It seems like it took Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte less time to complete The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 than it has for the Red Sox to complete the trade of Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers.

But at long last, this saga could be coming to an end. Lowell is expected to have his physical this weekend. If he passes, the trade should be finalized. But that is not a given given the issues Lowell has with his right hip and right thumb. The Red Sox would get C/1B/DH Max Ramirez in return.

Ramirez has an .840 OPS and 13 homers in the Venezuelan Winter League.

It cost the United States $15 million for what amounted to parts of 14 states back in 1803. It will cost the Sox $9 million to send Lowell to Texas. The cost of doing business has gone up.