Red Sox Trade Rumors:

The 2008 MLB Trade deadline is less than a week away and as always, the Red Sox are a big part of the rumor mill. Some rumors are far-fetched while other may provide a little insight into what the team may look like next year.

• One of the pressing needs for the Sox is in the bullpen and more importantly the set-up role and middle relief. Brian Fuentes of the Rockies, Huston Street of the A's, and the Orioles' George Sherrill have all been oferred but the price has been too high.
• After last year's bad trade with Texas for Eric Gagne, Sox GM Theo Epstein has got to be hesitant about trading top young prospects like Jed Lowrie, Michael Bowden, and Clay Buchholz for a relief pitcher who may not be able to handle the heat of a Pennant race again.
• Also, Theo seems determined to convert either Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden into relief help ala Jonathan Papelbon. Masterson did well in Seattle but the true test will be against the Yankees and Tampa.
• After trading 4 prospects to the Pirates for Xavier Nady and top lefthanded reliever Damaso Marte, it appears the Yankees are going for it in their last year in the old stadium. This action could also force Theo and the Sox to make a move before the deadline.
• Should the Sox make a move, look for them to try to package either Coco Crisp or Julio Lugo (and his $9 mill salary) with lesser prospects for Mark Texeria who is the last year of his contract.
• Crisp is batting .252 and seems to be in steady decline, so it may be time to move him while his contract and skills are still coveted. Even though Lugo is only out until mid-Aug, you have to think he is on the way out since the Sox already contemplated Juan Uribe as a short/long term replacement at Shortstop.
• Long term, the Sox may be exploring a Jed Lowrie-Dustin Pedroia middle infield. However, since Pedroia has quick feet and Lowrie does not (Pedroia played SS in college and Lowrie 2B), the Sox could look to flip their positions again for a stronger defensive infield in the future.
• Finally, the Manny Ramirez factor is always in play. With two-1 year $20 million options on Manny's contract, the Sox hold all the cards in Manny's future. If it gets to a point where Manny no longer wants to play for a 1 year deal and his antics continue to distract the team, then the Sox might just exercise his option for next year and then trade him with his permission. Then with 2 months left in this season and another year on Manny's contract, the Sox could get some worthy compensation for him.