My "To Do" List For Theo Epstein

Congratulations are in order for Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. Constantly criticized for his bizarre exit/return to the Sox after the 2005 season, Epstein has rebuilt the team on the fly, making it younger and more explosive while also winning the 2007 AL East title and advancing to the ALCS. Of the four teams still playing baseball, the Red Sox are the clear favorite to capture the World Series. With that said, Theo's job for 2007 is officially over. There are no more moves he can make, it's time for Theo to begin focusing on 2008. To get Theo motivated, here is a list of things he needs to accomplish after the 2007 Red Sox win the World Series... 1. Sign Alex Rodriguez. I'm not the biggest A-Rod fan in the world but how can you not see that all Rodriguez needs is an escape from New York. The guy is dying to show all of those filthy Yankee fans that he is the superstar that Derek "No Rings Since Becoming Captain" Jeter is not and that he can win the big games. Adding A-Rod to a 2008 lineup that would feature Big Papi and Manny Ramirez is a no-brainer. And as for that rumored $30 million annual salary Rodriguez will ask for? Add the revenue streams from winning the Series, adding Rodriguez (a huge corporate favorite) and subtract the contracts of Mike Lowell (he'll be missed by TheBostonInsider) and Matt Clement and you have your cash. Plus, how sweet will it be to see the Yankees have to watch A-Rod crush their shitty pitching for the next decade? 2. Bring Joe Torre to Boston as an advisor Another shot at Steinbrenner and the sinking Yankees. Give Torre a cushy job while he waits for the Mets to dump Willie Randolph. Torre would be perfect for his knowledge of the game, the Yankees in particular. Watching Torre join Francona's staff at the 2008 All-Star Game -- to be played in the House that Frazee Built -- will be priceless. 3. Give Schilling $10 Million and the months of July and August off Big Schill is still a money pitcher. Theo needs to bring him back for one more year and allow Schill to rest up during the dog days of summer. It has worked wonders this year, Schill is a solid No. 2 horse behind Beckett. 4. Trade Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, Craig Hansen and Coco Crisp for Johan Santana Santana is too rich for Minnesota's blood and they need cheap, young talent in return for the perennial Cy Young favorite. Lester and Masterson could be punched right into the Twins rotation, Hansen would be a good arm in front of Joe Nathan and Crisp would replace the soon-to-depart Torii Hunter. Imagine Santana, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Schilling and Buchholz in the same rotation. Pitching in front of A-Rod, Papi and Ramirez. With Joe Torre smoking stoogies and sipping wine as the Red Sox complete the demise of Steinbrenner's Yankees. It should be reality. Get on that Theo.