Sox interested in Atkins; should Sox go to 11 pitchers?

Rumors abound that the Red Sox and Colorado Rockies have discussed a deal around reliever Takashi Saito for third-baseman Garrett Atkins, making roughly $7 million this year.

The benefit to Atkins is that he would give the Sox a legitimate power bat off the bench, something the team lacks. Atkins would play first and third base off the bench, providing invaluable depth should Mike Lowell's return prove unsuccessful.

Which brings us to a more important question: are the Sox better served with an extra bench bat or an extra pitcher?

Bailey likely to hit disabled list

Yesterday, first baseman Jeff Bailey suffered a high-ankle strain trying to make a play on Brad Penny's acrobatic flip to first base Saturday. He's likely to hit the disabled list, a loss given that the Sox are about to face two left-handed pitchers.

How can the Red Sox replace Bailey against left-handed starters?

BOS 6, BAL 5: Flip side

Boston's bullpen had something to prove.

WAS 9, BOS 3: Debut

It's not quite the debut John Smoltz may have wanted but it's a starting point.

TOR 5, BOS 3: Crash landing

Rocco Baldelli hit a two-run homer in the second inning. Then, in the the fifth inning, Baldelli crashed into a wall trying to catch a foul ball. That's exactly how Boston's game went as well. The Red Sox were on pace for a win with a 3-1 cushion over Toronto. Then, Ramon Ramirez hit a wall in the seventh inning.

Trivia: Rhode Island HRs

Rocco Baldelli hit his first home run as a Sox Saturday. It was the second home run ever hit by a Rhode Islander as a Red Sox. Who hit the first one?

BOS 13, CLE 3: Outburst

Rocco Baldelli singled home two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the Red Sox giving them a 4-2 lead. For Boston, it was all the run support they needed but it didn't stop there.

Lowrie ‘likely’ to have surgery; Rocco hits DL

Manager Terry Francona reported today that shortstop Jed Lowrie would likely undergo surgery. Unlike the previous surgery that would have ended his season, this one may allow him to return at the All-Star break.

In other news, as Mike Scandura first reported, Jeff Bailey has officially been recalled to the majors. This follows Rocco Baldelli being put on the DL with a slight left hamstring strain. Par for the course.

The Red Sox know how to manage “injuries.”

If Lowell goes down, Youk can shift to third and David Ortiz and Chris Carter can share the 1B/DH spots. Or even Rocco could DH at times. If Daisuke suffers from "arm fatigue." Which could also be labeled as "we are being careful with him because of the the WBC." Then Justin Masterson can shift from the pen to the rotation.

But Theo has built a team that can handle suspensions, injuries, performance issues, more than just about any team in the game of baseball. And the organization as a whole has built a farm system that has the players to either be quality Major Leaguers, fill temporary holes, or be traded to address any of these "holes."

OAK 8, BOS 2: Lester roughed up

Jon Lester would certainly trade his start to the 2009 season with Kevin Youkilis. Reason being, they have been polar opposites of what was expected of them coming into this season.