updated 5:40 p.m. ET Dec. 8, 2005

The Boston Red Sox will have a whole new infield next season, and they’re only halfway there.

The 2004 World Series champions traded Edgar Renteria to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday for third base prospect Andy Marte, giving up on the two-time Gold Glove shortstop just one year after making him the centerpiece of their effort to repeat.

“There was an adjustment period that may have lasted longer than you had hoped,” said Bill Lajoie, who was one of four Red Sox executives at the winter meetings in the absence of a general manager. “The Braves feel he will become the shortstop of his earlier years, and I hope he does.”

Renteria led the majors with 30 errors last season, his first since then-Boston GM Theo Epstein lavished a four-year, $40 million contract on him. He was the only regular infielder remaining from last season: first baseman Kevin Millar, second baseman Tony Graffanino and third baseman Bill Mueller are all free agents.

The Red Sox got Mike Lowell from Florida to play third and Mark Loretta from Milwaukee to play second, but they are still looking for a shortstop and first baseman.

“We came here to make one trade and we made two,” Lajoie said. “So that’s pretty good.”

Lajoie said he hoped to finish off the infield in the next two or three weeks. But then he might have to turn to the outfield: center fielder Johnny Damon is a free agent and left fielder Manny Ramirez has asked for a trade.

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Left-hander David Wells also asked to be traded. Lajoie said he wasn’t disappointed that he wasn’t able to accommodate Wells or Ramirez.

“I like those two guys,” Lajoie said. “I like them on our team.”

Soon after undoing one of former Epstein’s worst moves, the Red Sox began rethinking one of his best. Lajoie said the team has considered bringing back Nomar Garciaparra — but not as a shortstop.

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Garciaparra was one of the most popular players in recent Red Sox history before he was shipped out at the 2004 trading deadline; the Red Sox went on to win their first World Series title in 86 years. But he is a free agent now, and willing to play any position but pitcher and catcher.

At shortstop, Lajoie said he was looking at free agents who were not offered arbitration, a group that includes Alex Gonzalez, Royce Clayton, Pokey Reese and Rey Sanchez. Marte could wind up at first base or the outfield if it’s necessary to get his bat in the lineup, Lajoie said.

“We want to keep that player. ... He’s ready to have a good year,” he said. “He would be one of the five players you would want to start a ballclub with.”

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