So Manny says he's tired of the Sox, that they don't deserve him, and that he'll approve a trade if the Sox think they're better off without him. But maybe in Manny-being-Manny world, he doesn't really think they'll trade him. Maybe he's just having fun, talking trash and making sure he can hit the free agency market this off-season.

So what do you think - will veto a trade?

The Boston Red Sox place shortstop Julio Lugo on the 15-day disabled list with a left quad strain on Saturday.

Lugo was injured Friday night while running out an infield single in the ninth inning of Boston's 7-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Lugo began to limp as he approached first base, then dropped to ground shortly after hitting the bag.

The age of Lowrie has begun. We shall see how he fares, but it looks like he'll be getting a two week tryout here.

I think an infield of Lowell, Pedroia, Youk and Lowrie could set a record for doubles.

*********UPDATE************

He had an MRI today and said the doctor told him it was torn; the team said it was a "severe strain." He is expected to be out 4-to-6 weeks and was in the team clubhouse with a large brace on his left leg.

So it looks like Lowrie's tryout might be a month. I just picked him up for my fantsy team - you might want to do the same...

Boston

Ellsbury-CF
Pedroia-2B
Youkilis-1B
Ramirez-DH
Lowell-3B
Varitek-C
Drew-RF
Bailey-LF
Lugo-SS
Colon-SP

Baltimore

Roberts-2B
Markakis-RF
Millar-1B
Huff-3B
Scott-DH
Payton-LF
Jones-CF
Quiroz-C
Bynum-SS
Burres-SP

So Papi felt a "pop" in his wrist last night. Hopefully it's no thang, but he's taking a breather and scheduled for an MRI.

In other news, Brandon Moss has seemingly recovered from his appendectomy. He hit three HRs last night for the Pawsox.

If no one else will do it...

Boston

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Coco Crisp, CF
9. Julio Lugo, SS
-- Jon Lester, SP

Baltimore

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Melvin Mora, 3B
4. Kevin Millar, 1B
5. Aubrey Huff, DH
6. Ramon Hernandez, C
7. Jay Payton, LF
8. Adam Jones, CF
9. Alex Cintron, SS
-- Garrett Olson, SP

2nd inning, 0-0.

Last I checked, Celts were up by 16 mid-way through the 3rd. But my wife wants to watch Top Chef.

Little nugget from Gammons today - "Beane says Jacoby Ellsbury is "without doubt the best defensive center fielder in the game today."

Red Sox

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, RF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Mike Lowell, 3B
6. Sean Casey, 1B
7. Coco Crisp, CF
8. Kevin Cash, C
9. Julio Lugo, SS

-- Tim Wakefield, SP

Mariners

1. Ichiro Suzuki, CF
2. Miguel Cairo, 1B
3. Jose Vidro, DH
4. Raul Ibanez, LF
5. Jose Lopez, 2B
6. Adrian Beltre, 3B
7. Wladimir Balentien, RF
8. Jamie Burke, C
9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS

-- Erik Bedard, SP

This is fun.

It's a pretty good team. Mantle, Sosa, Palmiero and Belle are all on the bench. I knew about most of these guys' "issues," but there are some I was unaware of. Lamarr Hoyt, for example. And the Parrot is a real shocker.

I'm trying to think of who is missing. Gaylord Perry, perhaps. Dock Ellis, maybe - though I always found his story to be amusing.

Anyways. Drugs are bad. Very very bad.

I just figured that out. And I am glad that I did - Hansen looks nasty. Orel Hershiser says he has an elite arm. 96 MPH fastball, and a 87 MPH slider that drops about two feet right before it reaches the plate. I am drooling.

In other news, Dice BB walked EIGHT FRICKIN GUYS. In five innings. Though he managed to only allow one run. Crazy.

Anyways, I guess this can be an open thread, if anyone out there is on-site...

3 year deal, $24 million. My initial thought was "Jeff Clement, drool." Apparently Buster Olney had the same reaction. (link requires membership...)

"What follows is pure speculation; to repeat, pure speculation. With the Mariners now committed to Johjima for the next few years, it might make sense for Seattle to offer catching prospect Jeff Clement to the Red Sox in return for outfielder Coco Crisp, with other players also involved in the deal; the Red Sox would have to include some pitching.

"Boston is looking to improve its catching depth and Clement could give them a solid alternative one day, as Jason Varitek enters the last years of his career, and the Mariners desperately need to stabilize their outfield situation. Crisp could play right field, with Ichiro Suzuki remaining in center, or, if Ichiro preferred right, Crisp could play center."

Never mind that Coco in RF is a ridiculously terrible idea, especially with Ichiro and his arm being relatively wasted in LF. Clement is apparently having a strong season thus far at AAA -

Clement is tearing up the Class AAA ranks for the team's Tacoma affiliate. The first-round draft pick from 2005 is hitting .364 with an on-base-plus-slugging percentage of 1.161 with five home runs and 17 runs batted in over 66 at-bats.

I don't know much about Clement's defense. And I don't know what else it would take beyond Coco. Bowden? Hansen? Anyone but Masterson? Git er done, Theo.

Via Rob Neyer's insider page at ESPN, I came across this article at Baseball Analysts, where Patrick Sullivan goes over a number of position player battles this ST.

First up, Coco v. Ellsbury:

                     Crisp                 Ellsbury
2007              .268/.330/.382   .353/.394/.509
2008 (Pecota) .278/.338/.407   .287/.346/.395
2008 (Zips)     .271/.333/.410   .297/.349/.392

This one will be interesting. With Curt Schilling likely out for an extended period of time (if not the entire season), it would not be surprising to see Crisp dealt for starting pitching depth before Opening Day. Barring such a deal, however, Francona will be tested. Crisp is an appalingly frustrating hitter to watch and the vocal Boston fanbase is ready for a change. Not helping his cause is that his fielding prowess is not necessarily discernible to the naked eye. He is one of the very best defensive center fielders in baseball. Furthermore, Ellsbury dazzled in last year's playoffs, and Red Sox fans are chomping at the bit to see the kid get a fulltime shot.

But have a look at the numbers above. Given his superior glovework, Crisp looks like he is the better option. If Theo and the Boston brass stand pat and head into the season with both players on the roster, Francona's resolve will be tested.

I agree with homeboy that Coco is appalling to watch at the plate and a joy to watch in the field. I'd be pleasantly surprised if Coco were to pick up 25-30 points of SLG this year (as PECOTA and ZIPS project, but I'm not very hopeful about it. My guess is that the projections are inflated because they are factoring in his last year in Cleveland as part of their projections.

I think Jacoby will outperform those projections by a bit - though I see his OPS in the high .700s, approaching .800, as opposed to the .900 we saw last year. And everything I've heard about Jacoby is that he will be excellent defensively too, so it won't be too much of a drop from Coco to him.

And then there's the intangibles, which based on last year's playoff performances alone, certainly favor Ellsbury.

Though I have to say, given Coco's potential to make a scene if he's not the starter, it might be worth having Ellsbury ride the pine to keep up Coco's trade value.

Anyways, read the rest of the article, and check out the Baseball Analysts site.