I don't want the Red Sox to trade Tavarez.  I thought he did a great job this year in plugging the holes in the pitching staff, much like how Mike Timlin plug the hole in becoming closer in 2005 when the bullpen was a mess with Foulke injured.  Even though Tavarez stats aren't pretty, he ate up innings, which gave the bullpen rest, especially in blowout games. I always feel it is a thin line between tight games, that a strong rested bullpen is needed so games don't turn out to the something like the 30-3 Texas and Baltimore game in September.  

  However I understand Tavarez's situation, he wasn't put on the ALCS and World Series roster, and he has enough talent that he can be 4th-5th starter with a club like the Pirates, the Reds. or the Brewers. Personally, if I want any team to get Tavarez outside of the Sox, it would be one of his former teams, the Cubs.

 If Tavarez goes, I wonder if someone like Hansen can take over doing middle relief and act like a fireman if some of the starting rotation is injured, or the Red Sox.  I see also Kyle Snyder also taking over some of the thankless work that Tavarez did alot of the 2007 season, but his arm is too tempermental, I don't know if Bryan Corey will be on the staff in 2008, but he could also be a candidate.

I like Kyle Snyder for Julian's role (long-man / emergency spot starter). He's younger and cheaper. Julian seems to do best with regular appearances - when he was starting regularly at the beginning of the year for example. Working inconsistently from the pen does not help him pitch better. Plus, he asked for a trade, and if he doesn't get one he may become a source of clubhouse tension. The man only has so much magnanimity (he said several times in 2007 that his role was to hold a spot until Lester was ready).

 I did not know that Julian is boyz with Dice-K.  What a bizarre friendship that must be...