Yeah, That Will Work Theo

Theo Epstein did not make the big splash Red Sox Nation was hoping for on Thanksgiving like he did in 2003 when he got Curt Schilling to come to Boston but it looks like the Red Sox general manager is about to deliver in time for Chanukah. ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the Red Sox are on the verge of acquiring slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres in a deal that would probably cost Boston top pitching prospect Casey Kelly but no "established major leaguers." According to Olney's Twitter page, the deal is contingent on all of the involved players passing their physicals (he did recently undergo shoulder surgery but is expected to have a full recovery by spring training) and possibly Gonzalez coming to terms with the Red Sox on a contract extension. Gonzalez is on the books for almost $5-million in 2011 but his play has easily outperformed his salary. Playing in San Diego's PETCO Park, a safe haven for pitchers, Gonzalez has become one of the most feared hitters in baseball. In 2010, he posted a .298 BA to go along with 31 HR, 101 RBI, a .393 OBP, and a .904 OPS. The 28-year-old lefty is also a two-time Gold Glove winner at first base. The acquisition of Gonzalez probably marks the end of Adrian Beltre's short tenure in Boston. Beltre was a bright spot in a disappointing 2010 season but the Red Sox can now move Kevin Youkilis across the diamond from first base to third base. The Sox should still be in the market for either Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth, the two premiere outfielders on the free agent market. With Gonzalez' left-handed bat about to be plugged into Terry Francona's lineup, the right-handed Werth makes a lot of sense. However, the power of Gonzalez could make adding the electric Crawford more of a priority. Knowing how much TheBostonInsider loves projecting lineups, let's take a look at Francona's possibilities if Theo were to add either Werth or Crawford to the Red Sox to go along with Gonzalez. We'll start with Werth. 1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF (LH) 2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B (RH) 3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B (LH) 4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B (RH) 5. David Ortiz, DH (LH) 6. Jayson Werth, LF (RH) 7. J.D. Drew, RF (LH) 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C (S) 9. Marco Scutaro, SS (RH) Not bad at all. Francona could alternate lefty-righty down the order, giving the Sox the upper hand in late inning situations. That lineup would score a ton of runs and take pressure off the starting rotation of Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, John Lackey, and Daisuke Matsuzaka to be perfect every night they take the mound. It is a lineup more than capable of winning a World Series. Now, for the lineup with Carl Crawford. 1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF (LH) 2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B (RH) 3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B (LH) 4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B (RH) 5. Carl Crawford, LF (LH) 6. David Ortiz, DH (LH) 7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C (S) 8. J.D. Drew, RF (LH) 9.Marco Scutaro, SS (RH) That lineup does not allow Francona to alternate lefty's and righty's straight through the order but it still dynamic and would be expected to score a ton of runs. Even though I have been advocating for the Sox to go after Crawford, looking at the lineups, I would have to say the Jayson Werth version has me more excited for 2011 and beyond but I do not think that Epstein can go wrong if he signs either player. The key piece is Gonzalez. Adding a hitter of his ability immediately improves the Red Sox chances in 2011 and puts the Yankees on alert that they intend to return to the postseason and World Series next fall.