It's interesting to me that someone would mention saying goodbye to Mike Lowell. For I have been thinking, perhaps too much, regarding the acquisition of Mr. Pena.

My friend Bob brought to my attention a far fetched idea that may make some sense.

Is the Pena deal part of a much larger deal to move Manny Ramirez?

The Sox are surely loading up on a lot of outfielders. Dustan Mohr, Juan Gonzalez, Wily Mo Pena and let's not forget Canadian superhero Adam Stern.

Not all of these guys can play.

The Sox must be worried about Trot's health. With his back problem, he has not traveled with the team this spring and hasn't faced lefties - both signs a platoon is necessary.

Pena could fill that role, surely. And Dustan Mohr has been red hot this spring.

Mohr has been recently scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies. They too are in need of some outfield depth.

But perhaps the Sox will not be too quick to pull a trigger with on a deal with the Phillies.

Another opportunity may present itself. How badly do the Nationals want to move Alfonzo Soriano?

While Bob may think that the Sox are revisiting the idea of moving Manny, I don't see that happening.

The Mets do love Manny and Soriano. The Nationals would never allow both Soriano and Ramirez to end up on a division rivals staff.

But acquiring Soriano by giving up Pena would certainly open the door for some discussions with the Mets.

The Sox need help at the corners and perhaps a backup outfielder.

A Soriano for David Wright deal would be monumental, but that is not exactly realistic. However, if one were to add say Mike Lowell to the mix, then conversations could in fact start. Let's not forget that the Red Sox still have an abundance of starting pitchers. The Mets and the Nationals need pitching.

Still the Sox would have to take on some of Lowell's contract; at $9 million he is not exactly a steal. The Mets would already be adding $10 million to the team's salary with Soriano's contract, but they could afford it.

None of this is out of the realm of possibility. The first order of business is to get Soriano of course.

All this speculation and the Sox could simply keep Pena. I love spring!

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