Mike Lowell trade speculation has run rampant for the past two years, but all the bluster finally seems to be amounting to something and numerous reports are indicating that the Boston Red Sox will trade Lowell to the Texas Rangers for prospect catcher Max Ramirez. 

If the trade is completed the Red Sox will likely have to pay a majority of the $12M remaining on Lowell's contract, which runs only through the up coming 2010 season.  Because the Red Sox will be paying more than $1M of Lowell's salary, the trade is subject to approval by the commissioners office.  Another potential hang up to the trade are Lowell's medical records.  Lowell has a history of injuries and is 35 years old. 

If the Lowell trade is completed, the Red Sox will have to look for another option at third base.  Kevin Youkilis is always an option for the team, having come up through the organization as a third baseman and recently he has split time between first and third base.  The Red Sox have been rumored to have interest in free agent Adrian Beltre, a Scott Boras client. 

In speaking with Boston Globe reporter Peter Abraham, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels was elusive, but did not deny the trade rumors.  Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was unavailable for comment. 

Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting that if the deal is completed, it will not be for a while.  Nevertheless, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated believes the deal has a better than 50-50 chance of being completed.

Are Mike Lowell's days in Boston over?

8:41 PM: The latest rumor has the Jays asking for Clay Buchholz, Casey Kelly and another high level prospect, but Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein does not want to give up Buchholz and Kelly.

7:45 PM: The Roy Halladay rumor machine chugs along and is sure to gain steam as the week goes on. 

• Though there have been earlier reports that Blue Jays general manager JP Riccardi was instituting a July 28th deadline, that seams like nothing but talk.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that Riccardi is prepared to negotiatie until the 4pm deadline Friday.  
• The Blue Jays high asking price has taking the Rays out of discussions for Halladay for now.  However, Ed Price notes that the Rays are still interested in and Victor Martinez Cliff Lee from the Indians.  There's also the possibility that they deal Scott Kazmir to the Angels. That last one seems a bit out of left field, pardon the pun.
• Negotiations between the Phillies and Blue Jays do not appear to be going very far at the moment according to Jayson Stark of espn.com.  The Blue Jays are still asking for JA Happ, Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown.  Some think that the what the Jays are askign for is reasonable.  Jon Heyman says that there is a "5% chance" the Jays and Phillis consumate something.  The Phillies may move to Cliff Lee if Halladay doesn't work out.
• Gordon Edes of Yahoo! Sports heard that the Red Sox might offer Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Michael Bowden, Junichi Tazawa and Casey Kelly.  This seems crazy to me.  That's the Red Sox top 3, arguably 4 with Tazawa, piching prospects.  Nevertheless, word out of Boston is that the Red Sox are trying to do something, whether it be Halladay or Victor Martinez or someone else.
• Some of the Blue Jays expect Halladay to stay with the Jays.  So do I.
• The Yankees are not interested in trading away their prospects or adding any more salary to their bloated payroll.

Yesterday brought word that the Blue Jays are willing to listen to offers for ace Roy Halladay. Today there's plenty of reaction and speculation.  Let's take a look.

• An intial report has the Phillies as the "leaders" for Halladay, but that is likely only based on their obvious interest in acquiring a pitcher...any pitcher.  What can the Phillies really offer the Blue Jays?  Shortstop Jason Donald is considered their best prospect and after that they have a few 50-100 range ranked prospects, but not the haul that the Jays are likely looking for.
• Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated notes that the Jays were interested in Donald last year. 
• Heyman speculates about how impressive the Giants roster would be if Halladay were added.  That would give them four former Cy Young award winners AND Matt Cain.  Certainly Barry Zito and Randy Johnson are not the same pitchers, but they're pretty good for #4 and #5 pitchers. 
• While the White Sox would not trade Gordon Beckham for Jake Peavy Heyman says they'd consider moving the prospect for Halladay.  I don't entirely understand this unless they actually like that Halladay is only signed through 2010 while Peavy is under contract through 2013.
• The Cardinals seem unlikely to have the prospects to get a trade for Halladay done.
• Phillies general manager Rubin Amaro Jr. said that the Phillies do have the financial flexibility to add an ace pitcher like Halladay. 
• Joel Sherman of The New York Post confirms the sentiment that the Phillies are in the lead for Halladay and notes that the Rangers and Cardinals could be players as well (as we indicated yesterday).  
• In his discussion with Sherman Blue Jays general manager JP Riccardi noted that discussions with other teams has been very preliminary and while they're always interested in teams' best prospect, if they got a shortstop out of the deal, that would be preferable.  However, Halladay does have a no trade clause and has already provided Riccardi with a list of teams that he is not interested in playing for.  The Jays are able to afford Halladay for 2010 if they need to, so Riccardi is trying to give the impression that they are not desperate to move their star pitcher.  He does not, however, think they'd be able to resign him after 2010. 
• Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has given no indication that the team is interested in acquiring Halladay.  That's a bit of a misnomer.  I'm sure they're very interested, but just not for the price tag that it will realistically take to get him.
• Lyle Weber of mlb.com throws out major leaguers Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana and minor leaguers Brandon Wood, Sean O'Sullivan and Jordan Walden as possible pieces to group together in a package offer for Halladay.  It seems unlikely that the Jays would be interested in Aybar or Saunders, but Santana could get their attention along with Wood.

A bunch of links to pass along about tonight's draft.  We'll sort them by team and in draft order.

• If the Mariners surprise everyone and pass on Dustin Ackley, the Padres have the money available to take him with the #3 pick writes Chris Jenkins of The San Diego Union-Tribune.  If Ackley is gone, as expected, Donovan Tate appears to be the front runner.
• Carroll Rogers of The Atlanta Journal Constitution notes that the Braves could continue their trend of drafting local talent with either Zach Wheeler or Donovan Tate, if he's available.  Alex White and Mike Minor are other options for the Braves with the seventh pick.
• Troy Renek of The Denver Post suggests that the Rockies do not play it safe with this draft.
• The Royals hope to find a shortstop in the draft, writes Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star.
• The Rangers will continue their draft modus operandi of drafting the best available player with each pick writes Jeff Wilson of The Dallas Morning News.  Jason Churchill approves.
• The Indians have not hit on a first round draft pick since CC Sabathia in 1998, so they are feeling pressure to get their pick this year, #15, right writes Dennis Manoloff of The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• With a plethora of picks in tonights draft, including #16 and #17, the Diamondbacks have employed a "hybrid" approach to scouting according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.  It is an 'all hands on deck' approach where scouts are watching all levels of player (high school, college, latin, international) and even major league personel are getting involved in the amateur scouting.
• Tom D'Angelo of The Palm Beach Post writes that the Marlins are looking to improve their amateur pitching in tonight's draft.
• The Astros had a successful draft (so far) in 2008 and hope to replicate those efforts tonight reports Zachary Levine of The Houston Chronicle.
• The Twins seem to be eschewing Churchill's suggestion of not drafting for need and are hoping to find pitching and middle infield help in tonight's draft.
• In an effort to improve their bullpen this year, the Angels might look to take Billy Bullock or Drew Storen with one of their first picks (#24 and #25) writes Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times.
• Tom Haudricourt of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that he Brewers pick #26 tonight, the lowest they've selected sin 1983.
• Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein recalls the years when not as much attention was given to the amateur draft.
• The Rays believe they'll get some talent they like with the 30th pick according to Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times.

Jason Churchill of espn.com has a bunch of updates for us today along with a look at a few players who have fallen out of the Top 100 for various reasons:

• Casey Haerther, UCLA: "Anywhere from the fifth [round] to double digits," one assistant scouting director predicted for Haerther's spot in next month's draft. "He's a guy I'll worry about when it comes to the wood bat, and if he's a 1B or DH, he's going to have to show a lot more power."
• Chris Dominguez, Louisville: The third basemen has hit very well this season, but scouts do not project that he'll be able to play third at the major league level.  His defense puts him no higher than the fourth round.
• Ryan Ortiz, Oregon State: Defense has been a problem for Ortiz as he was moved off of first base to catcher because that's the only place they could keep him on the field.  He's a back up catcher at best at the professional level. 

Around the country:

• AJ Pollock continues to swing a very hot bat and had a strong start to the Big East Tournament with Notre Dame.  His late season surge into the first round continues to go higher.
• Drew Storen was shelled in his most recent outting.
• Grant Green committed his 16th error of the season.  For a player who's draft stock seems reliant on his defense, this is not a good sign.

Churchill also has an update from what Keith Law is hearing:

• The Cardinals are rumored to be interested in Rocky Mount HS outfielder Brian Goodwin with their first round pick (#19) in the 2009 MLB Draft.
• Mike Leake appears headed to the Indians at #15.
• Carlos Beltran's cousin, Reymond Fuentes does not seem likely to get past the Rangers with the 44th pick.
• General managers Theo Epstein of the Red Sox and Andrew Friedman of the Rays were both spotted at the SEC tournament, while Neal Huntington (Pirates), Jack Zduriencik (Mariners), Kevin Towers (Padres) and Brian Sabean (Giants) were all seen at Aaron Crow's outting this morning.
• The Yankees are interested in taking David Renfroe with their second round pick.

Scott Boras is now on record as saying that he feels Jason Varitek deserves a similar contract to what Jorge Posada signed last year.  While that seems out of reach and Varitek, Sean McAdam reports that Theo Epstein will sit down with Boras this week to discuss Varitek's future with the team. 

Tim Brown from Yahoo! Sports suggests that the Tigers and Dodgers are possible destinations for Varitek if something can not be resolved in Boston.

• The Mets plan to pursue Derek Lowe and Brian Fuentes. Jon Heyman feels that the Mets will offer Fuentes three years and $36M.
• On the other hand, the Red Sox are likely not willing to spend what Lowe is looking to make after a fine 2008 season in Los Angeles. Sean McAdam suggests that Lowe will make approximately $15M per season and the Red Sox would have preferred to spend around $10M. However, Boston is rumored to be Lowe's preferred destination, so perhaps he'd take a discount to return to Boston?
• The Rockies have started discussions with free agent Glendon Rusch.
• In the Not Surprising Department, Mike Lupica believes the Yankees will spend a lot of money this off season.
• Carlos Pena was released by both the Red Sox and Yankees (as well as many other teams) before landing with the Rays and flourishing. Joel Sherman of the New York Post discusses why.
• Theo Epstein's extension with the Boston Red Sox is expected to be formally announced after the World Series.
• Adam Loewen is rumored to be close to signing with the Blue Jays.

There were a bunch of articles in the Boston papers yesterday regarding how the Red Sox should go forward into the 2009 season.

• Tony Masserotti of The Boston Globe breaks down the Sox entire 25-man roster. He sees Sean Casey, Mark Kotsay, Paul Byrd and Mike Timlin being let go and Curt Schilling retiring.
• Michael Silverman of The Boston Herald and Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal gives us their to-do lists for Theo Epstein.
  • Figure out what to do with Jason Varitek.
  • Determine who the shortstop is and who the center fielder will be
  • Encorporate Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden on to the major league team.
  • Sign Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and Jonathan Papelbon to long term deals.

• Paul Kenyon of the Providence Journal evaluates the Red Sox free agents.

Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated gives us his latest post:

• Brewers general manager Doug Melvin did not make the decision to fire Ned Yost, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio did.  Buster Olney also thought that this was the work of Attanasio and not Melvin believing Melvin was one of the last general managers in baseball who would do something like this.
• Yesterday we reported that Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein signed a contract extension.  It's apparently for three more years.  Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe tries to decipher the quiet statements from the Red Sox. 
• There's additional talk that the Yankees could be interested in moving Robinson Cano.  Cano was rumored in a swap for Orlando Hudson back in 2007, but the deal was shot down by former manager Joe Torre.  The Yankees are now considered in the running to sign Hudson when he becomes a free agent in the off-season. 

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's contract was due to expire at the close of the 2008 season, but the Boston Globe is reporting that the Red Sox and Epstein have agreed to a contract extension, though no formal agreement has been signed yet.  While Epstein's contract was up at the end of the year, most speculated that the two-time World Champion general manager would not leave Boston.

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated theorized last month that Epstein was unlikely to leave Boston and a contract extension could possibly lead to Red Sox president Larry Lucchino seeking different employment.