Big Papi getting eyes checked out

David Ortiz will get his eyes checked out Monday, says WEEI. Ortiz mentioned recently that he is experiencing a few problems with his eyesight. Considering that Ortiz has 20-20 vision, it's doubtful it's made a significant impact. However, he says his eyes have been drying out a bit lately which causes him to lose focus on the pitcher. The problem has been bothering him for "a few weeks," so it's certainly not the cause of his slump. Still, the Red Sox and Big Papi have to be crossing their fingers.

Five shortstops Red Sox could pursue

As Nick Green and Julio Lugo team up in an attempt to break the record for most errors out of shortstop (and we thought Edgar Renteria was bad), it's time to start looking at outside options.

Green has been a great fill-in with the bat after no one expected him to even get a single at-bat on the year. On defense, however, his lead glove is starting to raise concerns. And Julio Lugo, of course, is Julio Lugo. We'll get to our internal option, Jed Lowrie, in a moment. But for now, let's focus on five shortstops the Sox could go after.

Fenway Guide TRIVIA: End year playoffs

The Red Sox have made the playoffs in every "end year" (9 is the end year in 2009) except one. What end year have they never made the playoffs in?

Ortiz, Penny on the outs in June?

As Oakland GM Billy Beane once said, and I'm paraphrasing here, "the first two months are finding out what you have, the next two getting what you need, the last two trying to make the playoffs."

Well, we've just passed the two month mark, and we're already confident there will be changes ahead. Brad Penny has been the most inefficient starting pitcher on the team and with John Smoltz aiming to return June 16 and Clay Buchholz/Michael Bowden in the wings, Penny's not long for Boston. That is, barring a surprise -- and we know how baseball is chock full of them.

Penny won't fetch an impact player on his own, but if you pair him with Buccholz or Bowden, we could be looking at our new designated hitter.

Yeah, I just said we could have a new DH.

Simmons on David Ortiz

I love Bill Simmons. He's one of my favorite writers on the planet. Unfortunately, he rarely talks about the Red Sox. He's a Celtics/basketball guy who writes football on the side.

So you can imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning to an article about David Ortiz. My favorite part of the article is after the jump.

Red Sox projected to draft Garrett Gould

Over at MVN Outsider, Fire Brand's Pat Hickey participated in a MLB mock draft.

Picking at No. 28, Hickey projected the Red Sox to select right-handed pitcher Garrett Gould out of Maize (Kansas) High School. Check the writeup here.

Francona shakes up lineup, drops Ellsbury

Jacoby Ellsbury may have an average hovering around .300, but his plate discipline isn't cutting it. Things change today as Dustin Pedroia assumes the leadoff mantle. I'm sure we'll hear more from Tito.

Lineups after the jump.

New mechanics, reliance on slider hurting Papelbon

There's been no shortage of events this season that have taken us by surprise. David Ortiz, of course, is the big one. But what about Jason Varitek being in double-digit home runs before June? Tim Wakefield being our steadiest starter to date?

Here's one that's taken us by surprise: Jonathan Papelbon looking mortal. His 2.57 ERA is the highest its been as a closer, and superseded only by his 2.67 ERA as a rookie, when he served as a starter and reliever.

His FIP, however, would easily be the highest of his career as it sits at 4.60. He's still striking out well over a batter an inning and is limiting the number of hits he's given up, but it's the free passes that have changed everything.

Fenway Guide TRIVIA: Sox and Yankees 70 HR

Who was the only player to hit at least 70 home runs for the Red Sox and 70 home runs for the Yankees?

Could Sox get Angel Salome for Penny?

Brad Penny is steadying himself in the back end of the rotation after a tough start to the year. His ERA may be an unsightly 5.96, but he's providing quality starts and keeping the team in the game.

However, with John Smoltz needing to be activated by June 19, a decision looms. It's clear that Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka are more long-term options in the rotation than Penny. It's also clear that the Sox won't force Tim Wakefield out of the rotation in favor of Penny.

It boils down to two choices: does Penny go to the bullpen or is he moved to another team?

What the Sox can get is a solid prospect who could develop into a starter for the club.

A name came across my radar the other day that I think makes a lot of sense for both teams.