Mailbag: Infield questions abound

12/12/2005
Welcome to another edition of the Red Sox mailbag. Since we last spoke, the Red Sox have added one middle infielder (Mark Loretta) and subtracted another (Edgar Renteria). Without further ado, let's go right to this week's e-mails.
With an opening at shortstop now that Renteria is gone and Miguel Tejada recently saying he wants to be traded, would a Manny Ramirez-for-Tejada trade be possible? Granted, Baltimore isn't on the West Coast, but Tejada would be a great solution at shortstop, and Baltimore has been looking for outfield help, making the trade seem feasible. -- Dan S., Southbury, Conn.
There is one major problem here. Manny is a 10-5 man (10 years in the league, five with his current team). That means he can veto any trade. Frankly, I'm skeptical that Manny would approve a trade to the Orioles, a team that hasn't exactly been in contention the past few years. I agree that the Red Sox will pursue every avenue to see if Tejada is available. Perhaps they can trade Manny somewhere else and get a third team involved to land Tejada. I just don't see a Manny-for-Tejada, one-for-one deal being a realistic possibility.
Why are the Red Sox considering getting a shortstop when they already have Dustin Pedroia, who many thought would be their everyday second baseman this year? He was a shortstop in college not so long ago. Also, how do you think Andy Marte figures into the Red Sox's future?-- Kaushik V., Needham, Mass.
The organization seems to believe that Pedroia's best position in the Major Leagues is at second base, which is why they converted him. If they were 100 percent sold that he was ready for full-time Major League action, they probably wouldn't have made the deal for Loretta. There's no reason to rush Pedroia. Don't forget that the guy was in college less than two years ago.
As for Marte, his long-term future is at third base. His short-term future might be anywhere the Red Sox can get his bat into the lineup.
Why have the Red Sox not signed All-Star Johnny Damon to a new contract? Why don't they just give him what he wants? He has been a great part of the Red Sox, and the fans love him. Is there any chance that the team will up free agent Pokey Reese to play shortstop in 2006?-- Alex K., Boston
The Red Sox and Damon are involved in negotiations, which seem to be moving along at a standard pace. You don't just give someone what they ask for the second they ask for it. That is not how baseball negotiations go. Each side is stating its case, and I think a resolution might be reached around the same Christmas Eve date that Jason Varitek signed a year ago.
As for Reese, I'm sure he's on their radar, but he's had major durability issues the past several seasons. Reese's upside is that he's a supreme defender and a fan favorite in Boston. Ultimately, I think the Red Sox will probably go in another direction, though.
Why did the Sox trade Renteria to the Braves for a Minor League third basemen? Granted, Renteria had an off year, but who doesn't? -- Mike C., Council Bluffs, Iowa
They decided not to pass up the opportunity to get one of the elite prospects in the game in Marte. Because Renteria's dip in performance in 2005 was so significant, particularly on defense, the Red Sox had concerns that he was either declining as a player or not suited to play in a market like Boston. With three years left on Renteria's contract, the Red Sox did not want to find out the hard way that their fears were well founded.
With the Red Sox in the market for a Major League shortstop, would they consider bringing back Nomar Garciaparra? Although he's had some injuries in the past few seasons, Garciaparra had gotten pretty hot toward the end of last season in Chicago, and we have all seen what Garciaparra was and I believe will once again be capable of.-- Paul, Exeter, R.I.
The Red Sox no longer view Garciaparra as shortstop material. In fact, he has mainly been marketing himself this winter as someone who could play other infield positions or even the outfield. Garciaparra making a return as Boston's shortstop is simply not in the cards.
On the "Transactions" page of the Web site, there's a note saying the Sox "released OF Gabe Kapler" on Nov. 18. What does this mean for him next year and as a member of the Red Sox organization? I realize that his injury could make it difficult for him to start the season on time, but will he remain with the club?-- Becky K., Brookline, Mass.
The decision to release Kapler was mainly a clerical one, from what I can gather. It would not surprise me at all to see Kapler re-signed once he's recovered from his injury and ready to play again. The Red Sox love Kapler's tenacity on the field and attitude off of it.

Source: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/