Red Sox Rumors: Penny, Bay, Lugo

The Boston Globe has posted a few notes today from Amalie Benjamin and Tony Massarotti.

• Massarotti says that between Daisuke Matsuzaka on the DL, the age John Smoltz (42) and Tim Wakefield (43), and not knowing how much Clay Buchholz can contribute, Brad Penny is "more valuable to the Red Sox than people may think" and there shouldn't be any urge to move him. Massarotti quotes Terry Francona, "We didn't sign him to trade him. We signed him to win. He’s worked hard. I only think it’s going to continue to get better."
• While Jason Bay isn't concerned about getting a contract done, Massarotti says the Sox "have every intention of revisiting talks with the outfielder before the end of the season, a baseball source has confirmed."
• Amalie Benjamin suggests that Jed Lowrie's return could mark the end of the Julio Lugo era in Boston. Before yesterday, Lugo had not started since June 14, ceding time to Nick Green who is making $8.5MM less. According to Benjamin, "…the shortstop would be foolish not to prepare for the possibility of being released. The Sox would be on the hook for his salary, and he could be signed by any club for the league minimum."