Assessing Boston’s shortstop options

With the departure of Alex Gonzalez to Toronto, it’s time to move on and explore what options are available to Boston to man the shortstop position in 2010 — and possibly beyond. I’ve gone through some potential free-agent and trade options and then tied it all in a neat little bow for consideration.

Internal options include Jed Lowrie and Jose Iglesias.

The free agent market has a bevy of options, but they all have their drawbacks. From Marco Scutaro to Adam Everett to Miguel Tejada to Craig Counsell — yes, Craig Counsell — we have you covered here.

Want to think trade? Stephen Drew, Cristian Guzman and Hanley Ramirez are considered.

Yeah, Hanley Ramirez. The New York Daily News has a note that the Marlins are talking to the Red Sox about a Hanley Ramirez trade.

Adam Foster: Interview with Sox prospect Ryan Kalish

Adam Foster is the owner and founder of Project Prospect, an independent Web site focused on baseball’s minor league players. Today, he contributes an interview with Ryan Kalish, conducted November 16, 2009. Kalish is considered Boston’s third-best prospect according to SoxProspects.com. 21, Kalish hit .271/.341/.440 for Double-A Portland with 14 stolen bases before posting a .301 batting average in the AFL. The odds are likely Kalish sees some big-league time next year.

Ryan Kalish doesn’t speak nonsense. He’s clear, confident and absolutely focused on improving his game. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder – he’s an exhibit of muscle – is hardly capable of easing up. He’s 100-percent committed to playing hard and fine-tuning his skills.

I caught up with Kalish at the end of the Arizona Fall League to discuss his 2009 power improvements, his approach to hitting, and adjusting with thick skin.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade SP4: Jon Lester

Jon Lester, entering his age 26 season, is a prime candidate to be named a starting pitcher of the 2010-19 Team of the Decade, which would mean he was named to back-to-back Team of Decades.

Drafted in the second round of the 2002 draft, Lester methodically rose up the minor leagues (Fire Brand archive: Not so Minor: Players on the Rise, 10/10/04) and prospect rankings, going so far as to be included in the A-Rod megatrade that never was prior to the 2004 season. I speak, of course, of Manny Ramirez and Lester heading to Texas for Alex Rodriguez.

With respect to Lester, I think all of us feel we dodged a bullet there.

Gonzalez Signs With Toronto – Scutaro or Bust!!!

Though the Red Sox will be seeing plenty of Alex Gonzalez next season, it won’t be in a Red Sox uniform, as their ultimate fail-safe signed on with the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. It’s never a good sign to see Plan B go off the market – or Plan C/D/F for that matter – as the Sox’ shortstop options are dwindling, meaning that they are all the more likely to go hard after Scutaro for a contract much more favorable to player than to team.

At the off-season’s beginning, the team could select from any of Hardy, Stephen Drew, Scutaro, or a Gonzalez-Lowrie timeshare. Now, with both J.J. Hardy and Gonzalez off the table and Arizona clinging hard to Drew, the Sox’ options have become alarmingly limited to a shot at a trade with Diamondbacks or duking it out with Scutaro’s many admirers.

Alex Gonzalez a Blue Jay

Alex Gonzalez has reportedly signed a one year contract worth $2.75 million with a $2.5 million club option for 2011. Gonzo came over from the Reds to reprise his role as Boston shortstop late last season and was simply excellent. The Sox declined his $6 million option and took the risk of letting the free agent market play out.

Barring a trade, it seems as if this limits Boston to Marco Scutaro, who is the outgoing Blue Jays shortstop. The signing on Toronto’s end would be rather smart in this regard as it would force their division rival to give up their first-round pick to the team that signed Gonzalez.

The Sox Try to ReHash ‘09, Tug Hulett Who?

ReHashing 2009 with Kelvim Escobar and Justin Duchscherer

In an attempt to rehash the 2009 off-season, the Sox have expressed interest in the dual cautionary tales, Justin Duchscherer and Kelvim Escobar.

But the potential moves themselves are somewhat interesting in their projected roles with the team. As both would be expected to start, they would take the spot as the fifth starter much in the mold that John Smoltz and Brad Penny took on last year…

Red Sox acquire Tug Hulett

The Red Sox today acquired Tug Hulett from the Royals for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Hulett, who will enter his age 27 season, has two years’ experience in the major leagues. In 67 at-bats, his slash line is .194/.270/.254. He can play second, third and short and has spent most of the last three seasons in Triple-A. His career minor league line is .284/.394/.418.

The left-hander is considered a possible Rule 5 draft pick, but Boston will likely stash him on their 40-man roster instead. While he won’t be handed the backup infield job, he will absolutely compete for it. I’m not entirely positive, but I believe he will have to clear waivers if the club intends to have him open the season at Triple-A. I fully expect him to start the season as Pawtucket’s second baseman.

Interviewing Alex Wilson: 2009 draft pick closest to the bigs

Alex Wilson was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Boston Red Sox out of Texas A&M.

Wilson pitched in Low-A Lowell after signing, a rather low level given being 22. He dominated the competition, posting a 0.50 ERA in 13 starts encompassing 36 innings and whiffing 33 while walking seven. It’s felt that if Wilson can develop his changeup, he will start. Otherwise, he will relieve. Baseball America says he is closest to the majors, and is expected to open the season at High-A Salem. Don’t rule out closing the season out in Double-A Portland.

Read on to read an interview conducted with Alex Wilson.

Red Sox interested in Kelvim Escobar among others

The Boston Herald’s Michael Silverman is reporting that Boston has requested medical records on free agent Kelvim Escobar, along with reliever Rafael Soriano. They’ve also inquired into Marcos Scutaro.

While Soriano and Scutaro represent higher upside, let’s talk Escobar for a second. Other than one June start, he hasn’t seen the bigs since 2007 thanks to massive shoulder injuries.

If it’s a minor league deal, I would be okay with the signing. Not particularly thrilled, though. While all these low-risk, high-upside signings have inherent value, the Brad Penny/John Smoltz signings proved not to work at all. Should that prevent Boston from continuing to seek low-risk, high-upside starters? No, not at all. But I feel that the team waited way, way too long on Penny as well as Smoltz, before finally pulling the plug. I don’t want that same mistake made again.

In Escobar’s case, two years of injuries and rehabilitation really make me question if the stuff is still there to even be a difference.

Will the Sox Acquire Adrian Beltre to Replace Lowell?

As the hot stove whisperings grow louder, the eyes of the Boston powers have shifted to Mike Lowell. Rumors have been building in strength over the last few weeks surrounding the future of the third baseman within the Sox’ organization.

Growing in popularity among the potential scenarios involving Lowell is the signing free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, which would inevitably precede a trade of Lowell. According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Red Sox have been looking to trade Lowell with the condition of paying for $6 million of his $12 million salary in 2010.

Replacing Mike Lowell with Adrian Beltre is certainly an interesting avenue for the home town team. However, such a move itself has a number of roadblocks that could preclude, including teams picking up Lowell’s $6 million and the likelihood of aggressive suitors for Beltre’s services. In addition, such a move would prevent the team from acquiring Adrian Gonzalez, who is coveted by the current front office.