This week's lineup

This is a new feature for the lineup card, which should be a standard from now on. Every week we'll give you a list of nine questions we hope can be answered going forward. 

The managers have just convened, and here's the lineup for this week; the special trade deadline edition.

1. Who's out there for bullpen help? 

Leading off, we must address the bullpen, the biggest concern for the rest of the season. Justin Masterson might turn into a reliable arm down the road, but the Sox are going to need to go outside the organization to address the need. Houston's Doug Brocail has come up in conversations today.

2. Will Manny stay or go?

Everyone is tired of his act off the field, but no one is tired of his production on the field. No. 24 hit his 20th HR of the year for the 14th consecutive season last night. If he goes, there will be a serious void to fill in the lineup, so Boston better get some serious talent back in return.

3. Will Big Papi stay healthy all year?

Wrist injuries are always scary, especially for a guy who gets paid just to hit the ball. The bad news is the injury will be there all season, all the Sox can do is manage it. The good news is, it's his left wrist that's hurt, which is not the hand he gets his power from. 

4. Who will hit cleanup?

If Manny's not the cleanup hitter by week's end, Theo and Co. better find a viable replacement from outside the organization to fill his spot in the lineup. If not, Ortiz will be the next Vlad Guerrero from 2004-2007; a great player who gets pitched around in every big situation. Is it Mark Texiera or Matt Holliday? It better not be Coco Crisp.

5. Which prospects can be used as bait?

All the teams will be asking for guys like Masterson and Clay Buchholz, but Boston is unlikely to move players who are essential to their Major League club. Michael Bowden (SP) is an attractive chip, along with Lars Anderson (1B), Ryan Callish (OF), Daniel Bard (SP) and Jason Place (OF).

6. Can Bowden help the big club in 2008?

If he doesn't go anywhere in a trade, and the Red Sox fail to pick up another bullpen arm, Bowden could be an answer. It's risky to pin high hopes on a prospect, but Bowden has had success in Portland (9-4, 2.33 ERA) and now Pawtucket (0-2, 3.60 ERA). 

7. Will the Sox add a catcher?

I know his leadership is invaluable, but his offense has been nonexistent this year. At 36, he's not the same player he was a few years ago, and there's no legitimate alternative to him behind the plate. Kevin Cash is valuable to the team as Tim Wakefield's catcher, which makes it less likely they will address their catching needs at the deadline.

8. Is Jed Lowrie good enough to play SS every day?

He's going to hit better than Julio Lugo (like that's hard), and considering Lugo's made 16 errors already this season, he will probably field just as well if not better. His play could convince the Sox not to make a panic move and overpay for a SS (see Miguel Tejada).

9. Is Coco going anywhere?

He's been a valuable part of the team this year. The Ortiz injury and subsequent Manny "injuries" meant the Sox needed another OF, and Crisp happily took the playing time. But now that Ortiz is back, and Brandon Moss is healthy as a potential fourth OF, the time might be now for a move.