Victor Martinez Could Be Heading to the Hub

For the past month or so, Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein has been searching for a bat to add to his Major League club, and today, he did so.

The Red Sox have traded away Double-A shortstop Argenis Diaz and single-A pitcher Hunter Strickland to the Pittsburgh Pirates for corner infielder Adam LaRoche.

LaRoche is currently hitting .247 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI, but does that solve the Red Sox problem?

Rumors have been swirling around for weeks about Epstein showing interest in catcher/ first basemen Victor Martinez.

Now that the Sox have acquired LaRoche, does that mean the Martinez heading to Boston rumors will die down? I don't think so.

The Red Sox are still in search for a big bat, and a possible replacement for catcher Jason Varitek, whose contract will expire at the end of this year. So I say that it still makes sense for the Red Sox to go after Martinez.

Mike Lowell cannot play everyday, so LaRoche can help out in that area, but the Red Sox still lack a little bit of power, so Martinez can help out in that area.

Martinez is a rare player who can play solid defense at catcher or at first base. He is also putting up some good offensive numbers this year, batting .289 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI.

If Martinez was to be traded to Boston, then the Red Sox would have to give up some prospects in return for the big bat.

Speculations have included Clay Buchholz, but I'm not too sure how he would be added to the trade. Maybe a player with the likes of Lars Anderson, I'm not sure.

Trade rumors have been said to be true, according to Boston Globe writer Nick Cafardo. "There has been talk among scouts that the Indians might be willing to deal 29-year-old catcher/first baseman/DH Victor Martinez for young pitching." 

So I assume that means Buchholz and some, possibly a Double A pitcher.

Epstein spoke to the media today and said, "I think we plan to be very active in discussions in talking to just about every club out there and pursuing every player who can make us better now and in the future."

So that possibly means that there is more to come, even a trade that involves swinging LaRoche over to Cleveland or somewhere else to acquire a bat. 

As July 31 comes closer, Boston fans should expect to see Penny or Buchholz being moved to either get a bat or some prospects.

Who knows what will happen this trading season. The Roy Halladay deadline posted by Toronto's GM J.P. Riccardi is coming closer too, so Halladay rumors will pick up in the upcoming days.

Keep your eye on the Red Sox this year. They are shopping just about everyone.