Kotchman Traded..Ellsbury Moves To Left..Beltre Physical Thursday

OK, the Boston Red Sox have been making quick and decisive moves with Theo's aim of sacrificing some run production to vastly improve the Red Sox defense in mind. Well, he's done it and I think Boston has finished all of their off-season moves. First up, Casey Kotchman, who just mere days ago expected to be the Red Sox starting first baseman, was dealt to the Seattle Mariners for Bill Hall, cash and a minor league player to be named later. What about Hall? He can play third base, left field and right field and he has, in the past, played second and shortstop. Hopefully he will NOT be needed in Boston's stellar infield. His best offensive year was in 2006...his batting average was .270 and he clubbed 35 (!!) taters and batted in 85 runners. Not bad, but that was almost four years ago. Last year with Milwaukee and Seattle, he hit (gulp) just .201. He was hampered with injuries and I sincerely hope the left field wall will be to his liking. He'll fill in anywhere he is needed.

It's official. Jacoby Ellsbury will play left field for the Red Sox and Mike Cameron will play his customary Gold Glove center field. Ells has been dissed in the past for his seeming inability to come in or go out to catch a ball. Left to right, there is no one better but I think his critics were seeing things that I did not. At any rate, it's JD in right, Mike Cameron in center and Jacoby Ellsbury in left. Not bad...for now. In fact, it's outstanding. With three Gold Glovers in the infield, the Boston Red Sox will be fine, just fine. They don't have the power of the NY Yankees but their starting rotation is better (by a scinch) and the two bullpens are equally competent. It might all come down to run production, as the Hartford Courant's Jeff Jacobs, who writes about sports better than any human being on THIS planet, suggested in his morning column. I implore you to click on this post's title and read it. That's all you have to do. My Constant Readers, you're the best and so is Jeff so just click on the title and then leave me a comment or three. Thanks.

One more thing. The Beltre deal will not be final until his Boston physical, which will take place tomorrow. Don't worry, unless something is drastically wrong with him, he'll be at third and Youk will man first. With Pedroia and Scutaro, WOW!

I must leave you now so click on the title for the Jacobs piece. Quite simply, you will love it. You might not agree with it but you WILL enjoy reading it. As always, BE WELL. Thanks for stopping by.