Jeff Kent?

Replacing Mark Bellhorn is a subject I broached today on TheBostonInsider. One of the replacements I mentioned for marK was L.A. Dodger second baseman Jeff Kent. Kent is a player that Theo Epstein and the Red Sox have expressed interest in during the past; they explored acquiring him after the 2002 season but he instead signed with the Houston Astros. Getting Kent now makes sense. Sure, he has many miles on his 37-year-old legs but he is still a dangerous force at the plate. His 2005 numbers to date include a .291 batting average, 14 home runs and 53 RBI. Normally an offensively challenged team like the Dodgers would hold on to such a run producer but Los Angeles is quickly slipping out of contention in the National League (5.5-games in the NL West, 4.5-games in the Wild Card). By trading a veteran like Kent now, they can begin to build their foundation for 2006 and beyond. Kent will not come cheap. The Dodgers could ask for at least three above average prospects in return for their second baseman. He also has a sizeable salary -- a price tag of $7.35 million for '05. But adding a player such as Kent can put the Red Sox over the top in the AL. He would fit perfectly into the No. 2 hole in the lineup, behind Johnny Damon and in front of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. He also plays a quality second base and in a pinch he can move over to either third or first. This is a move that Epstein must give consideration to if the Sox are serious about contending for a second consecutive World Series.