Halladay aside, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, as always, has been engaging in trade talks recently. The Red Sox have multiple needs -- some greater, some lesser -- and Epstein has been quite thorough in past midseason maneuvers. Among his constant objectives: improving the depth on the bench and in the bullpen. David Ortiz's recent resurgence now makes him one of the lesser concerns -- replacing a hitter of his caliber is virtually impossible anyway -- but given the uncertain status surrounding Mike Lowell, the Sox obviously are in the market for a productive offensive player who can settle at either of the corner infield spots. Because the best hitters in the Boston lineup generally are right-handed – Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jason Bay – a lefty bat would be of some preference. (This also would help safeguard against another dip from Ortiz.) The most obvious names include Nick Johnson and the switch-hitting Victor Martinez (pictured), who could be part of the longer-term solution at catcher.