Completion

The Red Sox announced yesterday that a one-year deal with former Florida Marlins shortstop Alex Gonzalez was reached. The deal, pending a physical within the next forty-eight hours, is said to be worth $3 million. While Gonzalez is not a power threat offensively, his defense is superb and he had a promising year in Florida, reducing his strikeout total while raising his walks, batting average, and on base percentage.

With the addition of Gonzalez, the Red Sox batting order will probably look something like this for the 2006 season:

Crisp CF
Loretta 2B
Ramirez LF
Ortiz DH
Varitek C
Lowell 3B
Nixon RF
Youkilis/Snow 1B
Gonzalez SS

The Red Sox also signed Dustan Mohr to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training last week after the Rockies denied his mutual option for 2006. He is a utility outfielder who will most likely get the most playing time in right field, particularly if Trot Nixon continues to experience pain in his back and hamstring during 2006.

As of this moment, Theo Epstein has said that he plans to wait until Spring Training to talk to Boomer about a possible trade. While the Padres have expressed interest, Epstein has made it clear that he would like David Wells to show up camp. Wells' agen stated that Wells will not hold out, and understands that he is under contract. A likely scenario is that Wells will be used in a trade before the July 31st trade deadline to adjust for any issues that the relatively new Boston Red Sox experience during the 2006 season.

-J