Leaving Las Vegas ...

Not that the winter meetings aren't interesting, but they seemed particularly slow this year -- and not just for journalists. Other than the action at the gaming tables, in which I can promise I didn't participate, the near-unanimous view was that the Las Vegas winter meetings didn't exactly lead to a flurry of moves or even a flurry of talk.

That could change now that the general managers are away from their suites and back home. Mark Teixeira obviously still needs a home, as well as most of the other free agents in this market. Jake Peavy-to-anywhere was on and off and on and off and on and off, and I can't imagine how much his head is spinning at this point.

So from the Rays' deals to potential Red Sox deals and everything in between, here is the post-winter meetings version of the Mailbag. Note: Things are subject to change at any time at this point in the year. So keep that in mind. And we'll let you know if the holidays are bringing any new players as a gift to the Red Sox -- and to you.

So with all the talk about the Red Sox & Yankees trying to better their teams on the free agent market, what are the division-winning Rays up to?
David, Bowing Green, Ohio

The division-winning Rays were relatively productive during the winter meetings. (And, really, the Red Sox haven't been up to a whole lot, if you discount what has amounted to just talk so far.) They traded Edwin Jackson to Detroit for outfielder Matt Joyce. That means we won't be seeing Gabe Gross as the Rays' right fielder, a player who didn't exactly impress in the postseason (and just about every time the Sox played the Rays, too, if you can believe a colleague who shall remain nameless). It freed up a rotation spot for David Price, and upgraded the Rays' outfield. The Rays also met with Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu and Milton Bradley (or their agents) in order to improve their offense. The team might do more, and it has already accomplished a few of its goals coming into the winter meetings.

Is there any real reason for me to become optimistic about the possibility of our beloved Sox signing one of my all-time favorite pitchers ... John Smoltz? A one-year shot with an option surely makes sense to me as I believe he would not even be considering coming back if he were not plenty healthy enough to do so!
Winning, Farmville, Va.

The Sox are certainly interested in John Smoltz, and he fits the type of contract that they love. It would be a low-risk, short-term deal for them. But the likelihood is that Smoltz remains with the Braves, as he has for the entirety of his career. The Sox aren't alone, as the Tigers, Mets, and Brewers are also intrigued by Smoltz, who is coming off June surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum.

If Boston cannot move Julio Lugo to another team, could he learn center field so that he can be a super-sub at 3B, SS, 2B and OF? Thanks.
Otto, California

Julio Lugo hasn't exactly been receptive to the outfield in the past, particularly when he was used in the super-sub role as a member of the Dodgers. I talked to him about playing the outfield last season, when he was used for one game in left field, and he wasn't all that fond of the concept. I think that ultimately it would be unlikely that the Sox (or Lugo) would be interested in having him as an infielder/outfielder backup.

Thanks for all of the updates this offseason. I am wondering what will happen if the BoSox sign Teixeira. Does anyone feel that David Ortiz, though a hero, needs to go? I would rather have Mike Lowell (for his gutsy performances, his defense, durability, and willingness to play hurt) than Ortiz. Though Ortiz provided us with unforgettable memories, he is no longer what he once was. He does not play defense, which can make it difficult if someone needs rest. Ortiz and Lowell both have two years left on their contracts and I think that the Sox could get more in return in a trade for Ortiz. I know he was hurt last year, but the same could be said for Mike Lowell and Lowell was far more impressive in his ability to play both sides of the ball when hurt. Finally a Lowell, Teixeira, Youk corner infield/DH rotation would keep the players fresh and well rested. Would Theo ever consider trading Ortiz? Should Ortiz be traded while his value is still high?
Pat, Bristol, Conn.

If the Sox sign Teixeira, they'll have to do something. I'd certainly put the odds on the Sox shipping out Mike Lowell over David Ortiz. Would Theo Epstein consider trading Ortiz? Of course. The Sox consider everything and, as we all know, they try to stay as far away from emotional decisions as they can. But there's another problem, too, that makes this scenario even more difficult. Ortiz is now a 10/5 player, meaning he's been in the league for 10 years and with his current club for five, so he would have to approve any trade the Sox made.

That aside, that doesn't necessarily mean it would be the right decision. Right now, though, the Sox are missing a big, dominating power bat to team with Ortiz. That would be Teixeira. Coupling that with a trade of Ortiz to keep Lowell wouldn't exactly instill the fear of the middle of the order that the Sox would like to have from opposing teams. While, yes, there are questions about the health and production of both Lowell and Ortiz, it is far more likely that the Sox will be opening up a third-base spot for Kevin Youkilis than a designated hitter spot for a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman in Teixeira.

Love the mailbag. Like most Sox fans I am in favor of bringing Teixeira into the fold, even if it means we have to say goodbye to Mike Lowell. But Lowell has been a leader, a very productive player and a great teammate during his time with the Sox. He just signed a new contract last year for less money then he could have gotten elsewhere because he wanted to stay in Boston. To ship him out because we got a shiny new toy seems pretty unfair to him. Do you think other future free agents might look at that and be hesitant to sign with Boston, for fear that the same thing could happen to them?
Jason, Rochester, NY

I can't imagine that Mike Lowell is all that excited about the prospect of being traded just one year into his new deal. But, then again, most baseball players understand that baseball is a business. Teams have to do what they have to do. The Red Sox have the advantage of being a place that players want to go. The Sox win, and they do it with a generally good clubhouse atmosphere -- save for some of the Manny Ramirez troubles. There are always concerns from free agents about the pressure and the fish bowl situation, but the Sox are almost always a popular destination. Could this be another issue for a potential free agent? Maybe, it's certainly possible. Still, given all the advantages the Sox offer, I would tend to think that it wouldn't be a huge issue going forward.

Yahoo! reported this morning that there were talks of a Lugo and Eric Byrnes swap. Is there any truth to this? Can you provide any insight? This seems to me a great deal, an almost even amount of risk for each team involved. Even though Byrnes' injuries are from hustle plays. We need to get rid of LUGO ASAP.
Ryan, Newmarket, NH

I heard talk of that deal during the last couple of days as well. But the Diamondbacks signed free agent Felipe Lopez, a deal that would fill their second base hole. With Stephen Drew being one of the better shortstops in the National League and Lopez signed, it wouldn't make much sense for Arizona to want a $9 million backup infielder. So I'd put that rumored deal in the over-and-done-with category.

If the Sox sign Texieria, what happens to Lars Anderson? Do they move him in a package for catching depth, or let him develop into more of a DH role ready to take Ortiz's spot when he's ready to hang it up?
Josh, Vermont

At the moment, there would be no reason for the Sox to do anything. (This is assuming the Sox get Teixeira, of course.) Anderson is at least a year away from being ready for the major leagues, so they can listen to offers and let him continue to develop at the minor league level, likely starting the season in Double A. He's one of the best first base prospects in baseball, and the Sox' top prospect, so the Sox wouldn't be letting him go for nothing. If the right package came along, they'd certainly consider it, but you also have to remember that he's one of the very few minor leaguers in the Sox system that has any power at all. That could, as you said, come in handy at the major league level if David Ortiz doesn't happen to round back into form in 2010 and/or beyond.

Thanks, Amalie for such great work at the winter meetings! I had a question: If there was a Type A free agent who was offered and declined arbitration and didn't sign with a team (maybe he retired) would the team receive any compensation? Thanks!
Yoni, Sharon

You are very welcome. Nope. There would be no compensation if a Type A free agent didn't sign with a team.

With all the talk about the "big prizes" this week, no one mentions Manny Ramirez. If he's one of the best hitters in baseball, a big reason for the Dodgers' postseason, and almost certainly headed to the Hall of Fame, why isn't he considered a "prize" too? Are teams shy about him after the way he left Boston?
Olaf, United Kingdom

Depends on where you were standing, whether or not you heard talk of Manny Ramirez. I was among the group of media around Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti when he discussed that his team had never heard back from Scott Boras on their offer for Ramirez, or their offer of arbitration, early in the winter meetings. The agent simply didn't respond. But the two sides seem to be engaged in discussions at the moment regarding Ramirez. The reason that the market hasn't been more active for him is that Mark Teixeira has to come off the table first. Though it's not true in the case of the Red Sox, who have no Teixeira fall-back plan, the losers in that sweepstakes might head down the line of Boras clients. I heard talk that the Angels also would not be interested in Ramirez, but the Nationals and/or Orioles could be. Maybe the Yankees? Teams aren't thrilled about his departure from Boston, and clubs need to go into a contract with him with their eyes open. But he'll be a prize for some team, there's no question about that.

Any idea which Sox players (other than Dice-K, obviously) will be playing in the World Classic this year? I can see El Caballito at 2nd for USA. Also, how's Mike Lowell coming along?
Hayduke, Tampa

Terry Francona estimated that about seven to nine of his players -- at least of those on the current roster -- will be playing in the WBC this season. So other than Daisuke Matsuzaka, my guess is that the possibilities will be Hideki Okajima, David Ortiz, Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, and Jon Lester. Those are mostly just guesses on my part. No inside information, other than some players expressing interest in playing in the WBC. So that would give the Sox players on the US, Japan, Dominican Republic, and Canada rosters. Mike Lowell would have played for Puerto Rico, had he been healthy. Lowell, for his part, got a glowing review from trainers back in Boston. It looks like he might start hitting by January. Both Francona and Theo Epstein said he's ahead of schedule on his rehab.

Do you think that Chris Carter or Jeff Bailey will be given the opportunity to win the Sean Casey roll for '09, with the added benefit that they can play LF also, or are they more likely to pursue a FA like old friend Eric Hinske?
Tim, Hampton, Va.

I think there's a chance you could see Jeff Bailey in that role, though Chris Carter's defensive issues leave him with almost no shot. Terry Francona has long liked Bailey. Still, I think it's more likely that the Sox find a corner infielder/Sean Casey-type outside of the organization.

So where does everyone stand on Clay Buchholz? Two years ago, his stuff was called top notch, one year ago he couldn't pitch a single good game, and now lots of media folks are saying he is trade bait ... what's the real deal? Also, since we on the topic of the Sox' future, what do they see in Salty from the Rangers to make him the preferred choice for a catcher?
Jared, McLean, Va.

Clearly Clay Buchholz is high in the estimation of many teams, not least the Rangers. He is on their list as a favored option in case the Sox and Rangers can get together on a deal for a catcher (either Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden). Nolan Ryan seemed pretty interested in Buchholz over the last couple days, mentioning how good the Texas native might look in a Rangers uniform. He started out extremely well in the Arizona Fall League, then dropped off slightly. From all that I've heard, the belief is that he'll be fine. His stuff is there, despite his rough 2008. As for Saltalamacchia, his offense is definitely ahead of his defense, but there's potential there behind the plate.

With draft picks becoming an ever more important commodity or asset for MLB teams, do you ever see MLB going the route of the NFL and the NBA with teams being allowed to trade draft picks as part of deals for other players? If not, why not?
Jim, Newport News, Va.

I'm not sure whether or not baseball will ever allow trading of draft picks, but I do know that there has been support and discussion about a possible change by general managers and scouting directors for years. For teams, like the Sox, who rarely have choices at the top of the draft, it would change what they're able to do. Right now, there are certain players that they absolutely know they'll never be able to get in most drafts. One of the big questions, I think, is whether it would bring the disparity in talent acquisition between the haves and have nots to an even greater level. While recently it has seemed that even small-market teams are taking the best talent in the draft, keeping that talent from slipping with signability issues, I wonder if being able to trade the picks would reverse that trend.

Does Jim Rice get elected to the Hall of Fame this year?
Drew Daniels, Charlotte, NC

I don't have a vote, as a baseball writer needs to be a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America for 10 years to vote for the Hall of Fame. But I think he does get in this year. Take that for what it's worth, of course.