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He does look pretty strong. He's also cocky, which is good for a pitcher coming to Boston. I still like Jimenez better, but if a deal can be completed without giving up too much you won't hear me crying about Bedard. I just don't have high hopes that he can stay healthy.

Bedard is nowhere to be seen. He hasnt thrown more than 100 IP since 2008. He could easily be back on the DL by playoff time. Thats ok if he is purely a buy low 5th starter, not if he is reassurance for Buchholz or a realistic option in 2012 and beyond. Also, what assurance do you have that any of the players you listed would be available? Weaver? Wainwright? If not, who is realistically available that is better than Jimenez?

What's the cost though? Who would they deal that has a huge shot at contributing significantly over the next 3 seasons anyway, when they should be making a sustained push for repeat World Series? Weiland? No. Lavarnway? No. Even Reddick--though very good this season--has Kalish behind him. Middlebrooks? No. Iglesias, Brentz, Navarro? No, no, no. The Sox are in the enviable position of having nearly every position player and an entire rotation locked up for the next few years. They can resign Ortiz and probably happily deal with a Lowrie/Scutaro combination even for another year if they need to. I think the Sox are about to the get to the point where only the true superstar potential prospect becomes "untouchable", and everyone else is available. Some think Theo is just blowing smoke, but i agree with him that this is a very deep farm right now with lots of upside. They don't have the sexy prospects they did a few years ago with Ellsbury and Buchholz potentially available, but they have enough to provide MLB regular caliber players while not even hurting the team's depth that much. How much would it really hurt them for the next few years to move Weiland, Doubront and Middlebrooks for Ubaldo? It might limit some options, but they would solidify their rotation significantly. I can see why they would be serious about kicking those tires, especially to keep him out of NY.

Someone should investigate the Mariners for losing on purpose. *Their highest OBP among regular players is .347, by Jack Cust. Among players who have played 50 games or more, their second highest OBP is .322. (By contrast, the Red Sox have 7 players at .322 or above). * They take the field with MIGUEL OLIVO as their cleanup hitter. Seriously. Seriously. Olivo's slash-line: .217/.254/.385/.639 That's their cleanup hitter. A .254 OBP. What the f*** is that saying to the fans? Seriously. Just horrible. At least hit Ackley and Smoak or someone with some chance of being a good hitter some day at that position. Olivo sucks and has no value hitting there whatsoever. Just venting a bit. It's a sad state for a team like Seattle to be so offensively inept. I seriously don't know if they are trying to win or not.

Sox kicking the tires on Ubaldo? Not sure what to think about that. Watching clips I see him hitting 96, 97 late in games, though they say his velocity is down this year. He seems potentially inconsistent but one of the better natural arms in the league. I just don't see him as being one of the elite pitchers in the game. He has the arm but he doesn't have anywhere near the poise and command that the elite pitchers have. Of course, that can be developed and at 27 he should have plenty of time left. The Sox will need another starter in 2012 and beyond. It is unlikely that there are many better available. I don't think Jimenez would definitely put them over the top this year (they are already good enough to win the WS this season, IMO) but he could be a good investment longterm. In my heart of hearts I still want them to overpay for Felix Hernandez. I doubt Seattle is shopping him, but he would put them into the drivers seat for the next 5 years and might be worth almost any price. I imagine Theo would still happily put the "any 6 of these 12 prospects" offer on the table.

Seems like the off-season would be a good time to re-explore that deal for Justin Upton. Reddick (or Kalish), Weiland, Lavarnway and Ranaudo (or some such combination) would be a decent place to start. Upton would be a great addition and would give them a young RH RF.

In every case so far the Sox are in the middle in terms of pushing for him. Perhaps they will leap in at the last minute to get him. Of course, how much better is he than Josh Reddick, really? Are they really going to sit Reddick against righties? Sit Beltran, or Ortiz? I don't see it.

Molina with Salty as a backup.

Not me. A World Series is a great thing, and is worth a lot in the short term, but it doesn't make me suddenly complacent 5-6 years down the line when a player we could have had is an MVP candidate and the player we trade him for is retired, too injured to play, or completely washed up. Of course, I'm talking more about Hanley than Bogaerts, but who knows what this kid can be. My only real knowledge of him is from the most recent Soxprospects podcast, where he was discussed very highly. In particular they were noting that there were very few kids who go from Dominican Summer League to Greenville at 18 and he is holding his own. I would be speaking differently if we were trading Bogaerts as part of a package for Hanley or Justin Upton or Felix Hernandez or someone who was a longterm solution. A few months of Beltran could end up like the Eric Gagne deal did if he gets injured. The Sox should (and likely would) stick with offers of sold MLB caliber but NOT star caliber players who are closer to the majors but with a lower ceiling.

No he isn't. Theo remembers Hanley Ramirez and wishes they didn't have to part with him. I would be surprised if he were to trade away arguibly their best 18 year old prospect for a couple months of n injury prone Beltran. That has potential disaster written all over it. Maybe instead of Doubront they move Weiland and nothing more.

They may want that, but I think it is too much to pay for a 3 month rental. The Sox think very highly of Xander and Jacobs. The Mets should be lucky to get one MLB regular out of this deal (Doubront should be able to contribute to their rotation in 2-3 years). The Mets aren't trading a young, home-grown superstar like Adrian Gonzalez. They are trading a guy who is regularly injured and who won't return draft picks at the end of the year. They might be able to get that type of talent elsewhere, but I suspect the Sox will not be interested in a deal like that one.

I really tend to think that Henry speaks the truth. People have to realize that there's a fine line between wanting to get guys to get better and getting guys for the sake of getting guys. Could the Sox benefit from adding a RHH RF? Yes. Could they benefit by adding a 5th pitcher? Yes. Is it essential as an owner or as a team, in order to win the World Series? I think most people would say no. I would LOVE to see them add Jimenez or Beltran, but neither is essential. This team added numerous huge pieces in the offseason and they are in first place with one of the best records in baseball. The thing that makes me think the Sox would be more willing than not to make a move is that they are going to have a logjam (as I understand it) in the minor leagues with the number of guys who either need to be on the 40 man or who will be in the rule 5 draft. It is possible that they will lose some good talent either way, so they might as well trade for someone decent. They would probably just rather trade Che Hsuan Lin than Josh Reddick, and that won't match well with the Mets or Rockies. Theo always aims high, but like John Henry I don't see huge moves this year.

WTF do we make of this guy? I recognize that he is supposed to be a pretty bad fielder (and he MUST be a bad fielder given how few people are saying he can hang at 1B ). That said: 1) Why have they not moved him to another position? They haven't tried him for a single game at 1B. 2) Where the hell does this guy fit? Will he be a viable home-grown RH DH option? 3) What interest will there be in him on other teams? His numbers certainly speak for themselves. A team without a good DH could benefit from a player like him, and who wouldn't want a potential catcher. At the same time, he might just be limited by the depth the Sox have and the existence of David Ortiz at DH.

If the Mets got a prospect the caliber of Reddick for Beltran they should be delighted, regardless of the salary going back/forth. I don't know what is meant by "top prospect". I doubt the Sox can compete with some teams to give away a guy who is destined to be an MLB every-day player without a doubt. I could see a team like San Francisco risking more than it is worth to get Beltran for the stretch run, while I don't think the Sox would. If nobody is willing to overpay then the Sox should be in great shape, as they actually have to free up some room on their 40-man roster moving forward and have quite a bit of potential MLB/AAAA talent to move (players of the Weiland, Reddick, Wilson, Lin, Lavarnway mold). Even some of those guys (Reddick, Weiland, Lavarnway) might play into the Sox future plans and be too much to move.

Buch taking his time to get back is a luxury that this team has. Take care of him, he's supposed to be one of this teams top starters for years to come.

Ellsbury (L) Pedroia ® Gonzalez (L) Youkilis ® Ortiz (L) Beltran (S) Crawford (L) Saltalamacchia (S) Scutaro ® Salivating a little bit... Beltran has good pop and decent speed. I don't think he's nearly as patient as the Sox tend to be, but neither is Crawford and what he lacks in patience he makes up for in other stuff. I wouldn't be disappointed with either. I also think Garza would be a great 4th pitcher in the playoffs and good insurance if any of the top 3 aren't in top form.

I figured as much, I just wonder if any team accepting a player has to accept his clauses too. Would you prefer Beltran over Garza?