The Boston Red Sox added some depth a day after they dropped out of first in the AL East, and got rid of shortstop Julio Lugo in one of yesterday's deals.

The Red Sox traded Lugo and cash to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Chris Duncan, announcing the swap hours after they acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from Pittsburgh for two minor leaguers.

Lugo, who signed a $36 million, four-year free-agent deal before the 2007 season, was designated for assignment Friday and is owed about $13 million through next season.

General manager Theo Epstein has called Lugo's contract "a mistake" and "a lesson learned."

Duncan, the son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, hit .227 with five homers and 32 RBIs in 87 games for St. Louis. The Cardinals had optioned Duncan to Triple-A Memphis after Tuesday night's game in Houston. The Red Sox sent the 28-year-old outfielder to their top affiliate, Pawtucket.

Lugo, who provides St. Louis with middle infield depth, was batting .284 with one homer and eight RBIs in 37 games, with seven errors.

"We're optimistic that he will respond positively to a fresh start here in St. Louis," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said.

Boston made the deals a day after losing the division lead for the first time since June 9.

LaRoche hit .247 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs in 87 games for the Pirates. He will join the Red Sox, who are off today, for the opener of their next series, tomorrow night against Baltimore at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox sent Double-A shortstop Argenis Diaz and Class-A right-hander Hunter Strickland to Pittsburgh.

The Red Sox also announced they are retiring Jim Rice's No. 14 jersey. The team said yesterday it will honor Rice in a ceremony at Fenway Park on Tuesday, two days after Rice is inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame. It will be the seventh number retired by the Red Sox.

METS

METS TO INVESTIGATE VP'S ALLEGED OUTBURST

The New York Mets plan to investigate reports that vice president of player development Tony Bernazard challenged members of their Double-A Binghamton affiliate to fight him during a postgame tirade.

"We do take these matters seriously and we are going to investigate these reports," general manager Omar Minaya said yesterday before the Mets finished a three-game series at Washington. "We need to follow up and we plan on doing that."

The New York Daily News, citing unidentified sources, reported that Bernazard, while visiting the Binghamton Mets early this month, removed his shirt during a clubhouse meeting with players, then challenged them to fisticuffs. Bernazard reportedly directed much of his anger at infielder Jose Coronado, the newspaper said.

Minaya told the newspaper he was aware of the meeting and acknowledged that Bernazard spoke to the minor leaguers in "a stern voice," but said he wasn't privy to details of the reported blowup.

Minaya refused to detail how the investigation would be handled, how long it would take or what possible disciplinary actions could be taken against the 52-year-old Bernazard, who has held his current position since December 2004.

ELSEWHERE

Twins: Minnesota optioned right-hander Kevin Mulvey to Triple-A Rochester after yesterday's loss to Oakland and will recall righty Jesse Crain. Mulvey allowed four runs and six hits in one inning of relief in Minnesota's 16-1 loss to the Athletics. He pitched in only one other game since being called up to the majors last week, retiring the only batter he faced Monday against the A's.

Nationals: Rookie right-hander Jordan Zimmermann was placed on the 15-day disabled list by Washington, which recalled right-hander Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse to start today against St. Louis. The moves were announced last night.