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Zenny, I direct this to you cuz you know the most about the system. Which players in the minors will be ready by start of the year 2005?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1827429 OK, here it is: Trade Nomar, Tek, and Manny to the D-Rays for Crawford, Upton, Young (the guy they drafted last year).

This team's layin down out there! Bring up Shoppach to start learning catcher....is it too late to send Varitek to a contender for prospects before July 31? Here's the scoop: Send Tek to Oakland (they need a catcher badly) for prospects (Blanton?) Let Mirabelli start behind the plate, but call up Shoppach to ride the pine and learn the ropes. He'll take over full-time in 05. Trade Nomar/Pedro to LA for one of their good pitching prospects and some more decent prospects. LA can resign him, so it's not like he's a rental. Trade Manny to the Mets or anyone who'll take him for whatever you can get back! Play Pokey at short, Belly at second, Youk at third. When Mueller comes back, he can spell Belly/Youk. Tek strikes/grounds out with runners on base, Nomar's a great player who hates management, Pedro's mouthy, and Manny is well....Manny. For the love of pete, get some speed and some energy on this team!

Get Ready, pedro, because in a month they'll be ahead of the Red Sox in the AL East!

The Sox need to shake things up. I said this last week, I say it again. The Red Sox are in danger of not even getting a wild card! Oakland / Anaheim are tough teams, and Boston should have swept the twins. This team has no heart. They don't play with the intensity of last year's team, and as a result, they can't win in close games, and they can't keep close games close. They can't come from behind, they don't get clutch hits....it goes on and on.

I certainly don't blame Nomar.....people make mistakes...they just happen to wear Red Sox uniforms when they do so.... Next year Nomar will probably win an MVP playing second for the Yankees....

They're certainly playing that way. You can't win division titles or even wild cards losing 2 out of 3 from the effing TWINS.....at HOME!! Pitching gets it done today, come back from a deficit, only to lose it on an error! That, Tek04, is VERY pathetic. Needless to say, I'm deeply dissapointed in the team so far. There's no way the Yankees lose 2 of 3 from Baltimore! We're in trouble right now.

Good Point, The Sox are certainly no worse off without Colon/Contreras (although I honestly thing Contreras will eventually figure it out and be a good pitcher), I just stated those cases to make a point -- George loves to piss off the Red Sox. As I've stated in other posts, I don't see the need for Beltran at such a high price. Maybe if the KC takes "B" prospects...

It's a funny game sometimes. I have NO COMPLAINTS about David Ortiz though....he's leading the AL in RBI!!! He's getting the job done even though he doesn't hit the 3-run HR

If today's game goes extras....who knows. It's tied 3-3 bottom 9 as we speak

Ortizzle comes through again! Let's go sox!

I agree with you that it's a crazy move....It's just the nature of George to try to kill the Red Sox moves... If the Yankees want it done, they'll get it done. They could always absorb huge salaries.... People are already talking about absorbing Bret Boone's salary as a benefit to Seattle since they have no prospects.....

No postings on today's game yet? It's 3-1 minnesota bottom 7. The sox need a rally!

Chrupzilla, Keep in mind that the Yankees have more than once thwarted moves attempted by the Red Sox: The Yankees jump in on a deal between Montreal, and the Chicago White Sox, and send Orlando Hernandez to Montreal, this was a move to make sure Boston did not get Bartolo Colon (who ended up in Chicago). Let's not forget the Jose Contreras move. Made to spite the Red Sox. Last year, the Yankees picked up Aaron Boone at the deadline. A seemingly harmless move, BUT it was later learned that the Red Sox were planning on acquiring Boone from Cincy, and sending him to Seattle for Freddy Garcia. When George Steinbrenner sets his mind on something, it usually gets done.....

As expected, this thing is getting jucier. According to this post below on boston.com, George Steinbrenner has instructed Brian Cashman to do whatever it takes to keep Beltran from going to Boston. http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/thebuzz/ I don't make this stuff up folks.

I think the Boston Red Sox should abandon the search for Carlos Beltran. He's simply not worth the price. What the Sox could use (in my mind) is a utility infielder (no, Crespo isn't cutting it for me), and of course, more pitching. Here's my ideas: Russ Ortiz (Atlanta) This is contingent on the Braves falling out of the race. They're 5 games out, but historically come on after the all-star break. If this happens, this will happen later. The Braves, with their consecutive division winning streak, will probably have a hard time giving up players at the deadline, BUT Shurholtz is a smart GM, and may realize he can pick up a few quality prospects for Ortiz. Livan Hernandez (Montreal) The Expos are out of it. Livan helped Florida win it all in 1997, and helped San Fransisco to the series in 2002. Ted Lilly/Miguel Batista (Toronto) Lilly's a lefty, so he might add something to the rotation, plus he has been decent in Toronto. Batista has also been solid with Toronto. Frank Catalanotto (Toronto) Maybe could come as a package with one of the abovementioned pitchers? Catalanotto is a good hitter, and can play a bunch of positions. Plus gives them a lefty off the bench. Hits with RISP. The only knock on him is he's been injured (groin) this year. Any other ideas? What do you think of my ideas?

Dr Morgan's estimates always seem optimistic. Nobody likes to see players get hurt, but if there is a positive of this situation, its that Bellhorn is fully capable and deserving of playing every day. While not as good as Pokey with the glove (who is?), he has been better with the bat, and a solid all-around player. The good thing is that the Sox don't have to (and shouldn't) rush Pokey back if it isn't necessary. Like every other player, I'd rather put him on the shelf for 2 weeks now than lose him for 2 months later. The bad thing is that this weakens the bench. Cesar Crespo is the only other bench infielder...... Could we see Kapler playing third (as he did in spring training)?

Geeeez, Last nights game was SOOOO frustrating.... Too many double plays in key situations! Also frustrating that the Yankees lost and the Red Sox couldn't pick up ground....

UPDATE! http://www.majorleaguebaseball.com is reporting KC/Oakland may be involving Houston in a 3-team deal. Here's how things would shake out: Oakland gets: Octavio Dotel Kansas City gets: Oakland prospects Houston gets: Beltran According to the article, Houston makes BIG changes if this goes down. Lidge becomes closer, Biggio moves back to second base, and Jeff Kent moves to third. Just a different spin on an earlier rumor I posted.

Some things to consider about tonight's game: Derek Lowe has an 0.95 in 3 June starts. Unlike last year, Lowe has struggled in Fenway this year (although he struggled EVERYwhere through May) In 6 starts, he's 2-3 with a 6.48 ERA. Carlos Silva is also pitching well in June (2-1 with a 3.14 ERA) but has struggled on the road this season: in 7 starts, he's 3-3 with a 5.08 ERA. If these pitchers continue JUNE success, it should be a good, low-scoring game. However, both of these pitchers have the potential to give up a bunch of runs.

Couldn't agree with you more ACL, The Sox need to turn around their mediocre play, and they need to do it a month ago. There will be very tough competition for the playoffs in the AL this year, and playing .500 baseball isn't going to get them there. Let's hope Lowe found the key, and that last night's offensive outburst is a sign of things to come!

I think the D-Rays are finally playing good ball. Lou Piniella finally lit a fire.... They are a good club (a little short on pitching) that will only get better. May actually be a contender in years to come.

This concerns me a bit since there's rumors of the Sox trading Williamson in a deal for Beltran. Was Leskanic brought in to replace Williamson? I certainly hope NOT.

I agree that this is still a really bad idea. I think Theo should just wait. Here's why: Beltran isn't going to New York with Baird's current demands. The Yankees don't have what it takes to meet his current demands. The only team that looks like it might is Oakland, and I doubt Beane would give up 3 good prospects for a free agent to be. Just doesn't make sense for Oakland given their ability to keep free agents. San Diego isn't giving up Burroughs, either. For a deal to be made, Baird is going to have to lower his demands. I believe he will, because he knows Beltran's not staying in KC, and he wants SOMEthing to show for him. The longer this plays out, the worse it gets for KC because teams will be willing to give up less (less guaranteed Beltran-service time). There will be somewhat of a bidding war, but in the end the Sox will be forced to give up less. I hate the idea of giving up Youkilis, Shoppach, and a pitching prospect, and I hate giving up Williamson more. Williamson helps the team NOW, and the team missed him while he was out.

Peter Gammons reports on a new twist possible for the Beltran deal. Still don't like it, as the Sox are still giving up Youk and Shoppach. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=1825878