The Right Way

Things are looking right again. Boston's winning, NY's losing, just how it's supposed to be. Beckett is leading the Majors with 11 wins, Ortiz and Manny are producing RBIs, and Papelbon is saving games. Oh, and Wakefield is being bad, but that just means things are normal (kidding -- he does sometimes throw good games. And of course, we know that when he's good, he's very good, and when he's bad...6-1 losses happen).

And here come the trade rumors: The Chicago Sun-Times reported on Sunday that the Red Sox have become the front-runner in the crowded derby of teams trying to acquire left-handed starter Mark Buehrle.

The newspaper also reported that Allard Baird, who is assistant to the general manager for the Red Sox, was on hand for Buehrle's most recent start.

The White Sox have reportedly targeted Red Sox prospects Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie.

The past couple of years, Epstein has been reluctant to trade top prospects. However, as deep as Boston's farm system has become, there's a chance the Red Sox might be more open to dealing a highly rated Minor Leaguer this year.

That would be a great pick up, but there's so much talk about how good the prospects are, it makes me pretty hesitant; we may just be dealing 'em out only to watch 'em get really good.

Updates on the Kids

I am calling the prospects kids, even though they are all probably about my age or older. It's just better that way. How have they all been doing this winter? RedSox.com has provided a nice, short update on a lot of them, and here are a few choice ones:

Arizona Fall League

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF -- The former first-round pick batted .276 with 18 runs scored, three RBIs and seven stolen bases in 25 games for the Peoria Javelinas.

David Pauley, RHP -- Pauley was 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA in seven starts for the Javelinas. He led the team with 26 2/3 innings pitched, but the righty surrendered 36 hits and six walks while striking out 14.

Kyle Jackson, RHP -- Despite posting a 6.23 ERA in 11 games with the Javelinas, Jackson led the AFL with six wins.

Dominican Winter League

Brandon Moss, OF -- The Double-A Eastern League playoff hero batted .228 with five homers, 16 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 29 games for the Cibaenas. He did not participate in the playoffs.

Wily Mo Pena, OF -- After a subpar semifinal series in which he hit .091 with four RBIs and one run scored in 14 games, Pena bounced back with a solid showing in the Championship Series. He batted .269 with five runs scored and two RBIs in seven games for the Aguilas Cibaenas. The big leaguer was 1-for-8 in two regular-season games.

Some are good, some are not terrific, but nothing really bad. Hopefully we're in for a season of young guys stepping it up.