Red Sox Should Become Sellers

That damn second Wild Card is probably going to thwart my plans but here's what I think Ben Cherington and the Red Sox should do to this season.

Blow it up!

A year ago, Cherington built a World Series champion out of equal parts established core veterans, bargain-priced free agents, and young players developed from within the team's minor league system.

The good feelings created by that championship, as well as the 2012 mega-trade with the Dodgers that gave the franchise a much needed fresh start, should be enough for Cherington to feel comfortable enough to declare 2014 a lost cause and start selling off some of his assets in order to start preparing for 2015.

Cherington's most attractive player to potential buyers is Koji Uehara.  The 39-year-old closer became a Boston icon for his performance during 2013 but his age and his status as a soon-to-be free agent should make him available.  Any team with hopes of winning in October would line up for his services, especially Detroit considering their abysmal situation at closer, and he should be able to fetch the Red Sox at least one prospect who could help Boston in the next few years.

Another player worth shopping is Jake Peavy.  Peavy was a trade deadline acquisition last year and helped pitch the Red Sox to their title.  He is under contract through the end of this season (but does hold a player option for 2015) so whoever trades for him isn't taking on too much of a salary commitment.  While no longer and ace, Peavy could help solidify a contender's rotation.

One more name to consider is Jonny Gomes.  Gomes, also slated for free agency, does have a penchant for being around winning teams (just ask him) and could be a valuable fourth outfielder and pinch hitter.

Two players I would hope Cherington refuses to field offers on are Jon Lester and John Lackey.

Lester, a free agent to be, should be offered a contract for five years and between $20-25 million dollars a year in recognition of what he has already accomplished in a Boston uniform and what the 30-year-old is likely capable of achieving over the next five years.  He is the ace that every contender needs and the Red Sox should recognize that and pay him accordingly.

Lackey is under Red Sox control through next season.  As part of the deal he signed with the Red Sox prior to the 2010 season, Lackey owes the team the 2015 for $500,000 because he lost a season to Tommy John surgery.  The team should re-work that deal in the shape of something around three years and between $12-15 million dollars a year.  While no longer an ace, Lackey has rebounded from a tough start in Boston and the elbow surgery to become a solid second starter and is the type of competitor that not only wins games but also teaches younger pitchers what it is to be winners.

I hope that Cherington shaves off the pieces that can be lost while building towards a bright future in the coming years.  Having Lester and Lackey - as well as David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, and Mike Napoli - forms a nice core of stars and with a minor league system brimming with young potential stars and a vault of cash that can be used to fill in the cracks, there's no reason why the Red Sox shouldn't instantly be a contender again in 2015 and beyond.