01:00 AM EST on Saturday, November 26, 2005

How Craig Shipley, the Red Sox' special assistant to the general manager, responded when asked for a scouting report of the three players acquired in this week's trade:

JOSH BECKETT, starting pitcher: "A top-of-the-rotation starter . . . he's 25 with a great delivery and super stuff . . . three-plus pitches . . . great makeup . . . he's been a big-game pitcher . . . I think he'll go into the top of our rotation and make an impact."

MIKE LOWELL, third baseman: "A quality defensive player . . . a very good offensive player who had an off-year . . . we expect him to bounce back."

GUILLERMO MOTA, relief picther: "One of the premier setup men in the game . . . past year was not as good as 2003 and '04, but there's nothing wrong with his arm . . . velocity's there."