Dice-K for Andre Ethier?

Trading Dice-K for Andre Ethier of the Los Angeles Dodgers is a long shot, but could still happen. Ethier is a left handed outfielder who can hit for power and average. He has been with the Dodgers since he was 1st called up in May of 2006, and hasn't looked back since. According to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com, Ethier has told friends that the Boston Red Sox would be one team he would like to play for. He is friends with Dustin Pedroia as both played for Arizona State University. Ethier has been very involved with humanitarian community causes in Los Angeles during his time there so far.

Although Ethier is under contract for 2011 at $9.25 million and isn't eligible for free agency until 2013, and Dice-K has a full no-trade clause, the trade could still happen. It is presumed that the Dodgers might be one of the teams that Dice-K would waive the clause for, as it would move him closer to his native Japan, and the Dodgers have had Japanese players on their roster going back to Hideo Nomo in 1995. The Dodgers are in a financial quagmire due to the proceedings in the divorce case of primary owners Frank and Jamie McCourt. Ned Coletti, GM of the Dodgers, has said the team will be active in the trade market this winter.

Ethier has a career AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS line of .290/.361/.490/.851, with a .982 FPCT. In his rookie year in 2006, he played in 126 games. Since then he has played in no less than 141 games in a complete season. He has played  in 123 games so far this year. His power has dropped a bit this year due to a fractured bone at the tip of one of his fingers, but he has maintained his average of .286 this year close to his lifetime average. In 2009 he hit 31 HR's in 160 games, and has 21 HR's this season so far. In 2009, he led MLB with 6 walk-off hits, including a MLB best 4 walk-off HR's, which tied Jimmie Foxx of the 1940 Red Sox with the MLB record for most walk-off homers in a season.

The Red Sox already have a viable 5th starting pitcher option in Tim Wakefield (I don't want to hear any trash-talking about Wake) for 2011, and will be looking to upgrade power options in the outfield positions.

In Theo we trust.