Some Updates For Theo's "List"

Three weeks ago today, I wrote a to-do list for Theo Epstein. It had four points: sign Alex Rodriguez, bring Joe Torre in as an advisor, re-sign Curt Schilling and trade for Johan Santana. Here is the updated list: 1. Re-sign Mike Lowell. Lowell is a perfect fit in Boston, kind of like Mike Vrabel. The Red Sox need to offer him 3-years and $39-million as soon as he departs his Duck Boat today. 2. Re-sign Curt Schilling. Nothing has changed since last time except the price. Give Schill the $13-million he asked for in March, allow him to take at least six weeks off in the summer of 2008 and prepare to have him pitching when it counts the most next October. 3. Trade Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, Craig Hansen and Coco Crisp for Johan SantanaSantana 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. Nothing has changed in the last three weeks. I love Lester and the futures of Masterson and Hansen but if the opportunity to acquire Santana emerges, the Red Sox must strike. 4. Give pitching coach John Farrell a hefty raise. A raise won't keep Farrell from becoming a big league manager but if he is to stay in Boston another year, the man has earned some extra cash. 5. Find a young catcher. Varitek is a beast but his legs are old. Finding a promising young backstop (Jarrod Saltalamacchia?) will allow 'Tek to gracefully fade into the background. Five offseason predictions: 1. Alex Rodriguez signs with the Angels. 2. Andruw Jones signs with the Orioles. 3. Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada join Joe Torre in Los Angeles. 4. Jonathan Papelbon will get paid. 5. Tim Wakefield will retire. Three things you will not hear this offseason: 1. "Alex turned down money so he could be a part of a World Series champion." 2. "Mr. Steinbrenner is still in charge of day-to-day operations." 3. "Manny Ramirez will receive an honorary degree from MIT." One 2008 World Series thought: The Red Sox, powered by Josh Beckett's no-hitter, will defeat the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the World Series at Fenway Park.