At the trade deadline the Boston Red Sox reportedly inquired on Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.  GM Jack Zduriencik wasn’t inclined to move him, and by some accounts the talks never went anywhere.  However, there was a report about a blockbuster deal that would have sent Felix to Boston, San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez to Seattle and several young Red Sox divided between the two west coast cities.  These rumors, if I recall correctly, were shot down by Zduriencik, who claimed any offers he received were laughable.

Since then, the Boston media has been enamored with the idea of Felix twirling his magic at Fenway Park, and have used a ton of words talking about how the Red Sox might take another run at the Cy Young contender again this winter.  Sure, the Red Sox may call Zduriencik up again, but does that mean anything?  This is the same Boston media that thinks if they write that Joe Mauer will sign with Boston prior to 2011 a twenty six thousand times then it will happen.

Indeed, nothing substantial regarding Boston and King Felix has come out of the rumor mill since the deadline outside of “the Red Sox have interest,” and lots of speculation.  For every speculatory blurb labeled as a “rumor” I’ve gotten questions about what the Mariners may do or who they may ask for, and for the most part I’ve responded that Boston certainly has some interesting pieces, but we’ve learned over the last year that Zduriencik isn’t about to make any typical rebuilding moves.  He’s not going to deal a player, especially a cornerstone like Felix, for five minor leaguers.  Can Boston give up (or do they even possess) the immediate return Zduriencik would require should he decide to move Felix?

ESPN’s Keith Law asks the same question over at Rumor Central:

Although the Red Sox continue to restock their farm system with strong drafts, they’re thin right now in major-league ready prospects, and it seems likely that Seattle would want at least two such players in any deal for King Felix, if not more. The Sox could offer Clay Buchholz as the centerpiece, but none of their hitting prospects is close enough to be the other main prospect in such a trade.

Boston fans who are convinced Felix will be a member of the Red Sox in 2010 will undoubtedly scoff at this, but I wholeheartedly agree.

If Zduriencik was going to go out and make a traditional rebuilding move he very well may be able to get something done with Clay Bucholz, Ryan Westmoreland, Casey Kelly, Lars Anderson and others, but without any young contributors coming back Seattle’s way (beyond Buchholz, and no, Jed Lowrie wouldn’t carry much weight, although he’d make for some nice added depth) I don’t really see these two teams working something out any time soon.  A three way deal would almost certainly have to be worked out for Felix to wind up in Boston.

All said, I don’t really see Zduriencik dealing Felix this winter under any circumstances, even if an extension is not an option.  There is still time to deal him for a big haul down the road if he’s hellbent on becoming a free agent.