The agent of San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez said recently that the Padres can't afford the first baseman, making his departure from San Diego a potential reality -- at some point. This is where all the Red Sox fans drool and say, "oh! oh! please! pick us!"

But, honestly, let's just think about the team that stands now.

Mark Teixeira, the first baseman who most closely matches Gonzalez, signed an eight-year, $180 million contract with the Yankees before last season. If that’s the starting point for a new deal, that’s where the Padres can be expected to start implementing an exit strategy.

"I don’t ever want to speak for ownership because I have no knowledge of what they have and what they don’t," Boggs said. "(But) the feeling we’re getting is more than likely (the Padres) are going to have to trade Adrian Gonzalez because (they) can’t afford him."

Does A-Gonz seem like a fit in Boston? Sure, at some point maybe. Will he be in Boston for Spring Training, though? No way in a very cold hell.

Instead, let's not think about Adrian Gonzalez. Let's not think about him coming over in July. Let's not think about acquiring him in December 2010. Let's just allow Adrian Gonzalez play for the Pads and the Red Sox play, well, for the Red Sox. We've got enough things to think about anyway with the current team.

Perhaps this may be hard thing to do. Gonzalez is one of those players that can change a team; there aren't many of him in baseball. He's up there with the likes of a Joe Mauer or an Albert Pujols (although, in reality, there's no one in the world of Pujols). He's a prize that I'm sure we'd all love to see wearing a Red Sox hat one day, but dang it, it's just not worth it.

Look at the Gonzalez situation like your all-too-long To Do list. You have 20 things on that list, but you find yourself worrying about the one that, in all honesty, is the least important and the furthest away. There are other issues at hand that need attention and need it faster.

Not to stress you out, but here's a nice bulletted list to keep us thinking through Spring Training:

• Who's going to fill out the bullpen?
• Where does Mike Lowell fit with this team, if at all? Will he be any kind of cancer?
• Is Adrian Beltre going to be able to regain his swing in Fenway Park?
• Will Marco Scutaro be a one-hit wonder, or does he have some juice left in the tank?
• Is Tim Wakefield going to be "respected" by being in the starting rotation, or will he find himself in the bullpen.
• Speaking of the rotation, will Clay Buchholz be the unfortunate starter-turned-bullpener when April rolls around?
• Are the Fenway Franks going to be any more expensive?! (Exclamation point added for emphasis and sarcasm.)

That was an easy list. I didn't even really think too hard. I'm sure there are at least 10 more that may be even more important than this one, but you get the picture.

Now, should we really be thinking about Adrian Gonzalez? Or do you think we should polish off more of that To Do list?...