Helping Out Theo

Just in case the general manager of the Red Sox is paying attention... 1. Trade Josh Beckett to the Rangers I love Beckett as much as the next guy but with free agency looming after next year, the Sox should move him now instead of possibly getting nothing in return if he walks after 2010. The Rangers are a perfect fit. With the legendary Nolan Ryan calling the shots, a power pitcher with Texas roots like Beckett makes sense as they try and rebuild on their successful 2009 season. In return, the Sox could pick up some quality prospects - including Justin Smoak and Neftali Perez - that will help Theo accomplish the next step. 2. Trade for Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez and Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez Theo made a play for both of these young stars at the trade deadline and revisiting talks to acquire both would put the Sox in a position to challenge the Angels and Yankees in the American League in 2010. Acquiring King Felix and Gonzalez will be expensive but the Red Sox do have a very good farm system and they will acquire the needed additional chips by dealing Beckett to Texas. To allow him a much needed change of scenery, Theo can move Manny Delcarmen in one of the trades. Getting Hernandez at this early stage of his dominance will be similar to trading for Pedro Martinez in 1997 and Gonzalez will give them a much needed impact bat for the middle of the lineup. 3. Re-sign Billy Wagner... ... as a complement to Jonathan Papelbon. While I do believe the Red Sox should be wary of giving Papelbon a long term contract, he is one of the game's best closers. He did have an off year (career high 1.15 WHIP) but he is still a weapon at the end of a game. Wagner would give Terry Francona the luxury of having Wagner and Daniel Bard serve as set-up men for Papelbon. That type of security in the bullpen is what wins championships. 4. Give Aroldis Chapman the money The 21-year-old lefty who throws 100 mph has become a free agent after finally acquiring citizenship in Andorra after defecting from Cuba in July. The Red Sox must invest some of the money they saved in their failed attempt to land Mark Teixeira last winter in a potential ace. 5. Sign Kevin Towers to be an extra set of eyes Towers was let go by the Padres after fifteen years as their general manager. In that time period, he built four N.L. West winning teams and the 1998 N.L. champions. He was also a boss/mentor when Theo was a member of the Padres front office. With Jed Hoyer set to leave Boston to become Towers' replacement in San Diego, Towers would be an excellent assistant general manager. 6. Allow Jason Bay to leave as a free agent and sign Matt Holliday Bay was a nice replacement for Manny Ramirez but at age 31, Bay would be 36 at the end of the five-year deal he is sure to receive. By then he will be a designated hitter and as the Red Sox have (sadly) seen the last two years, an aging DH is not someone who you want taking up a large piece of the payroll. Holliday is almost three years younger than Bay and is a better offenisve player. Holliday will be more expensive than Bay - his agent, Evil Scott Boras has stated he will be seeking Teixeira money - but is a wiser investment. For the veteran readers of this space, you know how much I love lists. If Theo takes my advice, this is how the 2010 Red Sox could look: 1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF 2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B 3. Victor Martinez, C 4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B 5. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B 6. Matt Holliday, LF 7. David Ortiz, DH 8. J.D. Drew, RF 9. Alex Gonzalez, SS Bench: Jed Lowrie, SS/2B; Mike Lowell, 3B/DH; Jason Varitek, C; Casey Kotchman, 1B; Brian Anderson, OF Starting Rotation: Jon Lester, LHP; Felix Hernandez, RHP; Clay Buchholz, RHP; Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP; Aroldis Chapman, LHP or Tim Wakefield, RHP Bullpen: Jonathan Papelbon, RHP; Billy Wagner, LHP; Daniel Bard, RHP; Hideki Okajima, LHP; Takashi Saito, RHP; Ramon Ramirez, RHP With the Yankees rolling towards the World Series, it's fun to dream.