Red Sox need backup shortstop

With the signing of Adrian Beltre and impending acquisition of Bill Hall, it seems that the Sox only have one thing left to do: dump Mike Lowell to bring in a backup shortstop.

Lowell is perhaps even more redundant with the acquisition of Hall, who can play third and has done so primarily for a while now. There are now four third basemen on the roster (Kevin Youkilis included).

What the team lacks is a viable backup shortstop. While Hall can play every position but catcher competently, he hasn’t tried his hand at short in three years — and thus shouldn’t be considered an option there. He figures to serve as the fifth outfielder and primary third base backup and likely first base as well. He also can appear at second base but is his position of least experience (assuming you sum all his outfield games).

Assuming that the team dumps Mike Lowell (who deserves a better fate and I feel should have a nice season in 2010 but it is what it is, and I can’t argue with the team’s decision), who can they bring in?

Lowrie, Bowden Face Crossroads in 2010

Important Seasons Upcoming for Bowden and Lowrie

For all the talk about 2010 being a “bridge” year, it looks more like the team is building a new Boston skyline than a bridge over troubled water. With three big free agent signings already in the books and more expected to come, the team might as well be jumping cannonballs off the ledge with the huge splashes we’ve seen so far.

Still, the “bridge” that we’re seeing is really quite interesting in what it says about the team’s upper-level prospects and players ready to contribute on the major-league level.

In particular, this upcoming season will be crucial in the careers of Michael Bowden and Jed Lowrie. Though Bowden may have dug his own grave with his ineptitude on the mound last season (much of which was bad luck, i.e. a .377 BABIP) and Lowrie’s season was cut short by unfortunate injuries, the team’s “bridge” may not be to the next group of prospects – per se – but, rather, it is a bridge over the current failing batch, Bowden and Lowrie…

Mike Lowell fails physical in Texas

According to Peter Abraham at Boston.com a major league source has said that Mike Lowell has failed his physical to finalize the trade to the Texas Rangers.

According to a major league source, the third baseman needs surgery on the radial collateral ligament in his right thumb and the trade to Texas that was agreed upon 11 days ago is off.

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.

Charlie Saponara: The Red Sox offense, present and future

Charlie Saponara blogs fantasy baseball at Fantasy Baseball 365. Today, he takes a look at how the Red Sox offense is constructed…

It is an exciting time in the baseball offseason. The first weekend of free agent signing is upon us and the winter meetings are right around the corner. There is plenty of time for the Red Sox to make moves that will improve their club for 2010 and beyond, but what does the future hold given the pieces already in place?

BOS 12, CLE 7: The Long and Winding Win

It may not have been the way that Clay Buchholz wanted to head into the post season, but a win is a win in professional sports, as the Red Sox took their 95th win of the season off of the Cleveland Indians, 12-7, on Sunday.

Buchholz only lasted three innings, but the run support was there in droves, as J.D. Drew clocked two, Jed Lowrie belted a grand slam, and Alex Gonzalez made sure that everyone knew he was doing just fine with another home run, just to name a few.

Lowrie Activated

Injured shortstop Jed Lowrie was activated from the 15-day disabled list today, following a rehab stint in Pawtucket. Lowrie has struggled with his surgically repaired wrist this season, causing him to lose his feel for the lumber.

Lowrie was successful in his latest trip to Pawtucket, hitting three home runs in his first two games after beginning his assignment on August 23rd.

The shortstop has played in just 19 games this season for Boston, hitting .143/.206/.232 with one home run in 63 plate appearances. His AAA numbers are a mixed bag, as he showed good plate discipline (13 BBs versus 13 Ks) and good power, while batting just .176.

Smoltz DFAd, Tazawa hits the majors, Woodward claimed as Lowrie lands on DL

UPDATE: WBZ and Amalie Benjamin are reporting that John Smoltz has been designated for assignment. Smoltz was a huge disappointment for the Sox, and I feel sad at this outcome. However, it had to be done. There is an empty roster spot for a reliever. It is not known who will fill it at this time.

Click to read about the rest of the Sox moves today.

BOS 8, OAK 3: Beckett bounces back

After a shaky start against the Texas Rangers, Josh Beckett returned to form against Oakland.

Are we comfortable with Ellsbury leading off?

Ops+ 83.

That is Ellsbury’s Adjusted OPS. Far from a perfect metric, but serves the purpose.

But even with that, I know that the most at bats on the team should probably not go to to an OPS+ of 83. However, I also know that there are not too many other solutions to this.

Drew was a good option, but struggled mightily. He took his pitches, worked the count, and of course Drew reaches base often. But he struggled. And it doesn’t hurt to have him bat a little lower in the order, with the power that he does possess when he gets on a hot streak.

Pedroia is the best option, but doesn’t feel comfortable doing so. If he did, then he would easily be the best available. His ability to hit for average, work counts, and get on base would be more than worthy to give the most at bats too.