25-year old switch hitting shortstop Jed Lowrie has been injured most of the last two years but when healthy he has been awful this season for the Red Sox. Lowrie has played in 28 games for the Red Sox this year and he is 9 for 59 (.153 avg, .449 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 homer and 7 RBIs. Lowrie has also whiffed 18 times this season showing that he’s not quite ready for prime time. The Red Sox might be beginning to wonder how much of an upside Lowrie really has.

The Red Sox have designated 27-year old lefty swinging 1B Chris Carter for assignment to make room on the roster for 25-year old lefty reliever Dustin Richardson. Carter played in 4 games for the Red Sox this year and he was 0 for 5 (.000 avg) with 1 RBI. He also played in 115 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 126 for 427 (.295 avg, .824 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 16 homers and 61 RBIs. Look for Carter to possibly be dealt to the Mets after the season is over when waivers aren’t required to make a trade. The Yankees claimed Carter who was supposed to be one of the players to be named later for Billy Wagner. Dustin Richardson pitched in 45 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball this season and he was 2-2 with 4 saves, a 2.55 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.

UPDATE: Chris Carter has been indeed traded to the New York Mets along with 20-year old switch hitting 1B Eddie Lora to complete the trade for Billy Wagner. Lora played in 34 games in Rookie Ball this season for the Red Sox and he was 22 for 99 (.222 avg, .701 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 7 RBIs. The Red Sox are happy with this trade as neither Carter nor Lora was considered a top prospect. That coupled with the fact that Wagner has been outstanding with the BoSox makes it a win for them. Wagner pitched in 15 games for the Red Sox after the trade and he was 1-1 with a 1.98 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He only allowed 8 hits while whiffing 22 batters in only 13 2/3 innings which shows his stuff is really back.

22-year old lefty swinging 1B Lars Anderson was the Red Sox’ top prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. But he was a bust this season in the minors. He played in 119 games in AA-ball this year and he was 104 for 447 (.233 avg, .673 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 9 homers and 51 RBIs. Anderson also whiffed 114 times this season in AA and that’s way too many for a 1B that lacks power. It will be interesting to see if Anderson rebounds next season or if he falls off the Red Sox’ radar for the future.

30-year old 1B/3B Kevin Youkilis is having another outstanding season for the Red Sox. He has played in 125 games for the Red Sox this season and he is 140 for 455 (.308 avg, .967 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 25 homers, 86 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Youkilis has been one of the most valuable players on the BoSox as he has played both 1B and 3B well in the field and his bat has been solid again.

31-year old righty swinging LF Jason Bay has been the man for the Red Sox this season. He has played in 140 games for the Red Sox this year and he is 133 for 494 (.269 avg, .943 OPS) with 98 runs scored, 36 homers, 113 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. With a lot of Red Sox hitters having off years the Red Sox have leaned on Bay and he has come through with flying colors. Bay has now played in 189 games in his career with the Red Sox and he is 187 for 678 (.276 avg, .931 OPS) with 137 runs scored, 45 homers, 150 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. The Red Sox should do whatever they can to keep Bay in Boston.