The addition of minor league first-baseman Chris Carter is interesting. Are the Red Sox simply stockpiling or preparing for Mike Lowell's exit?

When the Wily Mo Pena trade to the Nationals (for a player to be named later) was announced last Friday, Red Sox manager talked about his regret for the original trade of Bronson Arroyo for Pena ("We wish we could have that one back"). But in the same breath said, "we got a player we really like."

That "player to be named later" was named on Tuesday: first-baseman Chris Carter, who turns 25 next month.

Caretr, who hits and bats left, has put up good numbers in Triple-A these past two seasons, while in the Diamondbacks organization:

2006: .301 average, 19 HR, 97 RBI, 69 K/78 BB in 509 at-bats
2007: .324, 18, 84, 68/50 in 503 at-bats

From all reports he is a two-tool player. He hits and hits with power, but is considered a below-average fielder and, according to Baseball America, "has a fringy arm and well below-average speed."

Carter, who has been assigned to Pawtucket, is the latest in a number of first-baseman the Red Sox have acquired. It has been a primary focus in the draft. Two prospects are making their way through the system, including the recently promoted Aaron Bates in Portland, and 19-year-old Lars Anderson in low Class A.

In the recent draft, 3 of the top 8 picks went for first-baseman, although the top one, second-round selection Hunter Morris, opted for college.

Boston has little depth at the corner infield spots. With few third baseman coming through the ranks, are the Red Sox going to move Kevin Youkilis to third next year and not offer third-baseman Mike Lowell a contract (or at least not make him a competitive offer)?

Lowell is 33. He is the third baseman the Red Sox "had" to take to make the Josh Beckett deal work. He is also leading Boston in RBI (85), and is third in both average (.315) and home runs (17).

Lowell is so valuable to the Red Sox right now. But how does he project in the Red Sox plans? Do they offer him a two-year deal, when others are certain to offer him at least three?

It will be interesting to watch.

As for the here and now, the Red Sox magic number dropped to 31. The Red Sox and Matsuzaka face the Devil Rays and Edwin Jackson (8.68 ERA vs. the Red Sox) ... The Yankees have the reliable Andy Pettite on the mound to stop a two-game losing streak. Boston fans hope Angels starter John Lackey has recovered from his Fenway start last week (6 runs in the first inning).

And finally the Wily Mo watch: 6-fo-16 so far with Washington, with two homers.

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