[quote name='ryanbph']weei talked about the fact the mike lowell might not be fully healthy next year. I guess his injury the more he played (over a month) the more damage it would do to his comeback. If he isn't going to be healthy, I am all for moving youk to 3b and making a run after texeria. Also who knows if ortiz will bounce back. He had a mediocre season. I also would like to see a run at krod, and moving paps back into the rotation. They need a catcher, texas and philly I know have catching prospects. IMO we can get the phils catcher and trade bay for him and others. With there LF most likely leaving this will give them a reasonably priced OF for 1 season that has played well in the middle of the playoffs, and in big games.
There was also a report that san diego will be talking to boston about peavy. IMO, we don't need another pitcher. We have a solid 3 in beckett/lester/dice k, if they move paps into the rotation, they would have masterson/buckholtz/bowden and wakefield all competing for the 5th spot. The 2 who don't make the rotation can be moved into the bullpen for the year.[/QUOTE]
They're married to Lowell at 3rd with his contract, they can't pay him to not play and pay Teixeira on top of that. Only way they get him is if they move Youkilis. Plus, Lowell's hip is apparently in better condition than expected:
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2008/10/lowells_surgery.html
Papelbon will never start again, he doesn't want to. Peavy would be great, they need to make a serious upgrade if they want to be the top dog in what is now the toughest division in baseball. Two aces is what allowed them to win in 04, its deadly. 4 of 5 possible starts in the division series, and 4 of 7 possible starts after, would be from Beckett and Peavy. The 5th starter would be a tossup between Masterson and Wake, and that gives you the depth to get through the season without bringing in a stiff like Colon.
They need an impact bat to replace Manny, but they don't really have a spot open except for maybe the outfield. Plus, there are injury concerns about Lowell, Drew, and Papi, and they're all entrenched enough that they will not be replaced.
But their #1 need is at catcher, and I have no idea how they can fill it without giving up Buchholz or Bowden for a guy like Teagarden. Varitek is a part time player at this point in his career.