Red Sox to trade for Victor Martinez?

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Red Sox are contemplating a trade for Victor Marintez.

V-Mart to Red Sox?

I would definitely support a trade for Victor. Although I think David Ortiz will bounce back from his awful start, the Red Sox front office shouldn't expect another AL MVP caliber season from him ever again. Ortiz has turned into a 25 HR, 90 RBI player at best. In order to have a successfully functioning offense, we need more production than that from the #3 hitter in the lineup.

With the acquisition of Martinez, it would help give off days to three specific players: Varitek, Lowell and Ortiz. Martinez would be able to play both catcher and 1B, giving some much needed rest to Varitek. If V-Mart spent a game at 1B, it would allow Youkilis to shift over to 3B and give Lowell's hip a day off, too. Of course, Martinez could also give Ortiz a rest from DHing.

While I would like the Sox to acquire a player of Martinez's caliber, the Red Sox should not forfeit the farm system to do so. I am okay with trading Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, and a second-tier offensive player. Trading Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Lars Anderson, however, would simply be too much. Theo and the front office greatly value their developing players and will not be pushed around. Unless a deal is there at the right price, the Red Sox will pass. The farther the Indians fall out of contention, the more leverage the Red Sox gain.

With all of this said, the Indians have to be willing to trade him. As Rosenthal notes, the Indians are still trying to win this year and are wary of losing their fanbase for next season as well.

With Martinez under control through 2010, I think a trade is unlikely this year. By holding off, the Red Sox give their farm system another year to develop, enabling the front office a better understanding of the talent these prospects possess.

I think the Red Sox have enough depth in their lineup that the David Ortiz problem can be fixed internally. If Ortiz does not bounce back, the Sox will be forced to push him down in the order. This would likely result in Jason Bay hitting 3rd, and Ortiz hitting 5th. After seeing what Bay has done so far this season, this may be the best move for the team regardless of whether or not Ortiz begins to swing the bat.