Pivotal week in the best division in baseball, the AL East: The Red Sox, winners of four straight, travel to Tampa tonight for two games. It’ll be Lester vs. Garza followed by Penny vs. Price. Boston’s half a game back of New York; the Rays are 5.5 out. (Texas, with flamethrowing Neftali Perez just called up from the minors, is lurking in the Wild Card mix.) After Tampa, Boston goes to the Bronx for a 4-game set with the Yankees, who it is 8-0 against this season. (After that series, Boston plays two other postseason contenders, Detroit and Texas.) There appears to be some panic in Boston.

There wouldn’t be, had the Red Sox been able to trade for Felix Hernandez.

I’m told the Red Sox apparently approached the Mariners and first tried to do a Hernandez trade with Seattle exclusively. Boston wanted Hernandez and gave the Mariners a list of eight prospects, from which Seattle would be allowed to pick any five.
RHP Clay Buchholz
RHP Daniel Bard
RHP Justin Masterson
LHP Nick Hagadone
RHP Michael Bowden
LHP Felix Doubront
OF Josh Reddick
SS Yamaico Navarro

The Mariners also passed on a 3-way deal involving the Padres and Red Sox that would have netted Seattle Adrian Gonzalez and a “few” Boston prospects. Why would Seattle pass on five guys for King Felix, who is having his best season in the majors? It seems like Boston was ready to part with most of its prized players on the farm. Based on the comments on the Seattle Times story, fans aren’t thrilled with what went down.

Somebody should ask Bill James his thoughts on the deal that didn’t happen. You know, since he’s carrying water for Boston, and all.