It never gets boring here in Red Sox Nation, does it?

First, of course, we have the Edgar Renteria trade to the Braves. Edgar never really got it going in Boston last season after being the Sox top free agent signing last winter. His defense was atrocious, leading the league with 30 errors, and he didn't make up for it with the bat, either, falling to well below his recent average production.

I don't have much of a problem with Edgar being shipped away after one season. He may flourish again in Atlanta, where it's warm and the fans there might not even realize Rafael Furcal is playing for the Dodgers until mid-May. I think Edgar fits better into the National League game as well, where his bunting and baserunning skills will be more appreciated. In fact, Edgar will probably be remembered best for his two-out bunt base hit against the Orioles last season prior to a Big Papi walk-off home run.

In return for Edgar the Sox get hot 3rd base prospect Andy Marte. Marte basically replaces Hanley Ramirez in the Red Sox farm system. He is projected as a 25-30 home run guy and has been voted the top fielding 3rd baseman in his leage the past four years. At this point I think he'll start the year in Pawtucket, but he might move to the outfield or 1st base depending on what other moves play out.

No sooner does Edgar go to the Braves than Orioles superstar shortstop Miguel Tejada pipes up that he doesn't like the direction (or lack thereof) in which the O's are heading and he wants to be traded. Baseball brains all over Boston started churning with thoughts of Manny for Miggy. It would work really well for the Sox. Tejada would fill the hole at shortstop, nearly replace Manny's production and would protect Ortiz in the lineup. Papi and Tejada are also best friends dating back to their childhood. The dollars left on their contracts are nearly the same, so in a lot of ways this is a perfect trade, at least from a Boston perspective. I'm not sure it would work so well for the Orioles. While Manny is a better hitter than Tejada, he is nowhere near the defensive player. The rumors have already started that the O's have asked for a pitching prospect in addition to Ramirez, with Johnathan Papelbon's name coming up. This would be a deal killer for me, although I would consider a second line pitching prospect like Abe Alvarez instead.

Finally, the rumors continue on the Return of Theo. The Globe said today that he would be coming back as a consultant, with Jed Hoyer and Ben Chernington sharing GM duties. The best part was when cartoonist Larry Johnson had this exchange on WEEI with Peter Gammons, courtesy of bostondirtdogs.com.

Larry Johnson: If Theo were still running the show, do you think he would have operated the same way in terms of endorsing...

Peter Gammons: You don't think he is?

LJ: I'm sorry...

Gammons: You don't think he is?

LJ: I don't know, is he?

Gammons: (four seconds of silence) Umm, yeah, he definitely would have operated the same way.

LJ: Do you think he still has some contact with them with input?

Gammons: Yes. I don't think there's any question... of course he talks to them, he's very good friends with them all.

Like I said, it never gets dull.