Lots Of Medical Questions

Combine all the recent low-risk high-reward signings with the key injured players from last year and the 2009 Boston Red Sox may be better served setting up a M.A.S.H. Unit when Spring Training begins next month in Fort Meyers, FL. Needless to say, the Red Sox Team Doctors have their work cut out for them this year. Arguably Josh Beckett, Brad Penny, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Takashi Saito, and John Smoltz all had better years in 2007. However, if the Medical staff can help return these guys even to their 2006 form, the Sox could be vying for another World Series title in 2009...but that is a big "IF".

Brad Penny (Shoulder)
2008: W-L 6-9 ERA 6.28 - 2006: W-L 16-9 ERA 4.33

John Smoltz (Shoulder)
2008: W-L 3-2 ERA 2.57 - 2006: W-L 16-9 ERA 3.49

Josh Beckett (Oblique)
2008: W-L 12-10 4.03 ERA - 2006: W-L 16-11 5.01 ERA

Takashi Saito (Elbow)
2008: 18 Saves 2.49 ERA - 2006: 24 Saves 2.07 ERA

Mike Lowell (Hip)
2008: 17 HR 73 RBI .274 Avg. - 2006: 20 HR 80 RBI .284 Avg.

Rocco Baldelli (Mitochondrial Disorder)
2008: 4 HR 13 RBI .263 Avg. - 2006: 16 HR 57 RBI .302 Avg.

David Ortiz (Wrist)
2008: 23 HR 89 RBI .264 Avg. - 2006: 54 HR 137 RBI .287 Avg.

Julio Lugo (Quadricep)
2008: 1 HR 22 RBI .268 Avg. - 2006: 12 HR 39 RBI .268 Avg.

Jason Varitek (Head)
2008: 13 HR 43 RBI .220 Avg. - 2006: 12 HR 55 RBI .238 Avg.

Transfer of Utilities?

My West coast moles tell me that the Red Sox have contacted free agent infielder and former Arizona State standout Willie Bloomquist. According to the Boston Herald's Sean McAdam, the Sox aren't planning on bringing back Alex Cora which leaves the the loser of the starting shortstop position battle between Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo to be the utility infielder going into the season. However, if the Sox are still pursuing another middle infielder like Bloomquist, then Lugo or Lowrie may be part of a bigger trade that's brewing for either a hitting shortstop like Michael Young and Hanley Ramirez -or- a young catcher like Miguel Montero and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Notes from the Coast: Hot Stove Thoughts

Now that it has officially dipped below 60 degrees on the west coast and the Baseball Winter meetings are less than 2 weeks away, this is probably as good a time as any to stoke-up The Ol' Hot Stove and examine the latest offseason baseball rumors.

• No doubt that Mark Teixeira is a perfect fit for the Red Sox but there are several teams interested in the 28 year old First Baseman. Fortunately for the Sox, Teixeira has not re-signed with the Angels yet and truly wants to play close to his home in Maryland. Even better, it seems Teixeira may also want to play for a contender which would then eliminate both his hometown teams the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals.
• That said, Red Sox fans should pray that C.C. Sabathia accepts the Yankees' offer of $140 million over 6 years because then that would greatly reduce the chances of the Yanks making a strong offer to Mark Teixeira. Unfortunately, the Yanks' offer has been on the table for over a week, so it looks like Sabathia may pass and take a lesser contract to play on the west coast.
• Even though Red Sox owner John Henry is a big fan, I can't believe the Sox are truly interested in free agent Pitcher A.J. Burnett. If anything, Sox GM Theo Epstein is probably trying to drive up the price for the Yankees. Word is that the Yankees are committed to acquiring 2 of the top 3 free agent pitchers on the market, so upping the ante will again make it tough for New York to make a strong bid for Teixeira.
• Now a free agent, former Sox Pitcher Derek Lowe desires a return to Boston. However, with Scott Boras as his agent, I wouldn't expect Lowe to accept a hometown discount which would make his chances of returning to Fenway as a 4th starter highly unlikely.
• Even if the Sox trade Pitchers Clay Bucholz and/or Michael Bowden to Texas for young Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, I wouldn't expect them to move Justin Masterson into the starting rotation. With Mike Timlin gone and Manny Delcarmen somewhat inconsistent, Masterson is too valuable in the bullpen. Instead I would expect the Sox to pick-up a veteran pitcher again like Paul Byrd and Bartolo Colon or maybe trade Julio Lugo to the Detroit Tigers for Dontrelle Willis in order to fill the 4th starter role on the pitching staff.
• It looks like Japanese Pitcher Junichi Tazawa will be signing with the Red Sox. The 22 yr old right handed pitcher's fastball has been reported anywhere between 90-97 m.p.h but he still needs a lot of seasoning so his signing shouldn't affect or impact any Sox front office decisions this season.
• There have been many speculative reports about the amount of suitors and contract offers for Red Sox Catcher Jason Varitek. Even if the Sox aren't offering Varitek the kind of money and years he and Boras want, I still expect him to finish his career with the Sox. Now that his divorce is final, I expect Varitek to have a better year at the plate which would mesh well with an incentive laden contract. Plus, Varitek's expertise at calling a game and his handling of both young and foreign pitchers would be invaluable training for a young catcher should the Sox acquire one.

Julio 'Wally Pipp' Lugo?

Similar to Wally Pipp getting injured in 1925 and losing his job to a back-up named Lou Gehrig, Julio Lugo may be in danger of losing his job to rookie Jed Lowrie. Even though Lugo makes $9 MM more a year than Lowrie, performance ranks supreme in Boston and based on the exibition Lowrie is putting on thus far, Lugo may never start another game at Shortstop.

Jed Lowrie's 2008 Stats:

Doubles - 13

Triples - 2

RBI's - 29

Avg. - .310

Games - 42

Lowrie's Last 7 Games:

Hits - 10

Doubles - 6

RBI's - 7

Avg. - .400

• Jed Lowrie tied a career high with three hits on Aug 14th against Texas. He also accomplished the feat May 10th at Minnesota.
• Lowrie has 3 straight multi-hit games, and has hits in 12 of his last 13.
• He also has at least one double and one RBI in each of his last four games.

Scouting Report (Offense):

"Lowrie hits for average very well, and equally from both sides of the plate. Outstanding plate discipline, in true Red Sox form his best attribute may be his ability to work pitchers for good at bats. Fundamental and athletic."

Scouting Report (Defense):

"An intelligent Shortstop with a decent glove and average range. His arm is strong but he needs to work on his throwing accuracy. So far Lowrie's defense is ranked 5th among the 62 major league shortstops (Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes are ranked in the 40's)."