Clearing the Bases

The Portland Sea Dogs announced that Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie will be the guest speaker at their annual Hot Stove Dinner, Jan. 15, at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland.

With the Red Sox apparently set at catcher with Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek, Boston released catcher George Kotttaras, soxprospects.com reported.

There seemed to be a gap in the Red Sox minor league system, with few prospects at the upper levels this past season.

Among the hot stove topics for the Red Sox are whether they will re-sign shortstop Alex Gonzalez (after turning down his $6-million option), and will they trade for San Diego first baseman Adrian G

After Theo Epstein declared that Victor Martinez was the No. 1 catcher, Jason Varitek knows he will be a back-up.

But at $3-million, it's not a bad gig.

The Boston Red Sox made four moves official today:

1. Picking up catcher Victor Martinez's 2010 option for $7.1-million

The Boston Red Sox spent almost $2-million on a shortstop last July. But Jose Vinicio is only 16-years-old. Let's go out on a limb and say he won't be major league ready for 2010.

Portland Sea Dogs tickets for 2010 go on sale Saturday. Some of the more popular dates will involve the bobblehead giveaways.

Among next year's bobbleheads is Adrian Gonzalez (July 22).

The Boston Red Sox traded minor league pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez to the Florida Marlins for outfielder Jeremy Hermida. Getting ready for life without Jason Bay?

Among the emails that baseball writers receive are PR  plugs for books, charity events and, lately, performance coaches.  Jim Fannin,  advertised as a "pioneering m