Cabrera's Return to Boston Unlikely

Rumors have been circulating about Orlando Cabrera's possible return to Boston. But don't count on it. Here's why:

1. This Isn't 2004. Cabrera is simply not, at age 34, the same player he was five years ago. He's batting .236 and he's already committed eight errors. By contrast, while Julio Lugo "only" has 4 errors, he's played less than half the games that Cabrera has. This tells me one thing: Lugo has an outside chance (really, really outside) at playing better and raising his average with more time on the field, whereas, Cabrera, who has played every day, has shown himself for what he is at this stage of his career.

2. Money. The Sox would have to take on about $2.5 million in Cabrera's remaining salary in addition to the $9 million they're handing over to Lugo--not to mention the short money they're paying Nick Green and Jed Lowrie. That's about $13 million committed to four shortstops, none of whom is producing on the field or at the plate this season.

3. Cabrera's Exit. To this day, you'll find threads on forums discussing the mystery of the Red Sox's decision not to bring back Cabrera for the 2005 season. Very few of the rumors talk about Theo Epstein's preference for Edgar Renteria over Cabrera. Instead there's chatter about partying and inappropriate behavior, none of which has been officially confirmed or denied by any reliable news sources.

So for now, expect the bumbling Julio Lugo and the inept Nick Green to add gray hairs and extra pitches for Boston's starters until Jed Lowrie returns from the DL in three to four weeks.