"The Red Sox will be watching closely tonight when Erik Bedard takes the mound for the Mariners against the Rays. The lefthander may be the key to the Sox' plans for the trade deadline.

With Clay Buchholz dealing with a back injury that could keep him out for the remainder of the season, the Sox are trying to obtain a starter before Sunday's non-waiver deadline, according to major league sources.

Bedard, 32, is 4-6 with a 3.00 earned run average in 15 starts and has only $352,000 remaining on his contract for this season. He has made just 45 starts over the last four seasons because of injuries, but has five years of experience in the American League East, having started his career with Baltimore.

Bedard has a 4.32 ERA in 13 appearances against the Yankees and a 3.22 ERA in 13 starts against the Rangers, possible playoff opponents for the Red Sox.

A free agent at the end of the season, Bedard would presumably be motivated to perform well.

Other teams that need a starter, including the Yankees, have an interest in Bedard. But the Yankees appear to have focused their efforts on Dodgers righthander Hiroki Kuroda. The Red Sox also have an interest in Kuroda."