Time to trade for Nick Johnson. Keep Youk at 3B, accept some minor defensive liabilities at 1B, and get the big extra bat we need in the everyday lineup. Lowell's intermediate future is currently unknown. Hopefully he will be fine in a month or so, and there can be a day-off rotation between 1B-3B-DH, but we could seriously use the extra offensive pop and keep the 1B kids down at Pawtucket.

The options are limited without exposing young players to waivers. My guess is either Gil Velazquez will be designated for assignment or Daisuke Matsuzaka will be transferred to the 60 day DL.

Could they move Jed Lowrie to the 60 day DL retroactively while he's already on rehab? That would still make him eligible to come off anytime.

As soon as I heard this, I was expecting Bates to appear (and hoping no one would be calling stupidly for Lars Anderson). Oddly, this may mean Lars spends some time in Pawtucket because has Pawtucket now run out of first basemen?

Which two of the following do you give for Johnson: Masterson, Bowden or Delcarmen? Plus, Johnson will want to play every day (which he might until next week when Lowell comes back).

Nick Johnson is an injury machine. Not worth trading anyone for him.

Wow, it's hard to believe the guy who put up a golden sombrero when I first saw him on Opening Day in Lowell in 2006 has been called up to the majors three years later. Congrats to Aaron Bates, now lets hope he can continue to hit!

And I still don't think they have to make a trade.....yet. With Lowrie coming back, they can play both him and Green on the left side of the infield need be, or play Lugo a little more, or play Kotsay at first like they have been. It's not like they have to panic.

Lowrie to the 60-DL. Its done.

can anyone explain why lars anderson isnt being brought up to fill 1st? he has been high on the radar for a few years but the when the option comes up that would allow him on the big club his name isnt mentioned? im sure im missing something but i dont know what that something is.

It's got to be DiceK to the 60 day DL. No point in waiving a player who can help AAA nd teh big league club now like Gil Velazquez. DiceK to the 60 DL would make him eligible to play again in mid-August and it doesn't appear they will need him before then nor would he be ready by then. They could DFA Travis Denker I guess as he has been useless at AAA. But I say DiceK.

Don't touch Nick Johnson. If you're going to throw away talent for a player, you might as well go for Martinez if the Tribe is willing to trade him.

Great .. Bates has been in Left Field all year in Portland because Anderson has played first base ... and Bates wasn't that good playing there last year either ... They would have been better off playing Lugo at Short - Green at Third and Youkilis at first.

If they make any moves (and that's a big if), it will likely be for a third baseman. Nick Johnson in a Sox uniform? That's a nightmare. Garrett Atkins anybody?

Forget Nick Johnson. Trade for Kila Ka'aihue. He's not as injury prone, he's good defensively, he's an OBP machine and he has much more power than Johnson. Plus he's cheaper. He's just rotting away at triple A right now for Kansas City. The Royals stupidly traded for Mike Jacobs last winter, so Kila is buried on the depth chart.

south dakota, what you are missing is that Anderson is only 21 and in his 1st yr of AA. Bates is 25 and scorched AA before being promoted to AAA. Just because Anderson has a potential higher ceiling doesn't mean he gets a call.

What the F. Can't we bring up our #1 1B prospect? Lars Anderson deserves a shot, even if he has to go back down, plus it's a great park to visit (Lars Anderson I mean)

Yankees lose. Toronto barely gets our of NY with a win.

Time to pick up a game boys!!!!!! NY has an ugly road trip coming up: Minny, Texas (just swept TB) and LA Ankles of Disney Land.

here's hoping for an 0-9 road trip!!!!!

If you trade for Johnson it would only be a matter of time until he is running after a pop up in shallow right and runs into JD Drew ending both of their careers. Having both of them on the same field is a horrible idea, I would not give up even a C level prospect for him. Just package some guys and go get Adrian Gonzalez

Lars is only 21. He's not ready yet.

You might see him in September, but next year is more realistic.

If you trade for Johnson it would only be a matter of time until he is running after a pop up in shallow right and runs into JD Drew ending both of their careers. Having both of them on the same field is a horrible idea, I would not give up even a C level prospect for him. Just package some guys and go get Adrian Gonzalez

No to Nick Johnson. Living in the DC area for the past three years, all I've seen is this guy on the DL. Great when he's healthy, but he's not most of the time. If you're going to spend chips, spend them on something sure

thata boy batesie. Hope you kill it.

It's too soon to bring up Lars Anderson. He has AT MOST a year or so of AA experience, let alone AAA experience. Bringing up Bates and moving Lowrie to the 60 day DL is probably the right call... FOR NOW. If it results in the Sox going 3-7 on this homestand, falling 2-4 games behind the Yankees, and Mike Lowell suffers another setback THEN it would be time to explore a BIG TRADE. I think Garret Atkins would be an EXCELLENT IDEA, but let's not forget that Youk can also cover 3rd.

I love this move! Bates is a big kid (6-4/230lb), very good at 1B and has a tone of power potential. He fall of the radar screen due to mediocre season that he had last year (.276/.366/.420/11HR), but he has great work ethic and he improved a lot this year.

Well deserved!

the answer to the Lars Anderson question -- because he's not good enough. He may be some day, but not today. When your value to the organization is as a power hitting corner infielder and you're hitting .250 without much power or RBIs in double A -- you're not going to get a call. You don't go from hitting 7th in double A to starting in the majors. Power hitters don't anyway. He's a prospect. He's good, he has a lot of promise-- but a need at the major league level (whether it's Ortiz's struggles, or Lowell's hip) won't accelerate his progress.

The All Star Break begins Monday, so How do the Yankees have a 9 game road trip? You may want to recheck your schedule.

//Lowrie to the 60-DL. Its done.//

No, it isn't. It's retroactive.

Nick Johnson? What do people want, MORE injuries?

Bates deserves a shot.. He's four yeas older than Anderson and has been producing; Anderson's a good player but is still finding his legs in Double A. Give him time.

Victor Martinez is the answer. He'll cost a lot but he's a guarantee and this lineup needs one more contant. we cant rely on Lowell anymore. Move Youk to third and let Martinez play first and let him catch once in a while. If Lowell is healthy great, but I dont think it's a given thaty he will be.

Bates has hit under .200 in about 80 plate appearances in AAA. LAst 10 games he has hit about .100

I don't think he is ready for MLB quite yet - but maybe soon.

Nick Johnson or no (and apparently I'm the only one here who thinks the idea's worth considering :) I would like to see a big bat added.

Anyone know if Nomar will be in the lineup tonight for Oakland? Seen the Sox lineup posted but not the A's. Should be nice to see the hand he gets from the fans.

Go get 'em Smotlz. I was on hand for that hideous game in DC on Tuesday when the rain clearly prevented him from getting his first AL win. Time for the team to make it stick this time.

Time to get rid of some extra baggage. Peralta and Martinez from Cleveland. That will take care of third base, and an extra DH / 1B / Catcher

Bates, after a hot start at Paw, is hittless in his last 27 at bats. What does it say about Lugo that he gets passed over tonight (Green at 3b and Youk at 1B) by a guy who hasn't got a hit since Michael Jackso was still alive.

Bates won some Offensive Player of the Month Award for June, but he hit around .180 that month (which is when he was called up to Pawtucket), according to the link from Sox Prospects. So something's off there. Bates is a bright hitter with a clue, and has 20/10 vision. He's older than Anderson, which I think is is the real reason why we're bringing him up instead of Lars. The Sox want a look at him. That's understandable, and makes more sense than a trade. No point developing players if you're not going to give them a shot.

Why doesn't it ever occur to use Big Papi more at first? Yeah, he can boot a ball now and again, but if he played more regularly his fielding would get better, and he seems to hit well when on first. Maybe not being in dugout thinking always about next at bat would be good. And when Lowell comes back, Papi could play first and give Lowell a chance to DH a little here and there.

It just seems so logical to me. We don't need a wiz always at first defensively. We can sub out Papi in the late innings when we have a lead.

oops Smoltz game was in Balt, obviously.

why does anyone want nick johnson? He's really just not that good, and he's always injured.

Just what we need......another slow white guy....

Lowrie went 3-5 this afternoon for Portland.

"Time to get rid of some extra baggage. Peralta and Martinez from Cleveland. That will take care of third base, and an extra DH / 1B / Catcher" Seriously? So we can send Cleveland Buchholz, Bowden, Bard, Tazawa, and Reddick? It would take an enormous haul to get Peralta and Martinez. Not worth it.

"Which two of the following do you give for Johnson: Masterson, Bowden or Delcarmen? Plus, Johnson will want to play every day (which he might until next week when Lowell comes back)."

Um, how about none. An injury-prone, slap-hitter that plays for Washington? Maybe a third-tier prospect. Masterson, Bowden or Delcarmen? i'll pass, thanks.

"Which two of the following do you give for Johnson: Masterson, Bowden or Delcarmen?"

I almost fell out of my chair at this.

Agree with others... Nick Johnson is an injury machine!! Sure, he puts up great stats (when healthy), but there is no reason the Red Sox should/will trade for him.