Two quick thoughts before heading into 2009.

Why not explore a trade for Hanley Ramirez? The Marlins would be foolish to make such a deal unless Boston was foolish in return and gave away a boatload of prospects.

If Boston traded Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and who-knows-who-else, the Red Sox would likely have put Hanley in center field (Sea Dogs fans will remember him practicing the position at Hadlock Field, back when it was thought Edgar Renteria was the Red Sox solution at short).

The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of signing pitcher Brad Penny and catcher Josh Bard.

Does that signal the end of Jason Varitek?

Assuming Bard sticks as one of the Red Sox two catchers on their 25-man roster, then someone else will be needed to catch knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield.

Bard can't do it (which led to his trade to San Diego early in the 2006 season) and Varitek has struggled on those rare times he has had to catch Wake.

Mark Teixeira has signed with the New York Yankees and ... if you listen to some media folk, the Red Sox have failed miserably and are in trouble.

Hmm.

Not all are jumping off the Red Sox bandwagon. I heard Steve Phillips of ESPN say he still considered Boston the frontrunners in the AL East.

Of course, New York will be better. Teixeira adds to any lineup.

But Red Sox fans need to remember two things.

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Left-hander Dustin Richardson was hot property this time last year, having dominated Class A in 2007 and then getting an invite to the exclusive Red Sox Rookie Development Camp.

But after struggling in Portland in 2008 (7-10, 6.33), the Red Sox looked for ways to better utilize the 6-foot-6 Richardson, who has a high 80's fastball. Richardson moved from starter to reliever in the Hawaiian Winter League (2.42 ERA), and it looks like he might say there.

Red Sox Players Personnel Director Mike Hazen confirmed that Richardson will "likely work out of the pen this year."

Is the recruiting for Mark Teixeira taking on a life of its own?

It takes me back to the days when I wrote about college football recruiting for a newspaper in Florida. The phone calls came in daily with rumors about where Bubba or Speedy or any other blue-chip prospect might be headed.

Bubba' sister wore orange and blue at school. so he must be going to Florida ... Heard Speedy say something nice about Bobby Bowden. FSU's got him ...

The rumors about Teixeira are not that bad, but everything anyone says about the free agent - especially by those anonymous sources - gets magnified

The Red Sox announced that righthanded reliever Beau Vaughan has been traded to the Texas Rangers, as the Player To Be Named Later in the Wes Littleton deal (made Nov. 28).

Vaughan spent almost two full seasons with the Sea Dogs, before getting a late promotion to Triple-A this past August.

He was a goofy character. When David Ortiz came to Portland on a rehab assignment, Vaughan posed as a reporter and asked Ortiz bizarre questions. He dyed his hair often, made outrageous statements and always was ready with his next wisecrack.

Vaughan was also sincere and a loyal teammate. He handled his own struggles in the minors well. He has made 168 career appearances (30 starts) and has a 17-18 record, 3.62 ERA and 23 saves.

Steve Phillips of ESPN reported early this morning that the Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks are discussing a trade involving shortstop Julio Lugo and outfielder Eric Byrnes.

It would be an exchange of bad contracts.

Lugo has not done much in his two years with Boston (granted, the Red Sox won a World Series with him in 2007) and Jed Lowrie took his job last year. Lugo still has two years and $18-million left on the contract.

According to a New York Post report, C.C. Sabathia has decided to pitch for the Yankees.

The contract will be around six years and $140-million.

The signing of Sabathia could get the free agent ball rolling. Those who lost out on Sabathia may be turning to A.J. Burnett and/or Derek Lowe ... of course, the Yankees may also get one or both of them, too.

The Tigers trade for Rangers catcher Gerald Laird had a couple interesting subplots to it.

For one it meant that Texas might be holding on to its other two catchers, Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamecchia. There was speculation that Boston would seek a trade for one of Texas' catchers.

Such a trade now would not come cheap for Boston (Clay Buchholz's name keeps getting thrown out there, but who knows?).

The other interesting part of the Tigers trade is that they reportedly once had interest in Jason Varitek.

According to the Red Sox, catcher Jason Varitek and pitcher Paul Byrd have both rejected arbritration with the Red Sox.

That means if the players do not sign with Boston, the Red Sox will get extra draft picks (two for Varitek, who was considered a "Type A" free agent; and one for Byrd, who was a Type B).

Of course, if Boston signs a Type A free agent (the name Teixeira comes to mind), then the Red Sox will lose a first-round draft pick.

The winter meetings are about to begin. The deals should begin to take shape, especially after Mr. Sabathia signs with somebody.

The Red Sox latest import from Japan, 22-year-old pitcher Junichi Tazawa, is in Boston and is expected to take part in a press conference today to announce his signing with the organization.

Tazawa will go on the 40-man roster, with a reported three-year deal for $3-million. He is expected to begin his career in the minor leagues.

Could he start in Portland?

ESPN is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have signed second baseman Dustin Pedroia to a six-year contract worth $40.5-million, with an club option for a seventh year (2015).

Pedroia, 25, was the AL MVP this season, after batting .326 with 17 home runs and 83 RBI. He also won the Gold Glove award.

As expected, catcher Jason Varitek was offered salary arbitration on Monday.

What was more of a surprise (at least I thought so) was that Boston also offered arbitration to starting pitcher Paul Byrd.

The formality of the Red Sox making an offer to Jason Varitek begins with today's deadline for arbitration.

By offering arbitration, the Red Sox will guarantee themselves compensation (two draft picks) if Varitek signs with another club.

Varitek has until Dec. 7 to accept the arbitration. If he accepts it, he guarantees himself at least a one-year contract with the Sox. More likely, however, is that Varitek does not accept arbitration and then signs with the highest bidder (which could still be the Sox).