Red Sox Winter Plans

It has been a week since the Phillies knocked of the Rays to win the World Series the general managers meetings are ongoing and free agency officially opens a week from today. So, where do the Red Sox stand? Coming off a 95-win season, the A.L. Wild Card and a loss in Game 7 of the ALCS, the Red Sox find themselves in a precarious position. They are loaded with young talent at both the major league level and in the minors but they also have a strong veteran presence that was the backbone of their World Series teams in 2004 and 2007. Theo Epstein has to figure out a way to keep his team in contention for the 2009 World Series while also keeping his system fully stocked for the next decade. It will not be an easy task but with the Rays, Yankees and Blue Jays breathing down their necks in the A.L. East, it is a job in which Epstein can not afford to fail. There are plenty of rumors swirling around the team. There are plenty of options for Epstein. Here is the direction in which I think the Red Sox will go this winter. Catcher Jason Varitek is a free agent and the notorious Scott Boras will do anything to get 'Tek a long-term, high paying deal. The contributions of Varitek go far beyond what he does (or does not) do with a bat in his hand (.220 BA, 13 HR, 43 RBI, .672 OPS) but there is no way the Red Sox should, or will, meet the opening request of Boras. Boras believes 'Tek deserves a deal similar to that of what Jorge Posada signed last winter, something in the range of 4-years and $52 million. Not going to happen. I do believe that Varitek will agree to return for a 2-year deal with a possible option for a third year with an average value of $8-10 million. The Sox still need a long term solution to replace Varitek. I expect the team to make a deal with the Texas Rangers, a team rich with young catching talent. Jarrod Saltalamacchia could be the answer. Mark Teixeira Along with Manny Ramirez, Teixeira is the biggest available bat on the free agent market. Teixeira helped lead the Angels to the A.L. West title after being traded their in July and posted .358/13/43/1.081 in 54 games. There are rumors of Teixeira being a target of the Red Sox but to acquire the switch-hitting 28-year-old, the Red Sox would need to move Mike Lowell (and move Kevin Youkilis to third base), Youkilis, or David Ortiz. I doubt the Red Sox would give away A.L. MVP candidate Youkilis or Ortiz and moving Lowell will be complicated because he is coming off major hip surgery. Also, bringing in Teixeira at the cost of Youkilis, Ortiz, or Lowell will impact the chemistry in the Red Sox lockerroom. Unless the Sox are willing to make a major transition with their team, I don't see Teixeira coming to Boston. Coco Crisp Coco Crisp, the perfect fourth outfielder, will probably be moved by the Red Sox this winter. He had a successful season at the plate (.283/7/41/.751) and is a Gold Glove-caliber centerfielder. The reason for his availability is that he can become a free agent after '09 and will not likely re-sign with Boston because of Jacoby Ellsbury. The Sox have many options with Crisp. He could be used to add a young catcher, a starting pitcher, or help for the bullpen. Jake Peavy Padres GM Kevin Towers has admitted that Peavy's time in San Diego is done and that he will move the elite righty in order to rebuild his team. Peavy has a complete no-trade clause and must approve any trade. If the Red Sox could get him to accept a trade to the East Coast and A.L., they could offer a package of Crisp, Clay Buchholz, and maybe Lowell (if the Sox eat some of his money). Crisp would give the Padres a solid centerfielder, a young starting pitcher, and a veteran presence who can still hit and play Gold Glove-quality defense at third base. Moving Lowell would also give the Red Sox the opening they need to sign Mark Teixeira. I doubt that Peavy will come to Boston but the Red Sox have made some legendary pitching acquisitions over the last eleven years (Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka) so I wouldn't completely rule this out. Imagine a 2009 rotation of Beckett, Peavy, Jon Lester, Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield. Wow! Peavy will most likely land with the Braves or Cubs. If the Red Sox go after a starter, Junichi Tazawa is the name we will probably be hearing about. Derek Lowe is another name that would interest me. Bullpen The Red Sox have one of the best young bullpens in baseball. Jonathan Papelbon is an All-Star closer, Manny Delcarmen and Justin Masterson are young, power arms, Hideki Okajima is a crafty lefty who gets batters out from both sides of the plate, and Javier Lopez provides a lefty specialist. What the Red Sox need is depth. They will most likely cut ties with free agent Mike Timlin after six mostly great years with the team. The Sox could give bullpen jobs to minor leaguers Daniel Bard or Michael Bowden but they would be smart to spend a little money to add some arms. Some names to consider are Brian Fuentes, Chad Cordero, Damaso Marte, and Juan Cruz. Long Term Contracts The Red Sox are flush with cash, mainly because their farm system is producing major league talent that makes very little money. The team needs to come to terms on long term deals with some of their top younger talent this winter. Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, Youkilis, and Jon Lester are all worthy of contracts that give them financial security without breaking the Red Sox payroll. Bench I hope to see a return of Alex Cora. He is a steady replacement at second base and shortstop. I expect to see Kevin Cash back for at least spring training. If Wakefield is around, someone needs to at least train the possible new guy(s) to catch the knuckleball. Sean Casey is probably done with the Sox. I would like to see Epstein bring back Kevin Millar to backup at first base, left field, and DH. If the Sox do trade Coco Crisp, names such as Rocco Baldelli and old friend Gabe Kapler make sense in trying to find a fourth outfielder. If Mark Kotsay wants to stick around Boston as a supersub in the outfield, first base, and DH, the Sox can spend their money elsewhere. Is there a job for Nomar Garciaparra? Julio Lugo With the emergence of Jed Lowrie, the stability of Alex Cora, and the potential for Epstein to once again go crazy and spend big bucks on a shortstop (Orlando Cabrera or Rafael Furcal anyone?), the Julio Lugo era is about to come to a costly ($18 million owed to Lugo through 2010) end. Management Epstein has agreed to a new three-year deal. Thank god! Terry Francona is probably closer to retirement (and the Hall of Fame) than most of us want to believe but unless there are major complications with his upcoming back surgery, Tito should be in the dugout in 2009. Bench coach Brad Mills and pitching coach John Farrell are candidates for the Seattle Mariners mangerial position. I hope at least one of them -- Farrell especially for his work with the pitching staff and the possibility of losing 'Tek in those pitchers meetings -- sticks around as the eventual heir to Francona. There is no better ownership team than John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino.