Lately, the Sox have been reluctant to hand out multi-year contracts to older players, and Lowell will be looking for his last big contract, so I'm inclined to believe the Sox may look elsewhere. What are some other possibilities?
-- Brandon W., Auburn, Maine

The typical way the Red Sox handle free agents is that they set a value on that player and don't go very far above it, if at all. So, I guess to answer your question, if the club and Lowell have a similar view of what his value is, there's a good shot he'll be back in 2008 and beyond. But if there's a large gap, Lowell could go elsewhere. Lowell has been a tremendous cog for this team this year and it's hard to imagine the team without him. But we've said that about other players in the past, such as a certain center fielder who now makes his home in the Bronx.

A-Rod might just be the best player in baseball, so the Red Sox will at least see where the market is. My personal feeling is that it's going to be too lucrative an investment and that he'll either wind up back with the Yankees -- as one high-ranking Red Sox executive strongly believes -- or go to the West Coast. Cabrera is arbitration-eligible and I'm not so sure the Marlins would want to get rid of such a fine talent. One other option if Lowell leaves is moving Youkilis to third and finding a first baseman.

I was wondering if the Clay Buchholz callup was in time for him to be eligible for the postseason roster. Isn't it Sept. 1 that you have to be activated in order to be eligible? I believe he was activated on Sept. 1 which would not qualify. Would you be able to clarify this?
-- Brian R., Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Technically, that is the rule. However, there are ways around it. The Red Sox currently have two pitchers on the disabled list in Matt Clement and Brendan Donnelly. Assuming both of those players are still on the DL when the season ends, a pitcher from within the organization, such as Buchholz, could fill that roster spot in postseason play.

After seeing Buchholz throw a no-hitter Saturday night with Jason Varitek behind the plate, it occurred to me that this is the third time a Sox pitcher has thrown a no-hitter to Varitek. Which catcher in history leads this category?
-- Kevin J., Fort Mill, S.C.

Excellent question. Upon research, the answer will probably surprise most of you. A Hall of Famer named Ray Schalk holds the record by catching four no-hitters. Schalk played all but one of his 18 seasons with the Chicago White Sox before retiring in 1929.

I think J.D. Drew has been the biggest disappointment this year in regards to everything. Julio Lugo has more RBIs than him and he's a leadoff hitter. At least when Julio was in his 0-for-33 slump he looked like he was trying. Drew doesn't even seem like he cares. What are the specifics of his contract? Is there anyway we can trade him?
-- Jeff S., Manchester, N.H.

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First of all, you're correct. Drew has been a disappointment thus far. However, just because Drew is not a rah-rah guy by nature I think it's unfair to say he doesn't care. I've chatted with him enough this season to think that he does care.

For whatever reason, he's having a disappointing year. Is it injuries? The adjustment to playing in an environment like Boston? The adjustment to playing in the American League? The Red Sox have invested five years in Drew, so I think it's unfair to write it off as a bad signing in the midst of the first year. Maybe Drew will be the October hero of this team. Wouldn't that be ironic?

What do the Red Sox have in mind for Jacoby Ellsbury in terms of his Major League career?
-- Nancy W., Beverly, N.J.

The Red Sox view him as their center fielder of the future, and with good reason. The kid has loads of talent. The only question is when that future starts. Coco Crisp is under contract through 2009, so the Red Sox will have to make a decision this winter. If they decide Ellsbury is ready to be the Opening Day center fielder in 2008, perhaps they will explore other opportunities for Crisp.