Red Sox rumors: Boston focused on acquiring a starting pitcher

The Red Sox have yet to decide how aggressive they'll be before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline, but they're focused on adding a starting pitcher, wrote Comcast Sportsnet New England's Sean McAdam.

• The Red Sox -- 49-49 heading into Wednesday night's action -- will determine over the next few days whether they'll be buying or selling before Tuesday's 4:00 p.m. EST non-waiver trade deadline.
• After Wednesday night's game in Texas, Boston travels to New York for three games against the Yankees, before returning home to face Detroit. 
• The team is "engaged in a number of ongoing trade discussions," according to McAdam. 
• There were talks between the Red Sox and Marlins about Hanley Ramirez, but a deal was never close to being completed. 
• Boston wants to acquire a starting pitcher at the deadline, but one they can control beyond the 2012 season. That means they're unlikely to land Zack Greinke, as CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler tweeted earlier on Wednesday. 
• The Red Sox are interested in Josh Johnson, but the Marlins' asking price is thought to be too steep. 
• Teams have called Boston interested in Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. The Red Sox are unlikely to trade Lester, and Beckett has 10-5 rights, meaning he can block a potential trade. 
• There are concerns about Beckett's character, and McAdam notes that at least one AL contender has ruled out acquiring Beckett because of concerns over how he'd affect team chemistry.
• Teams have also called to inquire about the availability of Jacoby Ellsbury, Kelly Shoppach, and Ryan Sweeney. Ellsbury could be available in the offseason. 
• If the Red Sox pull off a few wins in a row, and seem postseason-bound by Tuesday, they won't jeapordize their chances for the season. They want to win now. 
• However, if Boston loses four of five leading to Tuesday's deadline, deals could be arranged at the last minute, as a number of discussions are already underway. 
• According to McAdam's source, teams are after the following Red Sox prospects: pitcher Matt Barnes, shortstop Jose Iglesias, outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr., infielder Xander Bogaerts, and catcher Ryan Lavarnway. 
• Barnes, in 19 starts and 94 innings in Class A this season, is 7-3 with a 2.30 ERA. He's struck out an impressive 113 batters. 
• Iglesias, in 65 games with Triple-A Pawtucket, has a .584 OPS, with one home run and 21 RBI.
• Jackie Bradley, Jr. has spent time in Class A and Double-A this season, and has put up impressive numbers in 101 combined games: .341/.452/.510, six home runs, 52 RBI, and 187 total bases.
• Bogaerts is batting .285/.359/.472 with Class A Salem this season, with 13 home runs and 53 RBI.
• Lavarnway has dominated Triple-A pitching this season, hitting .303/.386/.451 in 79 games, with eight home runs and 41 RBI. 
• McAdam notes that there have been no discussions among Red Sox staff whether to make any of these prospects available, meaning it's unlikely any of them are traded.