Does any one think Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez was happy to get back to Fenway Park after having a rough road trip. During the trip he looked lost at the plate as his timing was off. He even got the night off (he did strikeout on 3 pitches as pinch-hitter) on Sunday night. Monday night he came up in a big spot when his single drove in the only run of the game.

Last night he came up to the plate with a runner on base with the Red Sox down 2 runs. All it took was one swing from Manny and the game was tied up at 5. The Red Sox would go on a few batters later to take the lead and Jonathan Papelbon would make the lead up hold to give the Red Sox a win over the once red-hot Twins.

With two big trades going down this week, CC Sabathia going to the Brewers and Rich Harden going to the Cubs, you knew it was only a matter of time before the local media started to ask Theo Epstein what his plans were for the upcoming trade market.

“We’re monitoring the situation daily, but I don’t think you can force an evaluation,” said Epstein. “We’re going to be looking outside the organization, and it’s our responsibility. There’s only so many times a year when teams are open to talk trade. We’ll explore every possible opportunity, but I really think the most help for this club might come from inside the organization.”

With what the Red Sox need, let’s hope they don’t need to go outside the organization, especially given the plethora of talent that Epstein has assembled in the minors.

With Sarasota in play a potential spring training site for the Red Sox, the Ft. Myers News-Press takes a look at the top 10 highlights since the Red Sox started holding spring training in the Fort.

Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire would like Denard Span to stay with the big club when Michael Cuddyer returns from the disabled list.

Our friend Dan over at Red Sox Monster has an exclusive look at the can for the new Kevin Youkilis Slump Buster drink.

David Ortiz is taking advantage of his downtime to record a record with DMC of Run-DMC fame.

Carlos Gomez talked about what it’s like to patrol centerfield at Fenway Park as a visitor.

Terry Francona decided last night was a good night to give Jason Varitek a day off given his slump and the fact that the Red Sox play a day game today. Plus with Tim Wakefield on Friday, it will give the Captain another day off.

“What I’ve learned after five years is you can’t ask Tek,” said Francona. “He wants to do whatever is right, and in his mind it’s not ever saying he can’t play. But we’re coming off an emotional series, a whole lot of one-run games. You feel it. We were all (more tired) coming home.”

“I thought it was in his best interest to sit him,” said Francona.

While his primary role with the Red Sox is to take care of the pitching staff, his bat has been missed as you’ve seen whomever is batting in front of him intentionally walked to face him instead.

Terry Francona isn’t worried about Jacoby Ellsbury’s slump and has no plans to remove him from the top of the lineup.

All of Jon Lester’s hard work has been paying off as he has now thrown 125 innings so far this season.

“I’ve thrown innings before, it’s just that I haven’t done it at this level. I think the past two years have helped to transition me into this workload, but I feel great.”

“Pitching nine innings in the big leagues compared to nine innings in the minor leagues is very different on a stress level for your body and your mind,” he said. “It’s definitely a workload thing.

“If you’re throwing 85 pitches in five innings up here, it’s like you’re throwing 120 in eight innings down there.”

Lester has been great so far for the Red Sox this season. Let’s hope the extended workload doesn’t tire him out as the season starts coming to a close. Although we do know that Tito and John Farrell will do a good job of making sure that he and the other Red Sox starters get some extra rest.

For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant and Providence Journal websites.

And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying you can check out the The Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press websites.