Red Sox Notes

Back from a few days away from the magic box... When I said that the Red Sox might take a look at re-acquiring Doug Mirabelli later in the season, I meant June or July -- not four days later. However, the Sox had different plans. They traded for Tim Wakefield's safety net at catcher yesterday and even got Mirabelli into Fenway to start last night's game against the Yankees. In making the move for Mirabelli, Boston dealt Josh Bard, who has talent, Pawtucket reliever Cla Meredith and cash to the Padres... The Red Sox offense is most likely what will be their undoing in 2006. Other than David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, their just isn't enough consistency. The loss of Coco Crisp has hurt them but it is ridiculous to think he can instantly return and make this offense similar to the 2003-2005 Red Sox that bashed their way to three playoff appearances and a World Series championship. Getting Mark Loretta, Trot Nixon, Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell to consistently hit as a group will be paramount to the fortunes of 2006. This lineup can't afford to have any of them go through prolonged dry spells. The bench is of almost no help -- other than Wily Mo Pena -- in the offensive area as well. Theo Epstein faces the problem of not having a bat waiting in the minors to jump start the offense. The likes of David Murphy, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury are at least a year (if not more) from impacting the Boston lineup. The pitching is going to be solid. Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Wakefield, Jonathan Papelbon and the rest will assure us of remaining a contender. But can the offense start to click? That is the $64,000 question... How long until Craig Hansen hits Boston is the question running through my mind. In his first appearance for Pawtucket, the 2005 first round pick pitched 2.1 scoreless innings and struck out two. Another two or three weeks of outings like the first and Hansen could be at Fenway... Speaking of the minor leagues', the TBI Minor League Player of the Week is Pawtucket first baseman Hee-Seop Choi. Choi, acquired by the Red Sox off of waivers from the Dodgers at the end of spring training, may provide some offensive relief off the bench in Boston at the end of his rehabilitation stint with the PawSox. In 17 games (58 at-bats), Choi is batting .328 with 3 homeruns and 11 RBI's. If J.T. Snow continues to struggle in his reserve role with the Red Sox, anticipate Choi coming to Boston.