Questions facing the Boston Red Sox entering the season’s second half

The Boston Red Sox will show interest in Roy Halladay, but how far would they be willing to go to acquire him? (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

The Boston Red Sox headed into the All-Star Break leading the American League East, arguably the toughest division in baseball, by three games over their arch-rival, the New York Yankees. This isn’t an admiration, as they have the most pitching depth of any division contender, while their lineup consists of the right combination of power and speed. Yet, despite their success, they have plenty of questions to answer during the second half of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay on the trading block…will Boston show interest?

Halladay, 32, is a throwback of sorts. While other star pitchers of this generation give way to relief after six or seven innings, he is a threat to go the distance on a regular basis. He has three complete games, a shutout, ten wins, and a 2.85 ERA so far this season. He’s been a workhorse, which is nothing new, tossing 123 innings, and has impeccable control, walking only seventeen.

Because of his reputation and his recent play, he is a hot commodity, even more so now that General Manager J.P. Riccardi has said he will listen to offers. Riccardi, considering Halladay is the Blue Jays best player, will command a lot of talent in return.

For some playoff contenders, Halladay would be worth the cost. So, though he has never made the playoffs, his presence along would boost morale. The Red Sox, already stacked pitching wise, still would love to have his services.

They have the talent to get a deal done, but they would be hard-pressed to include center-fielder Jacoby Ellsbury or Jon Lester. Yet, if they can somehow get Riccardi to lower his demands, and willingly send him to a division foe, Halladay would give Boston the best rotation in baseball. Can you imagine if the top of their rotation consisted of Josh Beckett, Lester, and Halladay? Surely, other American League teams couldn’t bear to contemplate this scenario.

The Red Sox don’t need Halladay, but his addition could stick a fork in the New York Yankees, and give them a considerable leg-up over other American League teams. Yet, though Halladay in a Yankees uniform would be heartwrenching, making the trade just to keep him away from New York isn’t reason enough to impulsively acquire.

I think Boston will show interest; General Mananger Theo Epstein usually looks into everything. But, though I think the Yankees will make a huge push, I believe Halladay will end up with the Philadelphia Phillies, since Halladay has said he prefers the National League, and they desperately need a pitcher of his caliber.

Will Mike Lowell’s injury lead to a deadline deal for a bat?

The third baseman’s injury is a mystery, and it is uncertain when–or if–he will return. The Red Sox haven’t missed a beat since he went down, primarily because of slugger David Ortiz’s resurgence. Kevin Youkilis has moved over to his natural position, third base, in his stead, while the combination of Mark Kotsay and Aaron Bates have platooned at first base. Kotsay and Bates have sufficed of late, but Boston, like with the Halladay situation, if the opportunity presented itself, it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade.

The Cleveland Indians’ Victor Martinez, a first baseman and catcher who hits for average and power, might be on the chopping block, given the Indians disappointing first half to the season. He might fit, but at what cost. The Indians, to trade the 30-year old, would ask for a pretty penny in return. The Red Sox take pride in their young talent, so though they have a surplus of arms in the minors, they may balk at the price.

Nick Johnson, the Washington Nationals first baseman and former Yankee, has been linked to Boston in recent weeks, but his price would presumably be steep as well. Yet, the Nationals may be more willing to part ways with Johnson than the Indians with Martinez. Washington would love to acquire Ellsbury or reliever Daniel Bard in return, but like with Halladay and Martinez, the Red Sox may be reluctant to trade their young talent for aging stars.

Who is their shortstop?

The Red Sox have three shortstops, all capable of assuming the starting role. Jed Lowrie, the youngest of the three, is returning soon from injury, and given his stellar play in spurts last season, he could fight Nick Green and Julio Lugo for the starting job.

Green has struggled in the field–he has committed nine errors and has a .936 fielding percentage–and at the plate of late. He started the season strong offensive, but since he hit.321 in May, he’s batted only .207. Unless he starts to hit, the 30-year old’s play-time will drastically diminish.

Lugo has had a difficult career with the Red Sox. He signed a four-year, $36 million dollar contract with the team after the 2006 season, and has, like other post-Nomar Garciaparra shortstops Alex Gonzalez, Edgar Renteria, and Orlando Cabrera, had a tough time acclimating to the atmosphere in Boston and the franchise’s high expectations.

He played miserably his first season, batting a horrid .237. His on-base percentage was equally dreadful–.298– but he managed to drive in 73 runs and steal 33 bases. Nonetheless, he quickly drew criticism, and has since been one of the least favorite Red Sox according to their fan base, who expect perfection.

This year, he’s righted past wrongs and played very well, albeit in a limited role. While Green was on fire, he was on the bench, waiting his turn. When he was designated to the bench, his average was hovering around .300. Because of Green’s play to begin the season, Lugo has only played in 37 games, and has just 107 at-bats at the break. In that time, he’s batted a respectable .284 with a .355 on-base percentage. He’s been notoriously poor in the field, like Green, but given how much the Red Sox have invested in him, barring injury, I think he’ll get the bulk of the playing time.

Because Boston has three shortstops, one could be dealt as part of trade to land a big bat. As a team in first place, it’s good that the only questions that need answering involve adding depth and improving in areas that don’t necessarily need improving.