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Red Sox should first determine whether they signed Teixeira before concerning the team with so-called logjams. e.g. If Teixeira is not signed, the team still has a very strong lineup and should Mike Lowell need a bit more time to heal from his major surgery, the team will be able to play Jed Lowrie at 3B and Julio Lugo at SS. Just as it proved smart for the team not to dump Coco just to have him off the roster this past season, the same kind of situation could make it very wise for these players available. All the scouts I have read have said that Argenis Diaz is a ML shortstop, thus there could worst things if the Sox had to use him as a backup to Lugo and Lowrie at SS while Mike Lowell is hopefully healing to 100%.

Vtek is a key to the team, to be judged much more on his leadership to the team and management of the pitchers. The only other catcher the Sox have had who was so valuable to the team is Pudge Fisk. If the Sox had not lost Pudge to the White Sox due to Heywood Sullivan's Contract Late Mailing faux pas, I believe the Sox would have won at least 1 World Series. Vtek is that valuable to the Sox and cannot be measured by a batting average or stats. Before the Sox trade for a catcher like Salty who has not even made it to the Texas Rangers, Gerald Laird is still the Ranger's catcher, the Sox need to take a further serious look at Wagner who is with the AA Portland Sea Dogs and probably has the highest upside in the system and Kottaras who might also hit much better at the ML level than in AAA. The Red Sox will have some major decisions regarding signing Vtek for what he and Scott Boras are going to want and regarding whether to exercise year one on Manny's Option.

I imagine the Red Sox will want to get a look at Masterson as a reliever and also bring up Bard to see how he might fit in. Probably the Red Sox will want to to both before the July 31 trading deadline so they can evaluate how this works out, before deciding on making any trades.

It is understandable why Justin Masterson should remain in the MLs. He has pitched as well, in many games better, than other starters. When Clay Buchholz has completing working out his delivery, arm slot, it seems Clay should also be back in the with the Red Sox. The Red Sox have nice problems, either pitch Justin and Clay in the starting rotation with Beckett, Dice and Lester and put Wake in the pen, or leave Wake in the rotation and move Masterson or Buchhoz into pen. I know the Sox have said previously that Masterson may be better suited for the bullpen. It is particularly important at this time that the Sox make the best decision, because either pitcher going to the pen, will see some change and lose the rythmn both currently enjoy as starters. Some might also say that Bartolo Colon further complicates this decision when he comes off the DL. Most ML teams are drooling at the decisions the Red Sox have to make.

Youk has worked very hard to make himself into an accomplished Major Leaguer. He is talented at 3B and 1B which adds to his value. Although he does not have great speed on the bases nor the typical power of most corner infielders, Youk does a great job. The best test of his value would be established by taking a survey among his teammates who I bet, without exception, are very comfortable and reliant on Youk.