and “time to start thinking about draft position.”  This is a fan base on the edge of the cliff and ready to jump given their devotion to this club, only to be disappointed as one wrote on Twitter “just when they build you, they tear you down.”  Well said.

But the Sox had chances to win the game.  Not only did they get out to a 5-1 start, they had the bases loaded in the eighth with only one out.  Jacoby Ellsbury struck out and Dustin Pedroia flied out to right.  Wait, what?  Both Ellsbury and Pedroia failed to bring in what would have been the winning run?  Yes, sadly both players who have been so dominant in their careers in those late game spots could not come through when needed.

Then again in the ninth after two lumbering bats of Cody Ross and Adrian Gonzalez failed to get on base, the kid Ryan Lavarnway doubled off the Monster to again give the Fenway Faithful hope that maybe their club could salvage this game.  With Will Middlebrooks at the dish, I for one envisioned a long double off the wall in left to score the winning run.  Cue the shredder, Nick Punto when Middlebrooks reaches home.  Sadly I was left to wonder what could have been when the rookie grounded out to third.

After the Twins scored in the top half of the tenth, the Sox went away quietly in the bottom, handing the game to the Twins in what was as heartbreaking loss as one can recall in recent memory.  For whatever reason, this club just doesn’t have that killer instinct. Some blame the manager, some blame the players or the owners.  Some blame the players for blaming the manager.  Either way you cut it, this club is below .500 and appear to be a hovering .500 club for the season until proven otherwise.  This latest loss confirms that.

Now we start to hear of such potential blockbusters and the first to come out was the potential deal with the Texas Rangers that would have seen starter Josh Beckett, catcher Kelly Shoppach and all-star outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury heading to the lone star state.  Rob Bradford of WEEI.com had the story, citing multiple sources had confirmed that the two sides had engaged in discussions, but the sources appeared to have conflicting reports on how serious the talks really became.

Bradford wasn’t sure on what Texas would have given up in the blockbuster, but it’s fun to dream as a Red Sox fan of what could have been.  Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal confirms that Cherington never asked Josh Beckett to waive his ten and five rights, keeping this rumor in the rumor bay.

Kelly Shoppach’s name was also involved in multiple rumors as many teams were seeking depth at the catching position. The grizzly 32-year old had been tied to the Nationals and Brewers leading up to the deadline but alas the Sox held on to him.  Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports via a team source that the reason Cherington didn’t deal Shoppach or Jarrod Saltalamacchia for that matter is the need for offense with the absence of David Ortiz.

With the team left without a solid DH bat, we have witnessed a Sox lineup in the past week when both Salty and Shop are in the lineup, adding a little more pop than when Pedro Ciriaco is the designated hitter.

A second reason Speier reports is because of the vulnerability catchers are to injury given the grind on the body the position demands.

Two reasons which I believe to bogus and BS.  You can’t tell me that Ryan Lavarnway at DH isn’t an option.  We saw last season in the final two games of the year what the kid can do, which included flexing his muscles and providing power at the plate.  We’ve heard his arm and catching abilities are suspect, making him a prime candidate to DH further into his career.  What a perfect opportunity to ease him into the bigs for the remainder of the year.

The second reason is also a jagged little pill to try and swallow.  No team should live in fear of injury or Murphy’s law will surely render it’s ugly head.  And that is exactly what happened.  Tuesday night Shoppach suffered a shin injury and is likely to miss a few days of action.

Shoppach was the likely of the two to get dealt and while his return would not have been anything shocking, a prospect is better than watching him walk at the end of the year.

Cherington missed the boat on this one during his first kick at the trade deadline.  Either catcher should have been moved and now Lavarnway is still behind both catchers, delaying his big league career.  A DL stint for Daniel Nava allowed Lavarnway to get recalled, but will he be the victim of the numbers game when the regulars get healthy? Or will he play himself into one of those regular roles and force a move on another player.  While an August move could be in the cards to move Shoppach, this is a deal that should’ve happened on Tuesday or any day leading up to it.

Alas, Theo is no longer on Yawkey Way and while he was quite busy in Chicago, stripping down his lowly Cubs in hopes of improving them in the next century, the Red Sox were indifferently opposite.  In fact it was eerily quiet given the nature of transactions we’ve become accustomed to witnessing when Theo was in charge.  But need I remind you, Theo ain’t in charge no more!

Rather this is Ben Cherington’s dog and pony show and he did what Theo never had the brass to do; remain quiet in a time that required solitude yet tempted valor. Instead of going out and making big waves in the trade waters, Ben merely kept his head afloat, patiently treading water and waiting to see whether his beloved ball club will sink or swim.

While one cannot predict if this Boston Red Sox club will make a strong, concerted effort towards the postseason, or fold like a cheap K-Mark suit remains to be seen.  But this much we do know; a quiet July trade deadline could mean a busy off season lies in store for the Red Sox.  One that could resemble that of a makeover.

Josh Beckett was the most popular Red Sox player at this year’s trade deadline and only because mostly every fan wants him banished from the bays of Boston.  While this did not happen in July, doesn’t mean it won’t happen during this calendar year.  Granted both the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers appeared to be the most likely suitors for Beckett and both upgraded via other trades.  Meaning a waiver acquisition of the tall Texan remains a possibility, albeit an outside chance at this point.  Like it or not Red Sox fans, Josh Beckett is likely to be here until the end of the year, making a winter trade our best possibility.

Not only does Beckett become expendable, but so do many other house hold names that the Fenway Faithful have become accustomed to cheering for.  Jacoby Ellsbury becomes that much closer to free agency, begging the question if Seattle would consider a package centered around the speedy outfielder for King Felix.

Jon Lester along side his good buddy Beckett will likely make the rumor mill as potential trade pieces.  Moving Beckett appears to be imminent and hanging onto the salvageable Lester just makes sense.  Why part ways with both imbeciles when splitting them up could do wonders for one or the other?

Carl Crawford‘s name was mentioned earlier this month, only to learn that the Miami Marlins were the only team who had the fortitude to actually inquire on the four-time all-star.  While unloading Crawford’s salary would be heavenly, it remains doubtful, but still fun to dream none the less.  Surely Ben would earn his stripes with Red Sox Nation if he could somehow move the under performing and grossly overpaid Crawford.

Such prospects such as Jose Iglesisas and Ryan Lavarnway are surely to come up in trade talks given the clubs depth at the shortstop position and infiltrated talent behind the plate.  A push for a legitimate starting pitcher appears to be atop the Red Sox wish list heading into the off season, even though we still have two months remaining in this season.  We’ve heard all season long that it will take prospects and nothing but to land a team’s top starter ie: Matt Garza or Josh Johnson.  Maybe it’s the winter when the prices come down that Cherington makes his move to better this ball club instantaneously.  It’s funny how a struggling belief in the postseason leads one to look forward to the winter.

But none the less, the Red Sox being quiet this July and further stock piling their assets and prospects leaves this team in a better position to acquire those missing pieces for next season.  While this season can still be salvaged with an October appearance, the majority are not holding out faith.  Meaning any Wild Card birth is a bonus, but let’s start focusing on next year and what the potential could be once Cherington has the ability to make a trade or two with some quality trade chips; ones he held onto this year instead of giving it all up at the expense of overpaying for that one player that may or may not have made a difference.

Maybe it was the baseball gods and their cruel way of inflicting past hopes that starter Josh Beckett would some how be dealt, hours after the trade deadline had come and gone.  Or maybe this is the Red Sox lucky break they need to get themselves back into contention in the AL Wild Card hunt, now just 3.5 games back of Oakland and 7.5 back of the suddenly slumping New York Yankees.  Regardless, a win is a win and the Red Sox will take it given the way this year has gone.

It’s an ironic twist of fate when you consider how the game shook out.  Josh Beckett, the villain of Red Sox Nation took the mound in what was surely a disappointing sight for most Sox fans, in hopes he would be miraculously dealt on this day. But instead he shoved a fin performance back in our faces, even though it was a shortened affair.

Beckett looked like the Beckett of old, at least to start the game, retiring the first eight batters of the game before running into problems in the third.  Beckett would surrender an infield single before hitting Austin Jackson and then walking Quintin Berry and Miguel Cabrera.  It was then that Beckett would be removed from the game after beckoning for the trainer and revealing he had back spasms that would force him from the game.

Clayton Mortenson would take over and surrendered the Tigers by getting Prince Fielder to fly, ending the threat.

The Red Sox nearly lost out on the rains and their ability to take advantage of them.  It took until the fourth inning before the offense broke through against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, tagging him for four runs.

Pedro Ciriaco has made quite a name for himself since being called up to the big club, driving in another RBI on this night to get the fourth inning rally started.  After Jacoby Ellsbury walked in a run, Carl Crawford would single, scoring two runs and giving the Sox a 4-1 lead.

The score would remain that way until the top of the sixth inning when the game appeared to be in the balance with the Tigers threatening with the bases loaded.

After Fielder walked, Delmon Young flied out and Ryan Raburn hit a force out at second.  Alex Avila would single followed by a Jhonny Peralta walk that would load the bases, bringing speculation and doubt to most Red Sox fans.

But finally this team caught a break and it came in the form of rain clouds. The tarp was rolled out and rightfully so given the pouring rains that not even Bull Durham could pitch through.

The game would be called 1 hour and 45 minutes later, giving the Red Sox their fourth straight victory.  For the record, the Red Sox technically defeated Verlander on this night, in what was game two of a ten game home stand.

Josh Beckett walks of the field after being relieved. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Oh, my God, we’re having a fire! Sale.

As Tobias Funke famously suggested, maybe it’s time for a fire sale. Now before you jump all over me I’ll let you know that I believe the Sox are going to be buyers, not sellers. I’m just hopping on Mr Rogers’ train to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. The Red Sox have been opposed to make right decisions for a few years now, so I don’t expect them to make the right move in this instance. You may be opposed to the Sox selling, but aren’t you sick of not watching the Red Sox in the playoffs. This will be the third straight year of golf in October; maybe it’s time to mix things up. First thing we’ll do is target players that the Red Sox can trade, players that they won’t be building around. Secondly, I will throw out potential trades for such players.
There are three lists. Pitchers I would try to trade, hitters I would try to trade, and players that I don’t need to trade, but would for the right price.

PITCHERS
Josh Beckett
Matt Albers
Aaron Cook
John Lackey
Mark Melancon
Vicente Padilla

HITTERS
Kelly Shoppach
Mike Aviles
Nick Punto
Carl Crawford
Daniel Nava
Scott Podsednik
Cody Ross
Ryan Sweeney

FOR THE RIGHT PRICE
Daniel Bard
Jose Iglesias
Jacoby Ellsbury
Jon Lester

Trade #1. Josh Beckett and Matt Albers to the Dodgers for Zack Lee, Chris Withrow, and Scott Van Slyke. (I would include Kelly Shoppach if the Dodgers would add a better second prospect)

Why the Red Sox should do this deal: Beckett is a problem in the clubhouse. I don’t really believe in addition by subtraction so that’s why the Red Sox are getting a high upside pitching prospect, who is still a ways away. Beckett is still owed 15.75 over each of the next two seasons plus the rest of his salary this season. Albers makes 1.075 million this year and is arbitration eligible next season. The Red Sox will save over $33 million. That’s what they’re giving up. They would get Zack Lee. Lee is the Dodgers top pitching prospect and it was rumored that they would have given him up (plus a package) for Garza. Beckett has slightly worse numbers, although in a tougher division, plus is signed to longer years. Beckett’s contract isn’t one that would scare teams away. Lee is only 20 years old but hasn’t put up good numbers in the minors. In Single-A this year he only walked 1.6 batters per 9, while striking out 8.5. However, Double-A has seen those walks go up to 5 per 9. I expect that will lower once he gets going. Chris Withrow is a 23 year-old pitcher who has recently been moved to the pen. That move could very well be permanent. Withrow has good stuff but his control is still in question. He averages 5 walks per 9 in his minor league career and 9.3 strikeouts. Those are similar to Daniel Bard’s numbers as a starter in the minors. Scott Van Slyke is already 26, not much of a prospect anymore, but he’s torn up Triple-A. He hasn’t had success in the majors, but he’s a throw in player that the Sox can take a chance on.

Why the Dodgers should do this deal: First of all, if they would give up Lee for Garza, they should for Beckett. Beckett would be their second best starter and his numbers should be even better in the National League, in Dodger Stadium. His ERA with the Marlins was .36 better than with the Red Sox. Albers and his 2.35 ERA would be a nice addition to the bullpen. If the Dodgers are serious about making a run at the playoffs, this would be one of the best moves left that they could make. The new Dodgers ownership is showing their willingness to spend.

The next trade I would do would involve Ross or Sweeney.
It’s been reported that the Reds and Pirates have scouted the Red Sox outfield extensively.

Trade #2: Cody Ross and Mike Aviles to the Pirates for Tony Sanchez, Nick Kingham, Alex Dickerson.

Why the Red Sox should do this deal: Both Ross and Aviles (abr. elig) are free agents after this year, so why not get something for them? Tony Sanchez went to school at BC and was once a highly thought of prospect. Here is what piratesprospects.com says about the catcher who they list in their 4th tier of prospects.

“Tony Sanchez was hitting for a .277/.370/.390 line in 141 at-bats in his second run through Double-A. At the age of 24, and in his second run through Double-A, he should have been putting up better numbers. He got hot in his final two weeks at the level, which was enough to send him up to Triple-A. His path is similar to the one Jordy Mercer took. Struggle in year one in Altoona, start slow in year two, then take off around the middle of May. The biggest concern with Sanchez is that he’s not hitting for power. In his two seasons at Double-A he combined for an .087 ISO. He improved this year, with a .113 ISO, but once again it was his second year at the level. Until he shows improvements, I’d put his upside as an average starter, with his value fueled by his defense.”

Kingham is a 20 year old who is throwing 95. Besides the fastball piratesprospects says he has two other above average pitches. Alex Dickerson is 22 and still at A-ball which is worrisome but he was drafted with no true position so maybe he’s destined for the AL. He’s expected to hit for power.

With these prospects, the Red Sox can consider Sanchez as a potential starting catcher a couple years down the line and eventually Kingham is expected to be a middle of the rotation guy. I don’t have high hopes for Dickerson but maybe he can become a DH.

Why the Pirates should do this deal: The Pirates would only be taking on what is left of Ross’ and Aviles combined 3.2 million dollar salary. Ross would be their starting right fielder and hitting in the middle of the lineup. Garrett Jones would go to first and Mike Aviles would be a huge upgrade at shortstop over Clint Barmes. Ross would hit 4th or 5th and Aviles would hit 6th or 7th. These additions would be huge upgrades to the Pirates lineup, who look ready to break their under .500 streak and make a playoff run.

Trade #3: Ryan Sweeney and Vicente Padilla for Neftali Soto (and a very low prospect).

Why the Red Sox should do this deal: The Red Sox could go to arbitration with Sweeney this off-season but their OF is already pretty full. Soto could be the replacement for David Ortiz in a year or two. Soto has bad numbers this year, he’s hitting .227 in triple-A, however his career average is .271 and he had 30 home runs in Double-A last season with a .272 batting average.

Why the Reds should do this deal: This is the first deal where I’m not sure if they should. However, Soto isn’t coming up anytime soon with Votto at first and his OBP and AVG are an of concern. Sweeney could be a platoon OF that can backup all 3 positions. Sweeney could even be the starter at CF if the Reds get tired of Drew Stubbs and his below .300 OBP. Padilla would be a solid reliever in the middle of their pen.

Trade #4: Kelly Shoppach. Shoppach HAS to get traded. LAD, LAA, SF, STL, and OAK are all contenders that could use Shoppach. The Sox won’t get much but if they can get a decent prospect for him I’d be happy. I consider his value equal to a relief pitcher prospect who’s expected to be a 7th or 8th inning guy, and not too far away from the bigs, nothing more than that.

Trade #5 Jacoby Ellsbury and Jose Iglesias for Justin Upton. I wrote all about this trade here a week ago.  It seems like Upton is less available than he was last week.

Players I haven’t mentioned in trades yet but listed above.

Jon Lester – I wouldn’t trade him. However, if the Red Sox got a great offer for him, I wouldn’t turn it down; either that or if Lester was the centerpiece of a Felix Hernandez trade.

Aaron Cook – If anyone offers something for Cook that won’t cost the Red Sox money, I’d take it. Get something for him, he could be an asset for someone.

John Lackey – No one will offer anything. I just put him on the list because I WOULD trade him if I could.

Mark Melancon – I hated this trade at the time and his value has dropped since. It’s possible that a team needs a reliever desperately. He had good numbers in the NL, if someone offers a good role player or a C prospect, I’d take that.

Carl Crawford – I like Crawford. He’s a good player; the worse thing about him is the contract. He’s playing injured. If someone would take his whole contract, I’d take nothing for him. Just get the money off the books. If they offer a good player (like the prior Hanley rumors) or a prospect, I’d pay some. However, he’s not someone that I’d trade and eat his salary (like Renteria).

Nick Punto – He doesn’t have a lot of value, if someone needs a util and is willing to take his $3 mil next year, I’d take almost anything.

Daniel Nava – I love watching Nava, but he’s not as good as we think he is. He’s slightly better than a 4-A player. You don’t have to deal him, but he’s not going to add much here besides being a 5th outfielder.

Scott Podsednik – He’s injured, and has low value. Dave Roberts-esque. The Red Sox traded Henri Stanley for Roberts. Expect someone of that value… exactly.

Daniel Bard – I’m still hoping they can fix him and have him setup but I’d listen to offers if someone sees him as a future closer.

Let’s take a look at future money off the books if the 5 trades I proposed happen.

$31.50M from Beckett ($15.75M per year, plus the rest of this season)
$1M from Albers. (He makes 875,000 this year and will get a bonus in arbitration this off-season. $1M is a very low guess)
$2M from Aviles. He makes $1.2M this year and is arbitration eligible. I’m going low on his offer too.

$2M from Sweeney. He makes $1.75M and is also arbitration eligible.
$10M from Jacoby Ellsbury. He makes $8.05M this year and has one year left in arbitration.
$2M from Jose Iglesias.
-$9.75 for Justin Upton

The Red Sox are also losing Dice-K’s contract, which is $10M.

So let’s add up next year’s money off the books, including Dice-K but only including 1 year off Beckett. The other year will be future savings. For the sake of the argument let’s pretend that Ortiz comes back at the same salary, which I doubt.
15.57 + 1 +2 +2 +10 + 2 + 10 = 42.75 – 9.75 = $33M

Guessing on arbitration, if the 5 deals I listed happened, the Red Sox would save about 33 million next year.

Assuming that they resign all of the bullpen, this would be their Depth chart.

C – Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ryan Lavarnway, Tony Sanchez (top catching prospect)
1B- Adrian Gonzalez, Neftali Soto, Scott Van Slyke
2B – Dustin Pedroia, Nick Punto
SS- Pedro Ciriaco, Punto
3B – Will Middlebrooks, Punto
LF – Carl Crawford, Daniel Nava
CF – Ryan Kalish, Jackie Bradley, Jr. (probably not ready)
RF – Justin Upton, Nava
DH – David Ortiz
SP – Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, John Lackey
CP – Daniel Bard?
RP – Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller, Alfredo Aceves, Junichi Tazawa

With 33 mil to spare the Red Sox will need a SS, a CF (maybe), and a SP or two.

SS- Stephen Drew (you all cringe at that last name) has a $10m option that I couldn’t see getting picked up. The Red Sox can probably offer him 7. Jhonny Peralta also has a $6 Mil option. Jason Bartlet would be a defensive gem real cheap who can’t hit ($2.5m?). For the point of this exercise, let’s say they sign Drew for $7mil for a year.

26 Mil left.

CF – Michael Bourne will cost at least 15m, Josh Hamilton will be close to $20m, Shane Victorino at least $14m, BJ Upton, 13ishh. However, Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan, Ross, and Grady Sizemore would all be significantly cheaper. What about Torii Hunter? Would he come to Boston given the bad history here?
Let’s pretend that he came to play with his friend Crawford. 2 years, $8 mil per.

18 mil left.

That leaves a pitcher or two needed. Zack Grienke is someone that would scare me in Boston. But what about Shaun Marcum? He makes $7.73M this year and has excelled in the AL East. What if the Red Sox offer him 3 years and $12M.

That leaves $6 mil for arbitration boosts, adding a bullpen arm, and a couple cheap veteran starters (like Aaron Cook was this year). Those numbers will be a little over $6M but the team salary would be pretty much what it is this year but your farm system is so much better.

This would be the lineup.

LF – Crawford
2B – Pedroia
1B – Gonzalez
DH – Ortiz
RF – Upton
3B – Middlebrooks
CF – Hunter
C – Saltalamacchia
SS- Drew

That lineup is arguably better than this year’s lineup. Plus, you added hitters Van Slyke, Tony Sanchez, Alex Dickerson, and Neftali Soto to the system.

The rotation would be.
Lester
Marcum
Buchholz
Doubront
Lackey

And you added Zack Lee, Chris Withrow, Nick Kingham as pitching prospects.

The bullpen would be Daniel Bard, Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller, Alfredo Aceves, Junichi Tazawa. That’s if you don’t add anyone else.

Honestly, I’m tired of just missing the playoffs. The worst place to be in sports is a fringe playoff team. Most likely you won’t win the World Series, and you’re not bad enough to rebuild. I’m sick of it. Things aren’t working the way they are. It’s time to rebuild. The thing about the Red Sox is, if they do these moves, they will be at least as good as they are now and their system will be more talented. With all this said, 2,500 words later, I don’t expect the Red Sox to be sellers and that’s too bad. And it’s not even that they’d be sellers. They’d be builders. This year is not going to happen, so take a loss for the rest of the year to build something big going forward. The Red Sox need another wave of talent in their system and this would provide that.

The Red Sox made their return today to a pair of things not so welcome– last place and .500 as they reentered last with a 48-48 record after today’s loss.  The Blue Jays pounced on starter Jon Lester early and often, beginning on the very first pitch of the game when Brett Lawrie hammered an inside fastball well over the green monster to begin a rough time of things. That first inning was a good indication of what was to come, as the Jays scored five runs aided by RBI doubles by Edwin Encarnacion and Rajai Davis, a J.P. Arencibia groundout, and a Jeff Mathis RBI bunt.

Blue Jays starter Henderson Alvarez must have been pretty thrilled to come out of the gates with a 5-0 lead, but quickly swallowed his pride as the Red Sox took three in the first on a bomb to right for Adrian Gonzalez. This cut it to a 5-3 deficit for the Red Sox, by no means impossible, but the Blue Jays didn’t stop in the second inning. A three-run homer by J.P. Arencibia and a solo blast by Rajai Davis (back-to-back jacks) would give the Jays four more runs, just as we all though the inning would be over.

The Red Sox didn’t strike right back after this second inning, it stayed at 9-3 until the bottom of the fourth when the Red Sox scored a run on a Mike Aviles sac fly. That run for the Red Sox must have inspired the Blue Jays– as they capitalized on a two-run homer by Travis Snider in that inning. That home run officially closed the book on Jon Lester– who allowed eleven runs in four innings today and raised his ERA from 4.80 to 5.46. Junichi Tazawa came in here and was pretty much the hero of this game, as he would fire three scoreless innings over the course of the game.

Anyway, the Red Sox got a home run of their own in the bottom of the fifth– the first of the season for Jacoby Ellsbury, a shot over the wall in center. The Red Sox clawed back into the game a bit more in the sixth on an RBI double by Mike Aviles and an RBI single by Nick Punto– pushing it to 11-7 Blue Jays. However, the game would be lost for good in the eighth, as the Blue Jays scored four runs to make it 15-7 in a horrible game for the Red Sox, concluding a miserable weekend in Boston.

Germano, who spent the majority of his Red Sox tenure in triple-A Pawtucket, posted a 2.40 ERA in 16 starts at the minor league level and made just one appearance for the big club, throwing 5.2 innings of scoreless relief.  Germano looked promising for the Red Sox but fell victim to the numbers game to make room for an all-star.  The question has been asked among Red Sox fans as to why Nick Punto was not DFA’d over Germano.  Regardless, the move has been made and now Epstein was allowed to once again snag another player from the Red Sox that could prove to be a worthy asset.

With the Cubs being the center of trade rumors by having pitchers Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster and now Paul Maholm on the market, Germano could be slotted into start should Chicago move one or more of their starters.  Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reports that the Cubs prospect Casey Coleman was scratched from his start today with the Cubs minor league team in the event Germano cannot make it to St. Louis in time for Friday’s game against the Cardinals.  A Dempster deal is likely and having Germano in uniform could help the Cubs fill a void.

Was this another sly move by Theo or a proper one by Cherington?  Your call.