Ron Johnson to be added to Boston coaching staff

According to multiple sources, Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson will be joining the Major League coaching staff in Boston. The exact position he will fill has yet to be determined. Johnson first joined the Red Sox organization in 2000 as the manager of the Class-A Sarasota Red Sox in the Florida State League after eight seasons managing in the Kansas City organization. Johnson would manage the team for two seasons before moving to the Double-A level for the next three, managing the Trenton Thunder / Portland Sea Dogs from 2002 through 2004.

In 2005, Johnson took over the Pawtucket Red Sox managerial position from Buddy Bailey, guiding the team to a 357-359 record over the course of the next five seasons. Johnson's Paw Sox twice finished second in the International League's Northern Division, including setting a franchise record for wins in 2008 by going 85-58. Over the course of his 17-year managerial career in the Royals and Red Sox systems, Johnson's teams have gone 1173-1202.

Johnson, 53, also played in parts of three seasons in the Major Leagues, putting up .261/.358/.304 numbers in 55 plate appearances with Kansas City and Montreal from 1982 through 1984. He also owns a career minor league line of .289/.333/.434 with in parts of eight seasons played.

Red Sox set 40-man roster

The Boston Red Sox yesterday set their 40-man roster in accordance with the midnight Friday deadline, making the claim of Robert Manuel the team's only change. The 40-man roster now stands at 32 players and is as follows:

Pitchers: Daniel Bard, Josh Beckett, Michael Bowden, Clay Buchholz, Manny Delcarmen, Felix Doubront, Jon Lester, Robert Manuel, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Jonathan Papelbon, Ramon Ramirez, Dustin Richardson, Junichi Tazawa and Tim Wakefield

Catchers: Dusty Brown, Victor Martinez, Jason Varitek and Mark Wagner

Infielders: Aaron Bates, Jose Iglesias, Casey Kotchman, Mike Lowell, Jed Lowrie, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis

Outfielders: Brian Anderson, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeremy Hermida and Josh Reddick

Designated hitter: David Ortiz

The following players that were left unprotected are now eligible to be selected in the Rule 5 draft on Decemeber 10:

Juan Apodaca, Anatanaer Batista, Travis Beazley, Bubba Bell, Ronald Bermudez, Randor Bierd, Jason Blackey, Zach Borowiak, Cesar Cabral, Yeiper Castillo, Chih-Hsien Chiang, Robert Coello, Bryce Cox, Zach Daeges, Sean Danielson, Mitch Dening, Andrew Dobies, Reid Engel, Roberto Feliz, Kyle Fernandes, Kason Gabbard, Miguel Gonzalez, Matt Goodson, Tommy Hottovy, Jorge Jimenez, Kris Johnson, Mike Jones, Ryan Khoury, TJ Large, Will Latimer, Ryne Lawson, Richie Lentz, Leandro Marin, Miguel Marquez, Blake Maxwell, Jeff Natale, Yamaico Navarro, John Otness, Josh Papelbon, Pedro Perez, Chad Rhoades, Jason Rice, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Jon Still, Felix Ventura, Armando Zerpa

Sox claim RHP Robert Manuel off waivers

According to ESPN.com, the Boston Red Sox have claimed right-handed pitcher Robert Manuel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners.

Manuel was originally signed as undrafted free agent by the New York Mets out of Sam Houston State in 2005. He was traded by the Mets to the Cincinati Reds in 2006 for Dave Williams. After spending parts of four seasons in the Reds' minor league system, he was traded to Seattle for Wladimir Balentien on June 29, 2009.

In five minor league seasons, the 26-year-old has compiled a 24-17 record with a 2.89 ERA in 170 games pitched, including 24 starts. He has struck out 339 batters in 368.1 innings, posting a 5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Solar Sox end season with fourth straight loss

11/20 Cup of Coffee: Mesa ended the season with its fourth straight loss, dropping a 8-1 decision to the Peoria Saguaros. The loss saw the Solar Sox finish last in the Arizona Fall League's Eastern Division with 13 wins, 18 losses and a tie.

The Saguaros jumped off to an early lead scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Padre prospect Lance Zawadzki singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Matt McBride (CLE) base hit. There was no further scoring until the sixth inning, when Zawadzki homered off Mesa reliever Tim Kiely (LAA). In the seventh, the Saguaros broke the game open scoring six times. The runs came as a result of three walks, an error and three doubles off Mesa's Marco Albano (LAA).

The Solar Sox scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the ninth. Steve Singleton (MIN) doubled and advanced to third on an error by Saguaro shortstop Zawadzki. He scored when Casey Kelly grounded into a force out.

Two Sox prospects took part in the game. Ryan Kalish went 1 for 4 and had a stolen base. He ended the fall campaign with a .301 batting average. Kelly went 0 for 4 with a RBI. His batting average for the fall season was .171.

Sox release Michael Lennox, Wang-Yi Lin, Juan Bonifacio, and Roberto Feliz

According to Baseball America's minor league transactions, the Red Sox have released pitchers Michael Lennox and Wang-Yi Lin and outfielders Juan Bonifacio and Roberto Feliz.

Lennox (pictured) was signed in August of 2006 as an international free agent out of Australia. In two seasons with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, he appeared in 19 games, all out of the bullpen, and compiled ERAs of 3.94 in 2008 and 3.47 in 2009.

Lin was originally signed out of Taiwan as an international free agent in July of 2005. He had an impressive American debut in 2006 with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, posting a 1.31 ERA in 20.2 innings pitched. He missed all of 2007 with an elbow injury, coming back in 2008 with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox to post a 4.63 ERA in 11 games (9 starts). The next two seasons, Lin appeared in only four games in Lowell without much success.

Bonifacio was signed out of the Dominican Republic in July of 2006 as an international free agent. He spent all of the next two seasons with the Dominican Summer League Red Sox, putting up an OPS of .727 in 2007 and .845 in 2008. In 2009, he made his American debut in the Gulf Coast League, struggling to a .208 average in 30 games.

Feliz was originally signed out of the Dominican Republic in November of 2005, spending his first two seasons with the Dominican Summer League team, hitting 11 home runs and posting 79 RBI across the two seasons. He made his American debut in the Gulf Coast League in 2008, showing good power with 7 home runs in only 142 at-bats. With Lowell in 2009, he hit a home run on opening day, but struggled to a .175 average in 13 games before being placed on the restricted list late in the season.

Solar Sox continue slide, fall to Scorpions

11/19 Cup of Coffee: The Solar Sox dropped their third straight contest 7-5 to Scottsdale, despite pounding out 11 hits.

Mesa got out to an early 1-0 lead once again as Steve Singleton (MIN) laced an RBI single in the first, but Scottsdale answered right back when Jose Tabatha (PIT) tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the bottom half of the inning. Chris Parmelee's (MIN) RBI double in the top of the third gave Mesa a 2-1 advantage. However, Mesa would lose the lead in the bottom half of the inning when the Scorpions staged a two-out rally, capped by Brandon Crawford's (SFG) 2-RBI single and Tuffy Gosewisch's (PHI) 2-RBI double.

The Solar Sox would cut the lead in the top of the sixth as Luis Exposito drove in Singleton on a ground out. But Mesa would give the run back in the bottom half of the inning as Troy Hanzawa (PHI) scored on a throwing error by Parmelee. The Solar Sox scored two runs in the top of the eighth, thanks to an RBI double by P.J. Phillips (LAA) and an RBI single by Ryan Mount (LAA), but once again, the Scorpions added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning on Chase d'Arnaud's (PIT) RBI single to seal the victory.

Exposito was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Jose Iglesias was 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts. Dustin Richardson pitched the sixth inning, allowing 1 run on 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out 2. The Solar Sox wrap up the AFL season this afternoon at 2:35 EST against the Peoria Saguaros.

Mesa blown out again by Surprise

11/18 Cup of Coffee: It was the same old story for Mesa on Tuesday, as the team jumped out to a first-inning lead but quickly gave it up and went on to lose big, this time by a 9-2 score to the Surprise Rafters.

The early Solar Sox lead came courtesy of three consecutive one-out singles by Starlin Castro (CHC), David Cooper (TOR), and Ryan Kalish, the last of which drove in the run to make it 1-0. Kalish promptly stole second base, his fifth theft of the AFL season, to put runners at second and third with two outs, but P. J. Phillips (LAA) grounded out to end the threat. Surprise took a lead of its own just half an inning later. Mike Moustakas (KC) opened the inning by reaching on a Casey Kelley error and Daryl Jones (STL) reached on a fielder's choice grounder that yielded no outs. One out later, Ruben Tejada (NYM) doubled and Jarrod Dyson (KC) singled, driving in all three runs against Mesa starter Andrew Cashner (CHC).

The Rafters would tack on two more runs in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run by Nick Evans (NYM), but the game would be put out of reach in the seventh. After having just retired the side in order in the top of the sixth, Richie Lentz allowed a lead-off double to Dyson. After striking out Daniel Descalso (STL), Colin Curtis (NYY) lined a two-run home run to right to make the score 7-1. Another strikeout and a walk later, the home-run bug again bit Lentz, as Moustakas hit his fifth of the season to make it 9-1. Mesa would get one back in the bottom of the inning when Kelley was doubled home by Michael Brenly (CHC), but it was too little, too late.

Kalish, who played right field in this one, ended up 1 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and a steal, while third baseman Kelley was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts. Lentz ultimately struck out 3 in his 1.2 innings, but gave up 4 runs on 3 hits (2 home runs) and a walk. Chris Province, who relieved Lentz with two outs in the seventh, pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with a strikeout. Mesa travels to Scottsdale to take on the Scorpions tonight at 8:35 EST.

George Kottaras released

With the deadline to add players to the 40-man roster and protect them from the Rule 5 Draft rapidly approaching, the Red Sox today made another move to clear space, releasing catcher George Kottaras. Kottaras, 26, appeared in 45 games with Boston in 2009, serving primarily as the early-season back-up to Jason Varitek and the personal catcher for Tim Wakefield. He was placed on the disabled list on August 1 to make room on the active roster for Victor Martinez and was called up again when rosters expanded in September, but played sparingly after that. On the season, Kottaras compiled a .237/.308/.387 line in 104 major league plate appearances. Of his 22 hits in 2009, more than half went for extra bases (11 doubles, 1 home run).

Originally a twentieth-round pick in 2002 by San Diego, Kottaras came to the Red Sox organization in a trade for David Wells in August, 2006. He hit 22 home runs in 2008 for Pawtucket, when he also drove in 65 runs and led the team with 64 walks. Over the course of his seven minor league seasons within the Padres and Red Sox systems, Kottaras hit a combined .269/.367/.444 with 134 doubles and 66 home runs in 2274 plate appearances.

November 18 update: Kottaras asked for his release so he could pursue opportunities with other teams, and the Red Sox obliged.

40-Man Roster deadline looming

Look for the Red Sox to make a few roster moves on Friday to protect players from selection in the 2009 Rule 5 Draft. Per the Major League Rules, eligible players must be added to their teams’ respective 40-man rosters by close-of-business on November 20 in order to be protected from selection in the Rule 5 Draft, which is scheduled to take place on December 10. As of today, our sources and calculations indicate that the following players in the Boston system will be eligible to be selected if they are not added to the 40-man roster on or before November 20:

Juan Apodaca, Anatanaer Batista, Travis Beazley, Bubba Bell, Ronald Bermudez, Randor Bierd, Jason Blackey, Zach Borowiak, Cesar Cabral, Yeiper Castillo, Chih-Hsien Chiang, Robert Coello, Bryce Cox, Zach Daeges, Sean Danielson, Mitch Dening, Andrew Dobies, Reid Engel, Roberto Feliz, Kyle Fernandes, Kason Gabbard, Miguel Gonzalez, Matt Goodson, Tommy Hottovy, Jorge Jimenez, Kris Johnson, Mike Jones, Ryan Khoury, TJ Large, Will Latimer, Ryne Lawson, Richie Lentz, Leandro Marin, Miguel Marquez, Blake Maxwell, Jeff Natale, Yamaico Navarro, John Otness, Josh Papelbon, Pedro Perez, Chad Rhoades, Jason Rice, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Jon Still, Felix Ventura, Armando Zerpa

Boston’s 40-man roster presently has thirty three players on it (including potential free agent Alex Gonzalez), leaving seven to eight open roster spots. Don’t expect all those spots to get filled – the Sox always leave a lot of breathing room for upcoming off-season acquisitions. Look for three or four players to be added on November 20. The primary candidates are shortstop Yamaico Navarro (pictured), pitcher Richie Lentz, and third baseman Jorge Jimenez. Each of these players ended the 2009 season in Double-A Portland, and each could potentially see some playing time with Boston in 2010, especially if they're added to the 40-man this off-season.

Navarro, the twelfth-ranked prospect in the system by SoxProspects.com, missed the first two months of the 2009 season with a hand injury. He then played in 23 games at High-A Salem, hitting .319/.373/.543, before earning a promotion to Portland in late July. The 22-year-old struggled offensively in 39 games for the Sea Dogs, hitting just .185/.270/.304. While Navarro has the potential to be a starting infielder at the major league level down the line, he currently projects more as a long-term reliable bench option. He’s also a candidate to slide over to third base in 2010 to make room for Jose Iglesias. In brief playing time this winter for Licey in the Dominican Winter League, Navarro is hitting .125 in six games.

Lentz, 25, is another player who struggled in 2009, putting up a 6.75 ERA for the Sea Dogs in 29 appearances out of the bullpen. He also struggled with control, walking almost a batter an inning, but that has largely been attributed to a shoulder injury that lingered throughout the season. All that being said, the flame-throwing righthander leads the organization with 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings over the last three seasons. He has also bounced back nicely this fall, going 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA, 13 strikeouts, and just 2 walks in 13.2 innings for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League. He’s presently the forty-fifth-ranked prospect in the system by SoxProspects.com.

Jimenez has been voted the SoxProspects.com All Star at third base for three years running. He was also named the Sea Dogs’ Most Valuable Player in 2009 after a year in which he hit .289/.366/.424 with 13 home runs. Look for the 25-year-old to compete for the starting third base spot for Pawtucket in 2010. While Jimenez has shown success offensively at nearly every level since being drafted in the fifteenth round in 2006, his defense has been called into question, leaving his potential as a major league backup corner infielder in doubt. Additionally, until he picks up a little more power, his bat doesn’t profile as a starting major league third baseman. In the end, the Sox may not want to risk losing him in the Rule 5 Draft, so he’s a strong candidate for protection this year. Jimenez, the twenty-eighth-ranked prospect in the system by SoxProspects.com, is presently playing for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican Winter League, which just got underway on Thursday.

Two other logical possibilities for protection are outfielder Zach Daeges and pitcher Jason Rice. Daeges, a sixth-round pick in 2006, missed most of the 2009 season with an ankle injury, but put up a .307/.412/.454 line for Portland in 2008. Rice, selected by Boston in the Triple-A phase of the 2008 Rule 5 Draft, impressed in 2009, putting up a 2.44 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP with 94 strikeouts in 70 innings for High-A Salem. The 23-year-old righty gets his fastball up to the mid-90s. Because injured fourth outfielders and high-velocity relievers are among the prototypical Rule 5 picks, both players could be in danger of selection if left unprotected this off-season.

Other than the five players discussed above, it seems unlikely that any of the other players in the system will be protected this year, but one never knows, as the Sox have pulled a few surprises in recent off-seasons. Potentially unprotected Sox players who other teams may be willing to take a flyer on include pitchers Randor Bierd, Kason Gabbard, TJ Large, Bryce Cox, Kris Johnson, and Armando Zerpa, and outfielder Bubba Bell. Ultimately, we’ll get to see who the Sox opt to protect on Friday.

Solar Sox drubbed by Desert Dogs 11-1

The Mesa Solar Sox were quieted by a 15-hit attack and superb pitching from the Phoenix Desert Dogs, falling 11-1 on Monday afternoon.

Mesa would jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, as Bryan Peterson (FLA) reached on an error and scored on Chris Parmelee's (MIN) RBI single. Phoenix would answer back in the top of the third off of Mesa starter Randor Bierd. Darin Mastroianni (TOR) led off the inning with a single and scored on Danny Espinosa's (WAS) RBI triple, knotting the score at 1-1. The Desert Dogs then turned the game into a blowout in the top of the fourth as Bierd got two quick outs, but would not make it out of the inning. Adam Loewen (TOR) and Mastroianni hit consecutive singles, Matt Angle (BAL) walked and Espinoza drove in two with an RBI single. Corey Brown (OAK) continued the hit parade with a 2-RBI double, Grant Desme (OAK) walked, and Josh Bell (BAL) hit a line-drive three-run home run to cap the scoring. The seven-run inning put the Desert Dogs up 8-1.

Bierd ended up going 3.2 innings and picking up the loss, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4. Phoenix added three more runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Loewen and Angle and a sacrifice fly by Espinoza.

Casey Kelly played third base and went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts, while Ryan Kalish went 1 for 4 with a double, Luis Exposito went 2 for 3 with a double, and Jose Iglesias went 0 for 4. The Solar Sox look to bounce back this afternoon as they face the Surprise Rafters at 2:35 EST.

Caribbean Roundup: November 9-November 15

Here's how Boston's prospects fared over the past week in the Caribbean:

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

Felix Doubront (Navegantes del Magallanes) made one start on November 14 against Zulia, going 4.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 1.

Enrique Gonzalez (Tiburones de La Guaira, pictured) started November 13, also against Zulia, going 7.0 innings to pick up the win, allowing 4 hits, 1 run and 2 walks.

Yeiper Castillo (Aguilas del Zulia) made two appearances out of the bullpen, pitching 1.1 innings allowing 3 hits and 3 runs.

Juan Apodaca (Aguilas del Zulia, pictured) went 0 for 3 in his lone appearance this week.

Mexican Pacific League

Robert Coello (Algodoneros de Guasave) made the start on November 12, picking up the win by going 5.2 innings, allowing no runs on 3 hits while striking out 3 and walking 3.

Angel Chavez (Caneros de los Mochis) appeared in five games, going 2 for 17 with 3 RBI.

Colombian Winter League

Reynaldo Rodriguez (Leones de Monteria) appeared in four games, going 1 for 15

Puerto Rican Winter League

Aaron Bates (Caguas) went 1 for 8 in three games.

Jorge Jimenez (Mayaguez) was 2 for 7 with a home run, a run scored and 2 RBI in 2 games.

Iggy Suarez (Ponce) went 1 for 5 with an RBI in three games.

Jose Vaquedano (Ponce) made two relief appearances, going 0.2 innings, allowing two walks and recording a strikeout.

Player of the Week: Enrique Gonzalez, who had a sparkling start against Zulia in which he picked up the win while going 7.0 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits.

Solar Sox down Javelinas 4-2

11/15 Cup of Coffee: After dropping a pair of games to Phoenix, Mesa got back on track Saturday with a 4-2 win over the Peoria Javelinas. Meanwhile Phoenix, behind Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg, blanked the Saguaros 1-0 to narrow its magic number to one for clinching the Eastern Division crown. With four games remaining, the Desert Dogs hold a 3.5 game lead over the Solar Sox.

Mesa took an early lead in this game, scoring a single run in the second on a Chris Parmelee (MIN) home run. However, the Solar Sox gave it right back in the bottom half of the inning, when Tiger prospect Cale Iorg hit a two-run home run off Mesa starter Tommy Mendoza (LAA).

Mesa regained the lead for good in the third, scoring three times. Starlin Castro (CHC) led off the inning with a double and scored on a Parmelee double. Josh Vitters (CHC) then hit a two-run home run off Javelina starter Nick Hill (SEA) to complete the Solar Sox scoring.

The game then became a pitcher's battle, with neither team scoring over the final six innings. Dustin Richardson, credited with a hold, entered the game in the eighth and pitched a scoreless frame. He allowed 2 walks while striking out 2 Javelina batters. Minnesota prospect Alex Burnett earned his third save of the fall campaign, retiring the Javelinas in order in the ninth.

Luis Exposito went 2 for 5 in the game and is now hitting .295 with an OPS of .750. The Solar Sox's next game is Monday with a 2:35 pm EST start against Phoenix.

Kalish scores twice in Mesa loss

11/14 Cup of Coffee: With less than a week remaining in the schedule, Phoenix extended its lead over Mesa to 3.5 games with a 9-7 come-from-behind win on Friday. The team committed three errors, which allowed three unearned runs to score in the game.

The Solar Sox struck first, when Marlins prospect Bryan Peterson led off the game with a triple and scored on a Rene Tosoni (MIN) single. The Desert Dogs answered back with three runs in their half of the first. After giving up two walks and an infield single to load the bases, Mesa starter Andrew Miller (FLA) watched one run score on a passed ball, allowed another on a Josh Bell (LAD) single, and third on Nevin Ashley's (TB) ground out.

In the second, the Solar Sox tied the score, scoring twice on singles by Ryan Kalish, Steve Singleton (MIN), Casey Kelly, and Peterson. Phoenix answered with a single run in its half of the inning to regain the lead. In the third, Mesa scored its final four runs of the game. After singles by Chris Parmelee (MIN) and Kalish, Singleton hit a three-run homer. With two out, Peterson tripled for the second time in the game and scored on a Jose Iglesias single. The Desert Dogs scored once in the bottom of the inning, when Bell reached base on a Kelly error and scored on a Brad Emaus (TOR) double.

Phoenix tied the score in the fourth on a two-run home run by Oakland prospect Brad Desme. The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth. Chris Province, who had retired the Desert Dogs in order in the seventh, gave up a single to Darin Mastroianni (TOR) followed by a home run to Jemile Weeks (OAK). Reliever Eddie Gamboa (BAL) retired the Solar Sox in order in the ninth to record the save.

Kalish went 2 for 3 with a walk and scored 2 runs. Iglesias went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Kelly, playing third, went 1 for 4 with a RBI. Province, in his 2 innings of work, allowed 2 runs on 2 hits. The Solar Sox play an 8:35 pm EST game today against the Peoria Javelinas.

Player of the Night: Ryan Kalish, who had 2 hits, a walk, and scored 2 runs.

Phoenix ends Mesa's winning streak

11/13 Cup of Coffee: Mesa had its six game winning streak halted, as Phoenix downed the Solar Sox 11-5.

The Desert Dogs took the lead in the top of the first inning, scoring twice on a two-run homer by Oakland prospect Corey Brown. The Solar Sox cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning, when Starlin Castro (CHC) doubled and scored on a Josh Vitters (CHC) single. In the bottom of the second, Mesa scored three times to extend its lead. With one out, Luis Exposito, Greg Burns (FLA) and Jose Iglesias all singled, loading the bases. Exposito scored on an error by Desert Dog outfielder and Blue Jay prospect Adam Loewen. Castro then drove in Burns with an infield single. After Iglesias was out on a force play at home, Vitters was hit by a pitch, scoring the third run of the inning.

The Solar Sox held the lead until the fifth inning, when Phoenix scored three runs off of Angel prospect Jeremy Haynes. The three runs scored courtesy off three walks, two wild pitches, a single and a sacrifice fly. Exposito had two passed balls in the inning. The Desert Dogs added another run in the sixth off Tim Kiely (LAA). He allowed two walks and a run-scoring single to Brown. Richie Lentz came into the game in the seventh and allowed two runs on a single by Brad Emaus (TOR), a triple to Tampa Bay prospect Nevin Ashley, and a single to Loewen.

The Solar Sox scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Ryan Kalish singled to right and scored on a PJ Phillips (LAA) double. The Desert Dogs scored three more runs in the eighth on four straight singles to close out the game's scoring.

Kalish and Exposito each went 1 for 4 with a run scored and a walk. Iglesias went 2 for 4 with a double. Lentz, in his one inning of work, gave up 2 runs on 3 hits. The Solar Sox play Phoenix again this afternoon at 2:35 EST.

Sox outright Rule 5 pick Gonzalez to Pawtucket

Boston cleared up another spot on its 40-man roster earlier this week by outrighting righthander Miguel Gonzalez to Pawtucket. Gonzalez, 25, was selected from the Angels in the 2008 Rule 5 Draft. The pitcher then injured his arm in spring training, ultimately resulting in March 2009 Tommy John Surgery. He spent the entire 2009 season on Boston's 60-day disabled list. Pursuant to Major League Rule 6, the Red Sox were required to offer Gonzalez back to Los Angeles for half of the Rule 5 posting fee ($25,000) before they could outright him to Pawtucket, as he did not spend the requisite time on the active roster in 2009. The Angels apparently did not bite, ultimately allowing the Sox to assign him to Pawtucket free of any roster restrictions.

Gonzalez throws a decent low-90s fastball with excellent command, as well as a slider and a change-up. He also missed all of the 2008 season with a knee injury, but impressed in the Mexican Pacific League in the 2008-2009 off-season. Look for him to move slowly through the system in 2010, perhaps starting in Extended Spring Training followed by a promotion to Portland or Pawtucket.

Iglesias, Solar Sox walk off with sixth straight win

Jose Iglesias's two-out walk-off single propelled the Mesa Solar Sox to victory over the Surprise Rafters, 9-8.

Surprise jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning on an Ike Davis (NYM) 2-RBI double, and tacked on two more in the top of the third on Davis's two-run home-run. Mesa would get on the board in the bottom half of the third when Iglesias led off the inning with a single and came around to score on Hank Conger's (LAA) sacrifice fly.

Iglesias again started a rally in the bottom of the fifth, as he led off the inning with a walk and promptly stole second base, scoring on Rene Tosoni's (MIN) RBI triple. David Cooper (TOR) knocked Tosoni in with an RBI double, Conger walked, and Ryan Kalish capped the scoring by hitting a three-run home-run. The five-run outburst gave the Solar Sox a 6-4 lead. Mesa would tack on two more runs in the bottom of the seventh as Josh Vitters (CHC) and Iglesias both laced RBI singles, making the score 8-4.

Dustin Richardson came in to pitch the top of the eighth but had a rough outing as Doug Hogan (TEX) hit a two-run home-run, one of three Rafter hits in the inning. An inning later, Brandon Laird's (NYY) two-run home-run knotted the score at 8-8 in the top of the ninth, but the Mesa Red Sox contingent was not about to let this game slip away. Kalish opened the bottom half of the inning with a walk, then Casey Kelly singled, moving Kalish into scoring position. Iglesias eventually hit a two-out single that scored Kalish with the winning run.

Iglesias was 4 for 4 with 2 runs scored, a double, and 2 RBI as the Mesa shortstop, and Kelly was 2 for 5 while playing third base. Kalish was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Richardson pitched 1.0 inning, allowing 3 hits (1 home run) and 2 runs, striking out 1 and walking 1, bring his ERA to 6.52. Mesa plays the division-leading Phoenix Desert Dogs tonight at 8:35 EST.

Player of the Night: Jose Iglesias, who was a thorn in the Rafters' side, going 4 for 4 with 2 runs scored, a double, 2 RBI, a stolen base, and a walk-off RBI single to give the Solar Sox the victory.

Varitek picks up 2010 option

Jason Varitek will be returning for his fourteenth season in a Boston uniform, after picking up his $3 million player option for 2010. Varitek will be serving as the back-up catcher to Victor Martinez, who took over starting duties upon his arrival from Cleveland. The Red Sox declined Varitek's $5 million team option on Monday.

Q&A with Craig Shipley

I recently had the opportunity to exchange some questions and answers with Craig Shipley, Red Sox Senior Vice President/International Scouting. A veteran of eleven seasons as a major league infielder, Shipley became the second native Australian to play in the majors when he made his major league debut with the Dodgers in 1986. He went on to play for the Mets, Padres, Astros, and Angels, hitting .271 in 582 career games. Shipley began his baseball operations career as an infield and base running coordinator for the Montreal Expos in 2000. He later served as a professional scout for the San Diego Padres, and then joined the Red Sox organization on December 7, 2002. He has been the head of Boston's international scouting department since 2006m and the Sox have brought aboard a slew of international talent under his watch, including Daisuke Matsuzaka, Hideki Okajima, Stolmy Pimentel, Michael Almanzar, Junichi Tazawa, and most recently Jose Iglesias. Shipley is also a veteran of the College World Series, having played for the University of Alabama club that lost to Roger Clemens and the Texas Longhorns in the 1983 championship game. Many thanks to Craig for taking the time to answer our questions.

Mike Andrews: As the Senior Vice President/International Scouting, can you briefly describe to us what your job entails? I'm guessing you rack up a lot of frequent flyer miles.
Craig Shipley: My responsibilities are to oversee all aspects of the department including scouting, administration, and budget. I have daily interaction with our Latin, Pacific Rim, and European coordinators, and spend significant time on the road with the country supervisors and our area scouts. My year is usually spent from November to June scouting Latin America, July to October in and out of Asia, with Europe mixed in when necessary throughout the year.

MA: In recent years, the Red Sox have signed players out of Brazil, Aruba, the Netherlands, Germany, Curacao, and Cook Islands Maori. How does the international scouting department identify talent from non-traditional baseball countries, and how does the difference in baseball culture affect the scouting and negotiation process with players from such areas? For example, just how appealing is a deal with the Boston Red Sox to a player from Brazil?
CS: The evaluating process is very similar wherever we go. Our scouts look for projectable players following the protocols we have in place. In the case of Brazil, Fernando Tamayo made the initial contacts, then he and Mike Lord went down on an extended trip early in 2009. We always make contact in developing markets before we go in and usually come away with one solid contact person for future trips. Negotiation is the same in Latin countries - meaning we deal with an agent or buscon and in some cases both. Japan, Korea, and Taiwan all have agreements with Major League Baseball - when engaging a player in these countries the agreement protocols have to be followed. In the case of Taiwan and Korea, military obligations make the negotiation process a little different from the rest of the world.

The Red Sox brand is very visible in all parts of the baseball playing world. How appealing we are to a player depends on many factors, but in most cases the determining factor to where a player signs is the money.

Note: the Moanaroa brothers grew up in Australia. While their mother is from the Cook Islands and their father is from New Zealand, they learned to play in Australia

MA: Jason McLeod recently commented that "ascertaining the makeup of a player is one of the hardest things - if not the hardest thing - that we do as scouts." What steps does the international scouting department take to get to know the highly-regarded international amateurs, such as Jose Vinicio, before offering them big bonuses?
CS: Jason and I have discussed this many times, it’s the hardest thing to determine. I think that experienced evaluators usually have the best chance of determining “makeup.” There are so many components to a good baseball personality. The fundamental necessities for me are a great love for the game and a burning desire to play in the major leagues. All players will face adversity, how they handle it determines to a large degree their chances of getting to the majors. If they don’t have the aforementioned necessities as part of their “makeup”, the chances of them giving up the pursuit when they face adversity are exponentially greater.

To determine the personality of a player, we spend as much time as possible in one-on-one interaction, we also watch carefully from a distance. How the player interacts with teammates and coaches when we are not involved in the interaction, as well as how he reacts to circumstances on and off the field, are factored. Determining a player's personality should ultimately fall on the identifying scout, and in that regard we place a tremendous emphasis on the scout knowing the payer he is recommending. In most cases the international cross checker is able to spend a lot more time around players than a domestic cross checker, enabling us to get more than one scout involved in the “makeup” process.

MA: I've noticed a trend of the Sox signing international players in pairs - Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima, Boss Moanaroa and Moko Moanaroa, Terumasa Matsuo and Hayato Doue, Xander and Jair Bogaerts, and Chih-Hsien Chiang and Chih-Hsiang Huang. Is this an intentional strategy to provide for a more comfortable transition to the States, or is it simply a coincidence?
CS: Okajima's signing was independent of Daisuke’s. Other than that, in some cases it’s a coincidence, and in some it's by design. Having a player you know when entering a foreign environment can only help.

MA: To what extent do you stay involved with the international players after they have signed?
CS: I am heavily involved in their placement through the lower levels of our system, but once they’re established in our system and begin moving up, the need for me to be involved is much less. I follow the development of all the players we sign on a daily basis.

MA: All early reports have raved about Jose Igelesias' defense. Can you discuss your take on his present and potential offensive abilities?
CS: Cuba does a lot of things very well when developing players. One that stands out is allowing a player to be himself while teaching important fundamentals. Jose left Cuba with fundamental components that should allow him to be a good hitter. Now he’s in an environment with a lot more structure, most of it foreign to him, but he’s very intelligent and I envision him adapting well. That said, his development will take time. His offensive ability will ultimately be determined by several factors, including strike zone management and his understanding of his own swing.

MA: Oscar Perez is another player that has drawn excellent defensive reviews. What are your thoughts on his potential?
CS: Oscar is progressing nicely. He has a great personality and desire to work. His defensive skills are continually improving, along with his approach at the plate. I saw him in the Instructional League, and last week in Venezuela. He looked good behind the plate with improving feet, exchange, and arm strength.

MA: The Sox recently signed a couple of Dominican prospects that the fan base doesn't know a whole lot about. What can you tell us about Raul and Mario Alcantara?
CS: Both are projectable righties who fit the mold of what we look for in starting pitchers. They will both pitch in the DSL in 2010.

MA: In a similar vein, what can your share with us regarding Jair and Xander Bogaerts?
CS: Jair is very strong - he is crude behind the plate with very strong hands and raw power. I envision Rob Leary being able to impact him quickly in regards to his receiving. Xander is very athletic and projectable. He has potential on both sides of the ball. Both of these guys love to play.

MA: You have signed three players out of Europe since 2007 - Raoell Kortstam, Jennel Hudson, and Swen Huijer, and were reportedly in on Max Kepler, the top European prospect in 2009. How far along is the amateur talent in Europe compared to other areas of the world with longer baseball traditions?
CS: Select countries in Europe, including Germany and Holland, actually have a long history of playing the game. The baseball communities in these countries are very passionate. The overall talent pool is developing, but like most countries or regions, the amount of talent is dictated by the number of participants. The pool of participants is growing, and the instruction is fair-to-good, ultimately giving the overall talent there the tools to improve.

Bierd, Solar Sox scale Rafters for fifth straight victory

The Mesa Solar Sox continued their ascent in the AFL Eastern Division standings, winning their fifth straight game by a 6-4 score over the Surprise Rafters. The victory places Mesa only 1.5 games back of division leader Phoenix.

The Solar Sox wasted no time getting on the board, as Bryan Peterson (FLA) hit the third pitch of the game for a lead-off home run. The Rafters would answer back in the bottom of the first off of Mesa starter Randor Bierd. Back-to-back hits by Jarrod Dyson (KCR) and Daniel Descalso (STL) put runners on second and third for Brandon Laird (NYY), whose groundout knocked in Dyson to knot the score at 1-1.

Mesa would explode for five runs in the top of the fourth to give the team an advantage it would never relinquish. Matt Dominguez (FLA) lead off the inning with a double and was replaced by pinch runner Steve Singleton (MIN). P.J. Phillips (LAA) was the next to reach when Laird muffed a throw from third baseman Mike Moustakas (KCR), allowing Singleton to score. Michael Brenly (CHC) then knocked a single off of pitcher Mike Parisi (STL), and Ryan Mount (LAA) followed with a single that deflected off of second baseman Descalso which scored Brenly for Mesa's third run. Mount promptly stole second and Greg Burns (FLA) walked, which allowed Peterson to clear the bases on his sixth double of the AFL season and give the Solar Sox a commanding 6-1 lead.

The Rafters tacked on a run in the bottom half of the fourth as Colin Curtis (NYY) hit a lead-off double and moved to third on a wild pitch. He scored when Daryl Jones (STL) grounded out to first. The score stood at 6-2 and signaled the end of Bierd's day. He pitched 4.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits walking 1 and striking out 1 to pick up his third win. Surprise would add two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Moustaskas and an RBI single by Curtis, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.

Richie Lentz earned his third hold of the fall campaign by pitching a scoreless seventh inning to lower his ERA to 0.71. The Solar Sox play these same Surprise Rafters this afternoon at 2:35 EST.

Player of the Night: Randor Bierd, who picked up his team-leading third victory by pitching 4.0 innings allowing 2 runs.

Sox sign Stephen Fox from Can-Am League

The Red Sox have purchased the contract of righthander Stephen Fox from the Sussex Skyhawks of the Can-Am league. Fox posted a 3.98 ERA in 19 games out of the bullpen for Sussex this season. He was especially effective late in the year, putting up a 1.90 ERA and recording 29 strikeouts over his final 24.0 innings after making mechanical adjustments.

Fox was recruited to play baseball at Hofstra out of high school but never gained eligibility. He pitched in a non-professional men's league before being signed by Sussex. He was ranked the ninth-best Independent League prospect by Baseball America in October.

Province slams the door as Mesa edges Scottsdale

11/10 Cup of Coffee: It was a close one in the desert Monday, but timely hitting and a stellar ensemble pitching performance helped Mesa edge Scottsdale by a 3-2 score.

The Scorpions got off to a fast start, scoring in the first when Brandon Crawford (SFG) doubled with one out and scored two batters later on an RBI groundout by fellow Giants prospect Thomas Neal. Hector Gomez (COL) added to the lead in the third when he homered against Marco Albano (LAA), who had just entered the game for starter Tim Kiely (LAA), to lead off the inning.

With the score still 2-0 in favor of Scottsdale in the bottom of the fifth, Mesa started its comeback. After a lead-off single by David Cooper (TOR) and a fielders-choice groundout by Ryan Kalish, Steve Singleton (MIN) tied the game with a two-run home run to right, scoring Kalish. The Solar Sox would take the lead an inning later thanks in large part to the speed of Starlin Castro (CHC), who led off the inning with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a fly out by Rene Tosoni (MIN), and scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Parmelee (MIN) to make the score 3-2.

The Mesa bullpen would handle things from there, shutting out Scottsdale over the final 7.0 innings following the Gomez home run. After Albano departed at the start of the fifth inning, Florida prospects Jay Voss and Jay Buente each tossed 2.0 scoreless frames. Chris Province then closed the game out in the ninth, allowing only 1 hit to earn his second save of the AFL season.

Kalish, who patrolled center field for Mesa in this game, went 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts, but did gun down Buster Posey (SFG) at second base to turn a fly out to center into a double play. Jose Iglesias also saw action in this one, going 0 for 3. Mesa returns to action this afternoon at 2:35 EST when the team squares off against Surprise.

Player of the Night: Chris Province, who preserved a one-run lead with a scoreless inning to earn his second AFL save.

Red Sox decline option on Varitek, Gonzalez, bring back Wakefield and Martinez

The Red Sox yesterday made decisions on their team options, choosing to decline their $5 million option on Jason Varitek, as well as their $6 million option on Alex Gonzalez. The team also picked up its $7.1 million option on Victor Martinez while coming to terms on a new deal with Tim Wakefield.

Varitek struggled last season, hitting .209 before eventually losing his starting job to Martinez. His days with the Red Sox may not be over, as he holds a $3 million player option that includes an additional $2 million in incentives.

Gonzalez was paid a $500,000 buyout instead of having his option picked up. He was acquired by Boston on August 14 and hit .284, making just one error in 44 games. The team is reportedly exploring bringing back Gonzalez at a lower price.

Martinez was acquired at the July 31 trade deadline and made an immediate impact on a struggling Red Sox offense. He hit .336 with 8 home runs and 41 RBI in 56 games with Boston, taking over the starting catcher position from Varitek.

The Red Sox and Wakefield came to terms on a new two-year deal instead of his perpetual $4 million option. Wakefield will make $3.5 million in 2010 and $1.5 million in 2011. The contract also contains performance-based incentives which can reportedly make the deal worth $10 million over two years. Wakefield made his first American League All-Star Team last year, but struggled with injuries and ended up only making 21 appearances, the lowest number he has made since his rookie season in 1992 with Pittsburgh.

Caribbean Roundup: November 2-November 8

Here's how Boston's prospects fared over the past week in the Caribbean:

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

Jose Alvarez (Caribes de Anzoategui), in his last appearance before being traded to Florida, threw 2.2 innings out of the bullpen on November 4, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 2.

Felix Doubront (Navegantes del Magallanes) made two appearances (one start) in which he pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He did not record a strikeout or a walk in either appearance.

Enrique Gonzalez (Tiburones de La Guaira) started November 6, going 4.1 innings allowing 5 runs on 7 hits (2 home runs), while walking 1 and striking out 2.

Leandro Marin (Leones del Caracas) made one appearance, pitching a clean outing out of the bullpen on November 6 against Lara in which he picked up the win while recording 2 strikeouts.

Yeiper Castillo (Aguilas del Zulia) made three appearances out of the bullpen, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings allowing only 1 hit.

Juan Apodaca (Aguilas del Zulia, pictured) went 4 for 11 with 4 RBI in five appearances during the week.

Mexican Pacific League

Robert Coello (Algodoneros de Guasave) made the start on November 6 against Culiacan, picking up the win by going 5.0 innings, allowing 1 run on 5 hits (1 home run) while striking out 3 and walking 2.

Angel Chavez (Caneros de los Mochis) appeared in three games, going 0 for 8 with an RBI.

Dominican Winter League

Mark Wagner (Gigantes del Cibao) played in two games, going 1 for 8 with a single.

Colombian Winter League

Reynaldo Rodriguez (Leones de Monteria) appeared in seven games, going 7 for 27 (.259) with 3 doubles and 2 RBI.

Player of the Week: Juan Apodaca, who hit .363 with 4 RBI in five games for Zulia.

Western Division rallies for 8-7 win in Rising Star Showcase

11/8 Cup of Coffee: Trailing 7-0 after the top of the first, the Western Division held the Eastern squad scoreless for the remainder of the game and rallied for a dramatic come-from-behind 8-7 win in the AFL Rising Star Showcase.

Before 4,550 fans, the largest crowd in the game's brief history, the Eastern Division scored seven times in their half of the first, driving Atlanta prospect Mike Minor from the game after retiring just two batters. Eleven Eastern hitters came to bat in the inning, producing the 7 runs on 7 hits highlighted by a three-run home run by Arizona prospect Brandon Allen.

The West answered with a two-run homer by Chris Heisey (CIN) in the bottom of the first and added four more in the third inning. Carlos Triunfel (SEA) led off the third with a home run. With two out, a Mike Moustakas (KC) single was followed by a Heisey double, a two-run double by Yonder Alonso (CIN) and run-scoring double by Daryl Jones. (STL)

Two Red Sox prospects entered the game in the bottom of the fifth. Dustin Richardson came into the game in relief, while Jose Iglesias entered as a defensive replacement at shortstop and ended up going 0 for 2. He struck out swinging in the sixth and was called out on strikes in the eighth. After retiring the first two hitters on a ground out to short and a strikeout, Richardson gave up two straight singles before getting the final out of the inning on a fly ball to deep center.

The East held on to its narrow one-run lead until the bottom of the eighth. Padre prospect Lance Zawadzki led off the inning with a single. Cleveland catching prospect Mike McBride followed with a two-run homer to complete the comeback. Allen led off the ninth with a walk for the East but Braves prospect Craig Kimbrel retired the next three hitters to earn the save for the Western Division.

The Solar Sox resume play on Monday with a 2:35 EST game against Scottsdale.

Iglesias drives in five in Solar Sox win

11/7 Cup of Coffee: Mesa extended its winning streak to three games on Friday with an 11-1 thrashing of the Surprise Rafters.

The Solar Sox scored early and often in this contest. In the second inning, they scored four runs, with one of those crossing the plate on a Jose Iglesias ground out to second. Mesa added three more in the third on a three-run home run by Iglesias, his second of the fall season. Twins prospect Steve Hirschfeld allowed 1 hit and struck out 2 over 3.0 shutout innings for the win. In the fourth, the Solar Sox added another three runs. With the bases loaded, Matt Dominguez (FLA) doubled in two runs. Iglesias then grounded out to first, scoring Hank Conger (LAA) from third, for the Cuban shortstop's fifth RBI of the game.

Mesa scored its final run in the sixth, when Conger led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a PJ Phillips (LAA) single, and scored on a Dominguez sacrifice fly. Richie Lentz entered the game in the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning, despite giving up base hits to the first two Rafter hitters he faced. He retired the next three hitters on a strikeout, a pop fly to the catcher and another strikeout.

The Rafters scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the ninth on a home run by Royals prospect Mike Moustakas.

Regular action takes a break today, as the Arizona Fall League holds its Rising Star Showcase, with the Eastern Division taking on the West at 8:15 pm EST. Dustin Richardson is the only Sox prospect taking part in the contest.

Player of the Night: Jose Iglesias, who went 1 for 5 with a home run and 5 RBI.

Cabrera, Green, Gathright become free agents

The Red Sox yesterday outrighted Fernando Cabrera, Nick Green (pictured) and Joey Gathright, removing them from the 40-man roster and effectively making all three free agents.

Cabrera was originally signed as a free agent in January 2009 and had a stellar season at Pawtucket. Appearing in 43 games out of the bullpen, he compiled a 1.71 ERA with 22 saves. He appeared in six games with Boston, posting a 8.44 ERA.

Green appeared in 103 games for Boston, seeing the bulk of time at shortstop early in the season due to a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness on the part of Julio Lugo and an injury to Jed Lowrie. He hit .236 with 6 HR and 35 RBI. He had many memorable moments during the season, including a walk-off home run on June 21 against the Atlanta Braves, pitching 2.0 innings of scoreless relief on August 27 against the Chicago White Sox, and a key two-out walk against the Angels in a 9-8 win on September 16.

Gathright was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on August 29 for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He appeared in 17 games for Boston, often as a pinch runner or late-inning defensive replacement, hitting .313.

Exposito scores twice as Solar Sox humble Javelinas

11/6 Cup of Coffee: Mesa's pitching and hitting combined to give it a second straight win over the Javelinas on Thursday. The Solar Sox pounded out 14 hits on way to an 8-1 win.

Mesa struck for a run in the bottom of the first when Rene Tosoni (MIN) scored on a Ryan Kalish ground ball that Javelina shortstop Carlos Triunfel (SEA) mishandled. The Solar Sox added three more runs in the second. PJ Phillips (LAA) led off the inning with his first home run of the fall season. Luis Exposito then singled and scored on a single by Cubs prospect Michael Brenly after Javelina center fielder Lorenzo Cain (MIL) committed a throwing error. Brenly then scored on a sacrifice fly by Starlin Castro (CHC).

Andrew Cashner (CHC) pitched the first 4.0 innings for the Solar Sox and did not allow a run or a walk. He gave up 5 hits and had 4 strikeouts. Mesa scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, when Phillips led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on an Exposito single. Ryan Mount (LAA) singled scoring Phillips, with Exposito moving to second. The Red Sox catching prospect moved to third on a fly ball to center field and scored on a Tosoni ground out to first.

The Javelinas scored their only run in the seventh, when Jessie Mier (LAD) led off the inning with a double off Cubs prospect Blake Parker. With one out, Mier scored on a single by Cain. The Solar Sox completed their scoring in the bottom half of the inning, as Castro singled to lead off the inning and moved to second when Chris Parmelee (MIN) walked. Kalish singled, scoring Castro and moving Parmelee to third. Parmelee then scored on a sacrifice fly by Twins prospect Steve Singleton.

Dustin Richardson pitched a scoreless, hitless eighth inning. He allowed 2 walks while fanning 2 Javelina hitters. Alex Burnett (MIN) threw a clean ninth, striking out two of the three hitters he faced.

Kalish went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Exposito also went 2 for 4 and scored twice. The Solar Sox face Surprise this afternoon at 2:35 EST.

Player of the Night: Luis Exposito who had 2 hits and scored 2 runs.

Alvarez, Jones traded to Florida for Jeremy Hermida

With the off-season just a day old, the Red Sox were quick to strike a deal. According to Peter Abraham of Boston.com, the Red Sox will send left-handed pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez (pictured) to the Florida Marlins in exchange for outfielder Jeremy Hermida. A first-round pick by the Marlins in 2002, Hermida hit .259/.348/.392 in 429 at-bats in 2009, including 14 doubles, 13 home runs, and 57 RBI. A veteran of five Major League seasons, the 25-year-old left-handed hitter owns a career line of .265/.344/.425 with 57 home runs in 1708 at-bats with Florida. Hermida, who is under team control for 2010 and 2011, avoided arbitration last season by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million deal.

Jones, who came to the Red Sox as an undrafted free agent following the 2005 MLB draft, split time this season between Pawtucket and Boston, putting up a 9.24 in 12.2 innings of Major League work. The 25-year-old left-hander pitched to a 4-3 record with a 4.25 ERA and 39 in 53.0 Triple-A innings.

Alvarez, meanwhile, enjoyed an All-Star season for the Lowell Spinners, going 8-3 with a 1.52 ERA in 83.0 innings, striking out 63 against only 10 walks. His 8 wins set a Lowell franchise record, while his 1.52 ERA led the New York-Penn League. He also got into 12 games for High-A Salem, posting a 4.74 ERA in 24.2 innings. A native of Venezuela signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent in 2005, the 20-year-old Alvarez has a career record of 23-15 with a 3.21 ERA in four seasons in the Red Sox organization.

Solar Sox muzzle Javelinas in power-fueled victory

11/5 Cup of Coffee: The Mesa Solar Sox used 11 hits, 2 home runs and another dominant performance by the bullpen to beat back the Peoria Javelinas 8-5 on Wednesday afternoon.

Mesa wasted no time getting on the board as Steve Singleton (MIN) singled and came around to score on David Cooper's (TOR) RBI single in the top of the first. In the top of the second, lead-off hitter Bryan Peterson (FLA) reached on an error and came around to score on Singleton's RBI double. Singleton would then score on Chris Parmelee's (MIN) RBI triple.

With a 3-0 lead, the Solar Sox feasted on Peoria reliever Mark Rogers (MIL) in the top of the third. Cooper would lead off the inning with a double, then Ryan Kalish added a double of his own, scoring Cooper. Matt Dominguez (FLA) followed with his second home run of the fall to score Kalish. Casey Kelly kept the rally going with a walk and then scored on Michael Brenly's (CHC) two-run home run give Mesa an 8-0 lead.

Peoria answered the Solar Sox outburst with five runs of their own in the bottom of the third as Mesa starter Randor Bierd ran into trouble. Taylor Green (MIL) led off the inning with a single, Justin Sellers (LAD) followed with a walk, then Trayvon Robinson (LAD) laced an RBI single to score Green and put the Javelinas on the board. Bierd then forced in a run with his bases-loaded walk to Jordan Danks (CWS). Jonathan Lucroy (MIL) followed with a sac fly, and then Casper Wells (DET) unloaded on a Bierd change-up for his fourth home run of the fall, making the score 8-5. Unfortunately for the Javelinas, the Solar Sox bullpen squashed any further scoring, holding Peoria to only two hits over the remaining six innings, capped by Chris Province earning his first save of the fall.

Bierd picked up the win going only 3.0 innings, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4. Kelly was 0 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout. Province picked up the save by pitching a hitless ninth inning, allowing a walk and striking out 2. Kalish had a big day, going 2 for 3 with a double, a run scored, an RBI, 2 walks and a stolen base. The Solar Sox look to beat back the Peoria Javelinas once again this afternoon at 2:35 EST.

Player of the Night: Ryan Kalish, who was a menace to the Javelinas as he reached base four times with 2 walks, and a double, adding an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.

Solar Sox drop another close game

11/4 Cup of Coffee: Another night, another close loss for Mesa, which dropped a 2-1 decision to the Peoria Saguaros on Tuesday.

The Solar Sox did get on the board first in the fourth, when Starlin Castro (CHC) drilled his first home run of the AFL season to open the inning. Peoria would strike right back in the bottom half of the inning, as a Matt McBride (CLE) walk and singles by Carlos Rivero (CLE) and Brandon Hicks (ATL) knotted the score at 1-1. The Saguaros would take the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth after Jose Vallejo (TEX) tripled with one out and came home one batter later when San Diego prospect Lance Zawadzki singled.

Mesa would have a golden chance to tie the game when Castro tripled to lead off the sixth inning. The next batter, Minnesota prospect Rene Tosoni, lofted a shallow fly ball in the direction of Peoria left fielder McBride that fell for a single, but Castro was thrown out attempting to score. Luis Exposito would lead off the seventh with a double, but he was stranded at third base following a fly out and back-to-back strikeouts induced by Saguaros pitcher Sean Watson (CIN).

Exposito was the only Red Sox prospect to see action in the game, going 1 for 4 with a double. He also grounded into a double play in the second and grounded out to third base to end the game. Mesa's next game will be this afternoon against the Peoria Javelinas at 2:35 EST.

Richardson named to AFL Rising Stars game

Rosters for the fourth annual Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Game were released on Tuesday, and left-handed reliever Dustin Richardson was the lone Red Sox player selected. The game will take place this Saturday, November 7, and will be televised at 8:15 PM EST on the MLB Network.

This fall, Richardson has pitched 7.2 innings with a 5.87 ERA and 11 strikeouts against 5 walks. A fifth-round selection by the Red Sox in 2006, Richardson pitched in 45 games out of the bullpen between Portland and Pawtucket in 2009, compiling a 2.55 ERA in 76 innings. He struck out 96 while walking 42 in his first season as a relief pitcher. Richardson's success in the minors led to a call-up to Boston on September 28, and in three games with Boston, he pitched 3.1 scoreless innings.

The Rising Stars Game, which will pit players from the Eastern Division Mesa Solar Sox, Phoenix Desert Dogs and Scottsdale Scorpions against players from the Western Division Peoria Javelinas, Peoria Saguaros and the Surprise Rafters, is a showcase of top minor league talent participating in the AFL. This year's contest is especially ripe with talent, including 2009 first overall pick Stephen Strasburg, who is scheduled to start for the East.

Hazen stays with Sox, turns down San Diego

Red Sox Director of Player Development Mike Hazen will be staying in Boston after turning down the chance to become Jed Hoyer's assistant general manager in San Diego. Hazen is a native of Abington, MA and has been with his home-town Red Sox since 2006 after spending five seasons as a member of the Cleveland Indians front office. Coincidentally, Hazen was drafted by the Padres in the thirty-first round of the 1998 MLB draft out of Princeton University. He played parts of two seasons in the Padres minor league system as an outfielder before a shoulder injury derailed his career.

Under Hazen's watch, the Red Sox have drafted and developed players such as Daniel Bard, Justin Masterson, Lars Anderson, Casey Kelly, and Ryan Westmoreland. Hazen cited the Boston organization's "uniqueness and spirit", as well as having a lot of work yet to be completed, as reasons for staying.

When Hoyer became general manager of the Padres, Ben Cherington moved into a more traditional assistant general manager role and away from his previous duties overseeing scouting and player development. Hazen and Jason McLeod are believed to now have total authority in their fields and will report directly to General Manager Theo Epstein.

Lentz helps Solar Sox chop down Saguaros

11/3 Cup of Coffee: The Mesa Solar Sox were lifted by strong performances from the top of their order as well 5.0 scoreless innings from the bullpen to beat the Peoria Saguaros 7-2 on Monday afternoon.

Peoria got off to a quick start as Lance Zawadzki (SDP) drilled a lead-off single and would come around to score on Chris Heisey's (CIN) RBI triple. Heisey would score on Yondor Alonso's (CIN) RBI single, bringing the early Saguaro lead to 2-0. The Solar Sox were not to be outdone, as they answered back in the bottom of the first. Bryan Peterson (FLA) and Starlin Castro (CHC) hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, and with two outs would pull off a double steal before scoring on Hank Conger's (LAA) two-run single. Mesa would expand their lead in the bottom of the fifth on four consecutive singles by Steve Singleton (MIN), Jose Iglesias, Peterson, and Castro which plated an additional three runs, making the lead 5-2.

Mesa would cap the scoring in the bottom of the seventh, as Josh Vitters (CHC) hit a lead-off triple and scored when Ryan Kalish reached on an error. Kalish would steal second and score on Peterson's third single of the afternoon, making the score 7-2 Solar Sox. Mesa was powered by the top of their order, as lead-off hitter Peterson was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored and second hitter Castro was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

Richie Lentz pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win, allowing only one hit and striking out two. Lentz led a sparkling performance by the Solar Sox bullpen, which allowed only the one hit across five scoreless innings, striking out five. Dustin Richardson pitched a scoreless eighth inning, picking up a strikeout of his own.

Kalish ended the afternoon 0 for 2 with an RBI and Iglesias was 1 for 3 with a run scored. The Solar Sox are back in action this afternoon at 2:35 EST against the Peoria Javelinas.

Player of the Night: Richie Lentz, who picked up his first win of the AFL season, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 2.

Caribbean Roundup: October 26 - November 1

Here's how Boston's prospects fared over the past week in the Caribbean:

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

Jose Alvarez (Caribes de Anzoategui) threw 0.2 innings in relief over 2 appearances, allowing 1 earned run on a home run, striking out 2 and walking 1.

Enrique Gonzalez (Tiburones de La Guaira) started against Margarita on October 27, picking up the loss while going 2.2 innings, allowing 6 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits (1 home run), striking out 2 and walking 2. He made his second start of the week on November 1 against Magallanes, once again picking up the loss by going 4.0 innings, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits including 2 home runs.

Yeiper Castillo (Aguilas del Zulia) made his lone appearance of the week on October 30, picking up the win in relief by throwing 1.2 hitless innings against Anzoategui.

Juan Apodaca (Aguilas del Zulia) made it into one game during the week, on October 31 against Anzoategui, in which he went 1 for 3 with a strikeout.

Mexican Pacific League

Robert Coello (Algodoneros de Guasave) made two starts during the week. On October 27 against Navojoa, he went 3.0 innings allowing 5 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits (1 home run) while walking 2 and striking out 2. On November 1 against Mochis, he went 6.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits (2 home runs) while walking 2 and striking out 8.

Dominican Winter League

Mark Wagner (Gigantes del Cibao) played in three games, hitting .333 with a double and a run scored in 6 at-bats.

Colombian Winter League

Reynaldo Rodriguez (Leones de Monteria) appeared in five games, hitting .333 in 15 at-bats with a home run, 6 RBI and 3 runs scored.

Player of the Week: Reynaldo Rodriguez, who had an impressive week in which he hit .333 with a home run and 6 RBI.

Exposito has two hits in losing cause

11/1 Cup of Coffee: Before 454 fans at Hohokam Park on Saturday, Phoenix edged Mesa 4-3.

The Desert Dogs struck first in this contest. With one out in the second, Brad Emaus (TOR) doubled and scored on a Corey Brown (OAK) two-base hit. The Solar Sox evened the score in their half of the inning, as David Cooper (TOR) doubled, went to third on a Luis Exposito single and scored on a PJ Phillips (LAA) sacrifice fly. Phoenix regained the lead in the third, when Grant Desme (OAK) singled in Jemile Weeks (OAK) from third, and increased their margin to two runs in the fourth inning. With one out, Emaus scored on an attempted double play that netted only an out at second base. In the bottom half of the inning, Mesa narrowed the lead once again after Phillips walked, advanced to second on a Casey Kelly ground out and scored on a Ryan Mount (LAA) single.

Phoenix scored what proved to be the winning run in the fifth, after Weeks tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a Brandon Wagner (BAL) sacrifice fly. In the sixth, the Solar Sox scored their final run, when Exposito singled, went to third on a Kelly single and scored after two straight walks. Chris Province entered the game in the seventh and pitched 2.0 scoreless frames, allowing 2 hits. The Solar Sox threatened in the bottom of the ninth, but with runners on first and second and two out, Cooper grounded into a force out to end the game.

Exposito ended up 2 for 4 and scored a run, while Kelly, who started at third, went 1 for 3. He was also awarded first on a catcher's interference call in the second inning.

Mesa's next game is on Monday, a 2:35 EST start, against the Peoria Saguaros.