Red Sox looking at trading away Lowell

If veteran can be moved, Boston may turn to Beltre at third

INDIANAPOLIS -- While the Red Sox are still in left-field limbo, another position that is less than certain for 2010 is third base.

Mike Lowell is under contract to man third base at Fenway Park for one more season, but the Red Sox -- according to multiple sources -- have been calling teams to gauge interest in the veteran. One team they have definitely spoken to, according to MLB.com, is the Texas Rangers. Minor League catcher Max Ramirez is one name that has been bandied about as potential compensation.


However, it stands to reason that Boston would have to take on a portion of Lowell's $12 million salary. If the Red Sox do trade Lowell, they will likely prioritize free agent Adrian Beltre, who is a defensive star, albeit one who is coming off a down year at the plate.

As of Wednesday evening, the Boston Herald characterized Boston's interest in Beltre as "significant."

Scott Boras, who represents Beltre, said he has spoken with several teams during the Winter Meetings about the two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

INDIANAPOLIS -- While the Red Sox are still in left-field limbo, another position that is less than certain for 2010 is third base.

Mike Lowell is under contract to man third base at Fenway Park for one more season, but the Red Sox -- according to multiple sources -- have been calling teams to gauge interest in the veteran. One team they have definitely spoken to, according to MLB.com, is the Texas Rangers. Minor League catcher Max Ramirez is one name that has been bandied about as potential compensation.


However, it stands to reason that Boston would have to take on a portion of Lowell's $12 million salary. If the Red Sox do trade Lowell, they will likely prioritize free agent Adrian Beltre, who is a defensive star, albeit one who is coming off a down year at the plate.

As of Wednesday evening, the Boston Herald characterized Boston's interest in Beltre as "significant."

Scott Boras, who represents Beltre, said he has spoken with several teams during the Winter Meetings about the two-time Gold Glove Award winner.

"I think teams are looking for offense -- they're looking for complete players," Boras said. "I think in infield play that there are certain third basemen that clubs want to move or transfer from another position, and that creates opportunities for Adrian. We've had probably five or six teams that have expressed interest in him."

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said that his club did converse with Boras on Wednesday, but he didn't elaborate on the subject matter.

The 30-year-old Beltre hit .265 with just eight homers and 44 RBIs in 2009, his season shortened by six weeks because of left shoulder surgery.

In the three seasons before that, Beltre averaged 25 homers and 88 RBIs, while playing half of his games at Safeco Field, hardly a hitting haven.

"I don't think anyone in baseball will not tell you Adrian Beltre is far and above the best defensive third baseman in the game," Boras said.

As for a potential move with Lowell, Boras didn't necessarily think the Red Sox had to trade him before making a full push for his client.

"When you're talking about teams and players who played well and they're under contract, the answer to that is that the team has flexibility," Boras said. "Historically, when you have a player under contract, you can go to the player at the start of the season, or now, and say, 'We will absorb some of the contract if you'll take the player.' Or you can just keep the player and have him serve a function on the team. It may not be in a starting role. And then have the player be traded in Spring Training or have the player be traded as the season opens up and injuries occur.

"So, particularly for clubs with one year to go on the contract, major market teams, the idea, the flexibility of those decisions usually don't preempt teams from making other decisions. And the fact that the player still has something to contribute and perform well makes the process a lot easier."

Lowell has been a steady contributor at the plate in all four of his seasons in Boston. Thanks to right hip woes in 2008 and the recovery from surgery that followed last season, his range has been less than what it once was. Doctors have told Lowell and the Red Sox that his mobility should be improved in 2010. However, Lowell will be 36 on Opening Day.

Epstein has said several times this season that one area that he'd like to upgrade from the 2009 team is defense. Beltre over Lowell would be an upgrade. In recent years, Lowell has been a more productive hitter than Beltre.

Boston now feels good about its defense at shortstop with the addition of Marco Scutaro. It remains to be seen how much more Epstein will do to tighten up on defense. Like everything else, it is a balancing act.

"I think we could do more, certainly," said Epstein. "Whether we're able to or not remains to be seen. I think it will be hard to improve both on offense and with our defense, but I'm not sure which direction it will go yet."

Epstein doesn't expect to make any blockbuster-type moves before leaving Indianapolis on Thursday morning.

Despite the lack of player acquisitions, Epstein seemed generally upbeat about his productivity in Indianapolis.

"I think we've narrowed a few things down and had some more productive talks today," Epstein said. "I think there was progress on a few small- to medium-sized things."

The Red Sox did claim reliever Ramon Ramirez on release waivers, not to be confused with the pitcher they already have with that name. Ramirez has pitched in 16 Major League games over the past two seasons, going 1-1 with a 2.97 ERA. He can also start.

"He's a versatile guy who's had a lot of success out of the bullpen," said Epstein. "If you look at his performance, he's done really well in shorter stints. That intrigues us. [He also has] the ability to start and carry some innings. He's started quite a bit. He's a guy who's a strike thrower with a good changeup who our scouts like, and can come into camp and compete for a variety of roles. If something opens up in our rotation, he'll compete for a rotation spot. If not, he'll compete for the bullpen. He's also got [Minor League] options."