Change The Sox

Thanks in part to a near-Biblical spate of injuries culminating with the loss of first baseman Kevin Youkilis for the season with a torn right-thumb muscle, the Red Sox were seven games out of first at week's end and 4½ games out of the AL wild card. With the Aug. 31 waiver deadline approaching, Boston needs to be a seller. Catcher Victor Martinez is a free agent at the end of the year, and third baseman Adrian Beltre(below), holding a player option, is likely to become one. Both could help contenders desperate for offense. The development of Daniel Bard has also made All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon expendable. Having declined precipitously over the last two seasons, Papelbon should be moved before his value drops too far.

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WINSLOW TOWNSON (BELTRE)