FAITH IS PAYING OFF

I know I have been quiet this off-season, but like so many members of Red Sox Nation, I was growing ever so impatient with the lack of moves by the Sox with the Yankees signing everyone to ridiculous amounts of money (can you believe they even signed Kevin Cash?). Even the Rays signed Pat Burrell. Times were desperate. However, as always, trusting in Theo has seemed to pay off.

Smoltz, Penny, Saito, Kotsay and Baldelli (even reliever Ramirez), have all joined the Sox at discount rates. Let’s not kid ourselves though, of the first five mentioned, only Kotsay isn’t coming off an injury fill season. However, if, and that is a very large if, any of these can contribute 90% of what they have in the past………the Sox will again had added significant value without mortgaging the future.

I am still not very happy with the trading of Coco Crisp for a reliever who is now almost assured of not having a large role in the pen considering you’ve now got three guys (Paps, Masterson and Saito) with closer stuff and then add Delcarmen and Oki and it sounds like the Sox starters will be pitching a lot of 5 and 6 inning games. Considering the large amount of innings Lester pitched last year, the age of Wake, the injuries of Beckett, Smoltz and Penny and that bodes well for a staff that will need rest. Will all of these guys, maybe the pressure will be off Buchholz and he will finally flourish.

Or, maybe Theo is planning a monster trade that we haven’t even imagined yet. Maybe, he is looking at Holiday if the A’s fall out of contention (not sure where he would play). Maybe he is looking at Peavy or Hanley Ramirez. I don’t know, but what I do know is that we need a big bat…….but where is that big bat going to fit in? Yes, encouraging news has been put out about Big Papi, but if he returns to form, that leaves him leading the league in walks next year. I really like Jason Bay, but if a pitcher throws him any other pitch next year but a breaking ball on the outer half of the plate………he should be taken out of the game by the manager. Can we count on Lowell in his mid thirties and coming back from a hip injury? Real power comes from the legs……
Can we count of Youk continuing his power tear when watching his swing, you wonder how he has any power at all?

All and all, I’m excited about this year’s team. I think the pitching is going to return to form and Theo will find an option with power…..that’s just what he does.