DONE DEAL: Victor Martinez a Red Sox; LaRoche to Braves for Kotchman

Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that Victor Martinez is about to become a Boston Red Sox.

Did Rickey Henderson use steroids?

Now that I have your attention, let me get this out of the way: I have nothing factual to back this up other than some oblique quotes from Jose Canseco and good, old-fashioned deduction.

David Ortiz issues statement, speaks to reporters

David Ortiz issued a press release on the allegations that he used steroids in 2003, then spoke to reporters. Check out what he had to say.

Ortiz and Ramirez Said to Be on 2003 Doping List (via NYTimes)

Should be interesting to watch this play out. Still gathering my thoughts.

Lars Anderson: ‘Learning how to deal with own expectations’

Drafted in the 18th round in 2006, Lars Anderson burst on the scene after a strong 2007. In 2008, Anderson did nothing to dispel his skyrocketing value, closing the year out with a .316/.436/.526 line in Double-A Portland in 41 games.

This year, Anderson has returned to Portland for what many thought would be a temporary situation. Instead, as the 21-year old struggles with adversity, he's been leapfrogged in the SoxProspects.com prospect standings by Josh Reddick as the organization's top bat.

While a line of .257/.350/.385 with eight home runs in 394 at-bats doesn't exactly make one drool, Anderson's hitting is too advanced to last. So what's the problem?

WholesaleKeychain.com TRIVIA: 20+ HR INF

What year was the first time the Red Sox had all four infielders register back-to-back 20+ home run seasons?

Which prospects are untouchable?

With the recent trade rumors flying fast and furious, a lot of Red Sox fans have had to come to grips that significant prospects will have to be given up to get an impact player. There have been some names that is clear the Red Sox are not willing to move; others that I personally go "eek!" at when I hear their names in trade rumors.

So which prospects should be considered untouchable? I have heard two names that the Red Sox consider off-limits, Casey Kelly and Ryan Westmoreland (also Daniel Bard, but now that he's in the bigs, I no longer consider him a prospect). I would add a third to that as well. Let's take a look.

Red Sox trade Kotsay for Anderson

The Red Sox have traded first-baseman/outfielder Mark Kotsay to the Chicago White Sox for centerfielder Brian Anderson.

Anderson has roughly 2.5 years of MLB service, so is under Sox (the red kind this time) control through 2013, if my shady calculations are correct.

Anderson, 27, has 782 career at-bats in the bigs posting a poor .225/.288/.364 line. In Triple-A, he is at .279/.311/.488. He is a gifted defensive centerfielder, but has long struggled with the bat. Earlier, he requested the White Sox trade him so he could get more playing time. That's not happening in Boston. It's unclear the plans the Sox have for Anderson. If I was a guessing man, he's the new starting centerfielder for the PawSox.

Sox to get both Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee?

Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse tweets that the Red Sox have told people they are trying to pull off a big deal, bigger than Roy Halladay. Price goes on to speculate it may be a Cliff Lee/Victor Martinez package, as reported earlier by Joel Sherman. The Sox also have been keeping tabs on the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm team. It could be related to this big trade, or the Dodgers might be interested in acquiring a bullpen arm, most likely bringing Takashi Saito back.

Trade watch: Theo ‘burning midnight oil’

All the recent trade rumors around the Sox have your head spinning? No worries. Evan summarizes everything you need to know leading up to the trade deadline and handicaps the Sox's chances.