Michael Young...The Missing Piece in the Red Sox' Game?

As any good fan knows, the games are played between the lines and not in the GM's head. But could Theo Epstein and the Red Sox be playing "A New Move Every Day" in an effort to bring Texas shortstop Michael Young to Beantown?

It seems with each passing day, Theo Epstein and the Red Sox continue to add pieces to their game in an effort to checkmate the Yankees' signing of Mark Teixeira. In the past week, the Sox have added catcher Josh Bard, outfielder Rocco Baldelli, and pitchers, Brad Penney, John Smoltz, and, most recently, Takashi Saito.

On paper, the moves look like a well strategized game of Tic-Tac-Toe. But perhaps the stockpiling of low-investment, high-risk talent could be the beginning of a game of Stratego.

Though any team's bullpen can always use reinforcement, the two most glaring holes in the Red Sox game seem to be at shortstop and catcher. Long time catcher Jason Varitek remains unsigned and negotiations haven't budged in weeks. Last year's shortstop tandem of Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo are at best average on a team that doesn't take kindly to average.

At the same time, Young wants out of Texas after being notified of the Rangers' plan to move the shortstop to third base. Additionally, the Rangers are viewed to be overstocked at catcher with the emergence of stars in the making Tayler Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Previous reports have circulated stating the Rangers wanted a combination of Sox prospects, including, pitchers Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, Justin Masterson, and Daniel Bard, as well as outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury for one of the young catchers.  Epstein had been unwilling to pull the trigger.

With spring training just three weeks away and the catcher spot still up in the air, Epstein may be willing to sweeten the pot and pull a blockbuster trade to include Young.

I suspect Young and Saltalamacchia for Buchholz, Bowden, and Ellsbury. This will leave the Sox with an outfield of Jason Bay, J.D. Drew, Mark Kotsay, and Baldelli.

Young, a career .300 hitter, had his streak of five consecutive 200-hit seasons snapped last year when he struggled with wrist problems.