All eyes at Rogers Centre in Toronto tonight will be on Clay Buchholz as he makes his 2009 Boston Red Sox debut. Buchholz has been called up to help settle the rotation after the 5-day layoff for the All-Star Break.
It’s an interesting move by the Red Sox as Buchholz is one of the names being thrown around in trade rumors for the Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay. While the Jays prefer to move Halladay out of the AL East, anything is possible and the right mix of prospects could change that. Buchholz already has the experience of pitching in the big leagues and has a no-hitter on his resume. How he does tonight could determine whether or not the Red Sox would include him in a deal.
The other pressing issue for the Red Sox right now is what to do with Julio Lugo. The rampant speculation suggest that Lugo will be outright released with the team eating the $13.5 million left on Lugo’s contract. And to more fuel to the speculation, Lugo wasn’t in Toronto with the team last night.
Terry Francona said it was a matter of miscommunication but I don’t think anyone is buying it as the Red Sox need to make room on the roster this weekend for the returns of Mike Lowell and Jed Lowrie from the disabled list plus adding Buchholz to the roster.
Time will tell during the day today whether or not Lugo is still a member of the Red Sox. But I’ll just go ahead now and say good riddance Julio, you won’t be missed by this fan.
Time to make a move [Boston Globe]
Red Sox, Yankees Return From Their Break [Hartford Courant]
Buchholz returning to prime time [Providence Journal]
Clay Buchholz happy to help Red Sox [Boston Herald]
Lefthander could right the bullpen [Boston Globe]
Red Sox journal: Lugo missing from team workout in Toronto [Providence Journal]
AL East will be a beast [Boston Herald]
On the spot [Boston Globe]
Josh Beckett finds the zone [Boston Herald]
How Red Sox pitchers work the strike zone [Boston Globe]
Coming moves spell doom for Julio Lugo [Boston Herald]
Halladay, Bay and Holliday Fend Off Distractions [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
Amidst Rumors, Buchholz Unveiled [Full Count]
Lugo does not make trip to Toronto [RedSox.com]
Will John Henry eat Julio Lugo’s contract? [Extra Bases]
Red Sox Aggressive in Signing International Shortstops [Full Count]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Providence Journal websites.
