Up for debate

Jose Reyes is currently on the DL, but that hasn't stopped a debate in the Big Apple about whether or not the Mets' shortstop should be traded to Boston in a deal for young pitching

Matt Cerrone of Metsblog.com has posted a link to my story last week in which I brought up the possibility of the Red Sox trying to break up New York's "Big Three" by offering a deal that consists of Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Jed Lowrie.

Over 6,000 voters have had their say in New York today, and 81% "would consider it."

Red Sox fans should check out Metsblog.com and have their say, but I want to warn you. Be sure to read my story first.

Many of those commenting on Metsblog.com today are assuming that the Red Sox would be giving up too much to receive Reyes. But what they're not doing is reading the story and realizing that I'm basing the trade around signing Matt Holliday in the same offseason, and putting him in center.

To receive both Holliday and Reyes, and filling three holes - a power bat, an All Star shortstop, and an everyday leadoff hitter regardless of matchups - would be a huge offseason for the Red Sox, who missed out on that power bat of the future last winter by not signing Mark Teixeira.

They're also assuming that this is a deal that's actually on the table. Well, it's not. It's something I thought of, with regards to the future of this Red Sox team during a time in which we're seeing the decline of David Ortiz a serious need at shortstop.

And as much as Red Sox fans who have fallen in love with Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury would hate to admit it, if Theo Epstein wasn't thinking of the future now, which may include trading those two players for a proven All Star, then he wouldn't be doing his job.

I just threw this deal out there as a possibility. I've also thrown other possibilities out there, inluding a deal to acquire Hanley Ramirez. I include Buchholz and Ellsbury because these are the first two players other teams will ask for in return for one of their young studs they can no longer afford.

But it's good to know that people in New York would make this move, if it ever came to light that Reyes was on the block. Because there's no doubt the Red Sox will be looking for a shortstop this offseason. Seems like a perfect match to me.

So to Red Sox fans: Buchholz and Ellsbury could very well be involved in a deal this offseason. Whether it's a deal I came up with on my free time, or one Epstein creates on his own, it's a very strong possibility, given the big-name players that may be available, and the cheap youth the Red Sox have to offer.

Remember that history lesson I dropped on you? Deal with it.