With "Mr.Yankee" now off the books it seems as the Red Sox are midway through Plan B.
After acquiring Brad Penny, the Sox have as I mentioned now struck deals with Rocco Baldelli, John Smoltz and as of yesterday former Dodger closer Takashi Saito and a one year deal with Mark Kotsay, giving the roster plenty of quality depth in the rotation, bull pen, situational relief and on defense.
Kotsay gives the Red Sox insurance in the OF if Baldelli, as suspected, will not be playing on an everyday basis should one of the starting outfielders go down with injury, and his versatility will also give the Sox adequate backup at 1B.
Smoltz should be back by May/June, and gives the Red Sox the option to keep Masterson in the bullpen and possibly trade one of their prospects for a catcher and/or a bigger bat.
The latest rumour involves yet another Scott Boras client (he must be the Yankees of the agent world), Milwuakee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder. Although substantially weaker in defense at 1B, he does rake a big bat, and would allow the Red Sox to move Youk to third and trade Lowell.
I admire and respect Mike Lowell, and part of me would be annoyed after yet another player accepting a deal with a "home town discount" and then being traded (see: Arroyo, Bronson), but sadly it is indeed a business nowadays, and it is risky to rely upon the performance of a 35 year old 3B coming of hip surgery.
Still, my hat's off to Lowell for the way he played through pain during the ALDS in 2008. If the Red Sox somehow can keep him, it would warm the cockles of my heart.
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