Red Sox Notebook: Lowering The Boom On '06

For three straight playoff-bound seasons, the Red Sox made the phrase "wait 'til next year" an afterthought. Amidst a brutal stretch in which they have won just four of their last 18 games, however, the team acknowledged that its playoff ambitions now focus chiefly on future seasons rather than 2006.

The team traded starter David Wells (2-3, 4.98) to the Padres in exchange for a player to be named, reportedly 23-year-old minor league catcher George Kottaras. The departure of Boston's best starter in August (Wells had a 2.98 ERA in five starts) represents an admission that the team's current postseason prospects are little more than a dream.

"We never as an organization want to be in this position, making trades of this nature at this time of year," general manager Theo Epstein said. "It's very tough to strip anything from our big-league team when we're going through such a difficult time, but I think, taking a look in the mirror, that we made the right decision."

Still, the club acknowledged that the choice was a painful one. Given that the Sox have typically been midseason buyers rather than sellers since 1998, the message delivered by the pitcher's departure was stark.

"Missing [Wells] hurts," Curt Schilling said. "He's going to be a valuable tool to somebody trying to get to a World Series and win a World Series. Hopefully, if he's not here, somebody comes in for him who is going to help us win the World Series next year."


REPLAY: With scheduled starter David Wells shipped to San Diego, the Red Sox relied on a motley group of relievers to steer the team to a 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays. Long reliever Julian Tavarez (three innings) started the relay, handing the ball to Bryan Corey (two innings), Manny Delcarmen (two innings), Mike Timlin (2/3 of an inning) and Jonathan Papelbon (1 1/3 innings).

The Sox touched Roy Halladay for six earned runs, the most he’s surrendered since he allowed six on April 24, 2005. Mike Lowell ripped a three-run homer, and Alex Cora touched Halladay for a deep fly to right that was bobbled and then knocked into the stands by Toronto outfielder Alex Rios for a two-run homer.


NOTES, QUOTES
—LHP Jon Lester remains at Massachusetts General Hospital for examination after doctors discovered enlarged lymph nodes while examining his back. Such a medical finding suggests the possibility of several illnesses, from a relatively benign virus to a far more serious condition such as cancer. The team could offer few details about Lester's condition because of privacy laws.

—DH David Ortiz was released from the hospital early Thursday morning after two days of tests on his irregular heartbeat. He will return to the lineup once he is given medical clearance from doctors. Though Ortiz said in an interview with a Dominican radio station that he would return to the lineup on Saturday, a Red Sox spokesman deemed such claims "very premature." The Sox are likely to take a cautious approach with their slugger rather than jeopardize his health.

—OF Trot Nixon, C Jason Varitek and SS Alex Gonzalez are all close to returning to the club. Nixon (strained right biceps) played seven innings and went 0-for-4 during his first rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket and could return after two more games in the minors. Varitek (left knee) is expected to catch five innings on Friday and seven on Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket. If he shows no lingering effects from the surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, he could be activated as soon as Monday. Gonzalez (right oblique) is expected to return on Sunday.

—2B/SS Alex Cora hit his first homer since August 15, 2005, ending a span of 245 at-bats without a homer. It was Cora's first career homer in 150 at-bats at Fenway Park.

—RHP Kevin Jarvis was acquired from the Diamondbacks organization for a player to be named. The 37-year-old right-hander, who was 3-6 with a 3.44 ERA for Triple-A Tucson, has been assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he will likely address the depletion of arms that the farm system is experiencing.