If Red Sox want to deal, they have plenty to trade

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Major League Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline is still three weeks away, but two deals in the last two days -- Tuesday's that sent Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs, hard on the heels of Monday's trade that shipped C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee -- make it obvious: trading season is here. The Boston Red Sox' interest in Harden was slight, given their concern about his durability (six DL stints in six seasons, including one earlier this year). Their talks with Cleveland lasted as long it took the Indians to request Class AA right-hander Michael Bowden and A outfielder Josh Reddick, at which point the Red Sox determined the asking price was too high. Now that Harden and Sabathia are gone, there isn't much in the starting pitching market to tempt Boston. For that matter, the available relief arms may be cost prohibitive and the team's need for a bat may not be determined until they know if David Ortiz can fully come back from his wrist injury. Ideally, the Red Sox would like to fill some future holes -- catching, to be specific -- but for teams in contention, making in-season deals for prospects can be highly problematic. It's unknown then, what Boston might be prioritizing in their trade talks. But what is known is that they're dealing from a position of strength. The Red Sox' farm system might not rival Tampa Bay's or Milwaukee's in terms of tradable prospects, but they have enough to interest teams and make deals. It helps, too, that so many of the prospects dealt away in recent years (Hanley Ramirez, David Murphy, Cla Meredith, Kelly Shoppach and Freddy Sanchez) have flourished at the big-league level. That indicates to interested teams that Boston prospects aren't overrated or overvalued. Based on conversations with evaluators both within and outside the organization, here is a look at the prospects the Red Sox are going to be asked the most about over the next three weeks. The list is compiled without the inclusion of the players who have made their major-league debuts and are deemed untouchable by the Red Sox, including outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and pitchers Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson.ELITE PROSPECTS: These players, at various stages of development, are considered can't-miss impact guys (with current team in parentheses). -- RHP Michael Bowden (Class AA Portland): Bowden is a power pitcher dominating the Eastern League and will probably be promoted to AAA Pawtucket not long after the break. Beyond Buchholz, Bowden is the most touted starting pitching prospect in the Red Sox organization, and as such, it would be shocking to see them give him up in a deal. -- 1B Lars Anderson (Class A Lancaster): Anderson has a picture-perfect lefty swing and stands to be the team's first baseman of the future -- starting, say, in 2011. At this point, Anderson is the team's most valued position player. -- OF Josh Reddick (Lancaster): Reddick has begun to attract scouts' attention with his play at the advanced Class A California League, where he's hitting .344 with 15 HRs and.52 RBIs in 66 games. Even allowing for the high desert air at Clear Channel Stadium, those are remarkable numbers. -- OF Ryan Kalish (Class A Greenville): Kalish's name first surfaced last winter when he was said to be among the players being asked for by the Minnesota Twins in a deal for Johan Santana. His speed and outfield play make him a well-rounded player. Though physically bigger, he's been compared to J.D. Drew.-- INF Jed Lowrie (Pawtucket): While there is debate about his best position, has already shown that he can play at the big-league level.NEXT LEVEL DOWN:These players are highly valued, but not enough to bring an established in-demand player by themselves. -- LHP Kris Johnson (Portland): The most prized lefty in the organization just now fully regaining his full arm strength after Tommy John surgery in college. -- RHP Daniel Bard (Portland): Now that Bard has finally harnessed his command and projects as either a closer or starter, his value has been re-established. -- SS Oscar Tejeda (Greenville): Raw and very young (19), but astounding skill set. If his power develops, he could be a five-tool middle-infield star. -- OF Che-Hsuan Lin (Greenville): Signed as a free agent from Taiwan, Lin has exceptional speed and an outstanding arm, though he is still developing at the plate. Good enough for an invite to the upcoming Futures Game. -- C Mark Wagner (Portland): Wagner hasn't started to hit yet, but is fundamentally sound behind the plate and that alone attracts attention.COULD DRAW INTEREST:These players won't be the centerpiece of any deals, but could be complementary players included to make the overall package more attractive. -- OF Brandon Moss (Boston): Some see him as a fourth outfielder, but others think his ceiling is higher than David Murphy, who has 14 homers and 72 RBI in 129 games with Texas. -- RHP David Pauley (Pawtucket): His stuff isn't dominant, but Pauley could project as competent back-end starter. Quietly, he's 11-2, 3.38 ERA in cozy McCoy Stadium. -- OF/DH Chris Carter (Pawtucket): Two negatives are his defense and his age (25), but he can hit.(Contact Sean McAdam at smcadam@projo.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)