Red Sox Ramblings

Although I am warming up to the thought of having both JD Drew and Julio Lugo in Boston, there are still some lingering issues that I can't understand. First off, how is Drew -- a talented hitter and fielder who misses far too much time on the field -- worth a 5-year/$70-million contract this winter when Johnny Damon -- a talented hitter and fielder who gave his heart and soul to the Red Sox -- wasn't worth a 4-year/$52-million contract last winter? Theo had better hope Drew plays in 145-games (or more) and produces while protecting Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz in the BoSox lineup. My next issue deals with Lugo. When I looked his career stats up on the Baseball Reference website, I was impressed but not blown away. A career BA of .277, an OBP of .340, and an OPS of .742 are nice numbers but for a 31-year-old shortstop making $9-million-per-year for the next four years, one wouldn't be wrong is desiring a little more. However, on the side of Lugo (and Theo), hiting in front of Big Papi, Manny, and (hopefully) Drew should give him some favorable pitches to hack at. As for what to do at closer .. who knows. What we all know in Red Sox Nation is that Theo has not had much success in building a bullpen. Other than Keith Foulke and Mike Timlin, the relief corps has been a black eye on Epstein's resume. Boston's interest in Eric Gagne is intriguing but there is the injury factor with the 2003 NL Cy Young winner. I love to read that they are inquiring about Pirates lefty Mike Gonzalez, though Pittsburgh won't let him go cheaply, if at all. There is a glimmer of hope that Craig Hansen or Manny Delcarmen could do the job but teams that rely on glimmers of hope at closer usually are waiting for Santa Claus to deliver them a starting pitcher. There was some light rumors of the Red Sox talking to Roger Clemens about closing but that seems to far fetched for even an idiot like myself to believe. I say go after Clemens to start, sign Matsuzaka, and add those two to Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield/Jon Lester and keep Papelbon at closer for one more year. We'll see. As for trades to improve the bullpen, both Kevin Youkilis and Coco Crisp should be available. Youkilis is a favorite of A's GM Billy Beane and Oakland always has plenty of arms at their disposal. Crisp will also stir some interest, especially from teams with young arms (Florida) looking for a young, affordable centerfielder.