Add Beltre To The Boston Infield

It's official. Pending the inevitable physical, Adrian Beltre will be the new Boston Red Sox third baseman for 2010...and maybe 2011. He signed a one year free agent deal for $9 million with a $5 million player option for 2011. He will improve the Red Sox infield immensely with his hot corner defense and, with Youkilis at first and Pedroia at second, will be the third Gold Glover in Boston's superb infield. Shortstop Scutaro is no slouch either. In the outfield, Mike Cameron has won three Gold Gloves and speedster Jacoby Ellsbury will get one soon. That's for sure.

Theo Epstein was not happy with last season's defense so he improved it AND added John Lackey, the best starter on the free agent market. Youkilis will stay where he belongs, at first, and Mike Lowell, healing from his thumb injury, will be on that trade list. There is no place NOW for him on the Boston Red Sox. I love the guy, but what's done has been done. I'm sure many of you feel the exact same way. Mikey...good luck. We love you SO much. The Boston Red Sox will never be the same without you.

You can click on the title of this post for the Boston Globe Red Sox homepage and as always, BE WELL.