While the Red Sox examined whether to pursue White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe, major league sources indicate the team backed away from a possible deal to acquire him.

The Red Sox really like the job done by Jed Lowrie and feel that Alex Cora can be an adequate backup to Lowrie until Julio Lugo returns to the scene sometime in mid-August. That's not to say the Sox won't consider another veteran shortstop if the fit and price is right.

The Sox are still pursuing relievers. They had explored a possible deal with Washington for Jon Rauch but major league sources indicated that the asking price of Lowrie and Michael Bowden was too high. Rauch was dealt to Arizona.