What a wonderful feeling to see Jon Lester take a major league mound again. After giving up two runs in six innings, Lester is back on his way to becoming an established big league starter.

But will he stay with the Red Sox?

The answer, I believe, is of course.

I have heard a zillion trade rumors, and how the Red Sox have great trade bait in Lester and/or Kason Gabbard.

The Red Sox would be nuts to deal either one of them at this time. Desperate teams trade good young pitching talent at the trade deadline, and the Red Sox are hardly a desperate team.

While Lester and Gabbard give the Red Sox a crowded rotation - when Curt Schilling comes back - that is a GOOD problem. And, as Terry Francona likes to say, these things have a way of working themselves out.

But what if Boston has six healthy starters by mid-August? Great. The Red Sox have a doubleheader on Aug. 17. Plus there are chances to give starters an extra days rest here and there, especially when rosters expand in September.

And if we want to play this What-If game some more, what if both Gabbard and Lester are dominant for the next 2 1/2 months? It will be fun to watch how the Red Sox handle such a blessing.

Now, about the rotation. Here is an idea for when David Ortiz comes back to the lineup (reportedly Wednesday): Bat him fourth and Manny Ramirez fifth (and, poof, Boston's problem for a No. 5 batter is solved).

The first three hitters could be Coco Crisp leading off (with Julio Lugo occasionally against lefties), then Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis. It does not look like Youkilis does well hitting fifth. Try him in front of Papi.

The argument against such a move is that it bumps back the dangerous Ortiz and Ramirez one spot in the lineup. It's a legitimate concern. But why not try it? Keep Lowell sixth and let Drew work out his swing while hitting seventh.

And, finally, here's the latest minor league prospect to keep an eye on: outfielder Josh Reddick. A 17th-round draft choice last year out of a junior college, Reddick did not play pro ball until this season.

Reddick, 20, was called up from extended spring training in late May, to low Class A Greenville. There, he is batting .323 in 57 games, with 10 home runs (two on Monday night) and 39 RBI.

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