Recapping Day 2: Are the Red Sox better with Victorino?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The second day of the Winter Meetings is best described as quiet. Here's a summary: * Are the Red Sox a better team now that they've added Jonny Gomes, Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino? The Red Sox signed 32-year-old Victorino to play right field, alongside Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonny Gomes, who could end up DHing. Fenway Park's right field is spacious, so the Red Sox think Victorino, a centerfielder with the Phillies when they won the 2008 World Series, will do fine. Red Sox manager John Farrell said Fenway's right field might be in toughest in baseball. Victorino gives the Red Sox speed to go with Ellsbury at the top of the order, but Victorino has to bounce back from a slow 2012. The opinion here is that the Red Sox aren't going to turn the corner with these signings. * The most intriguing question of the day involved speculation of the Mets trading pitcher R.A. Dickey, the 2012 National League Cy Young Award winner. The argument for keeping him is the leadership, stability and innings he pitches that help a developing staff. The argument for trading Dickey is that he could bring premium players who would fill holes. The Mets need starters, a power hitter, a catcher and bullpen help. The Orioles are mentioned as a possible trade partner, but the Orioles would be better off with the pitching they have. I don't see a match. The Dodgers are a possible landing spot for Dickey. * The most ridiculous trade speculation of the day was the Diamondbacks trading outfielder Justin Upton to the Phillies for pitcher Cliff Lee. D-Backs manager Kirk Gibson said it isn't going to happen. And Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said the Phillies couldn't contend next season if they break up the big three of Lee, Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. * The leanest talent position on the market is third base. The Yankees, Cubs and White Sox each need a third baseman, and that means Kevin Youkilis, the best available, could get a rich contract after hitting .235 with 19 home runs for the Red Sox and White Sox. Imagine Youkilis, a legend in Boston, playing for the Yankees? The best names on the free agent list for third basemen include Jack Hannahan, Brandon Inge, Eric Chavez and Mark DeRosa. One idea: The Tigers are looking for a shortstop in trade market, and they would deal Jhonny Peralta, who could move to third base. * A year ago, the Miami Marlins were the big story at the Winter Meetings after spending millions on players they traded after a miserable season. Now, the Marlins are trying to trade new shortstop Yunel Escobar, who is set to make $5 million in 2013. Escobar is talented, but temperamental. * It's unusual for a player to attend the Winter Meetings, but that's what outfielder Josh Hamilton is doing. It could be that he's trying to drum up interest. Seattle has met with Hamilton. Now the question is whether the Yankees are in the mix: Some people think that the Yankees will trade outfielder Curtis Granderson to make room for Hamilton in the payroll. The Yankees, though, are trying to keep to their pledge of not going over the luxury-tax threshold for their 2013 payroll. * Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins came over to Jack Morris, a Hall candidate this year for the 14th time, and wished him well in the voting this month by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Morris, doing work for MLB.com, was at 66 percent last season and isn't speculating about whether or not he can get to the required 75 percent. "I don't want to get my expectations up so high and then have to come down,'' Morris said. * Tampa Bay general manager Andrew Friedman said there are a lot of possibilities for trades, but he's not sure anything will get done by the Rays before the Winter Meetings end. But, he said that when the team leaves Nashville on Thursday, the Rays would have more clarity on what their options are.