Could Mike Morse be Boston’s first baseman. August 16, 2011; Washington, D.C., USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Mike Morse (right) gets congratulated by outfielder Jayson Werth (left) after Morse

The negotiations have dragged on while a number of free agent first baseman have come and gone, most recently the Washington Nationals Adam LaRoche who signed a two-year $24 million guaranteed contract with  $10 million coming in the first year, $12 million in the second and a $2 million mutual buyout option for 2015.

As each domino falls Boston loses more leverage with Napoli, leaving them fewer options. Ben Cherington told MLB.com’s Ian Browne today, “We’ve had dialogue. It’s one of those situations, out of respect to Mike and the process, [where] I’m not going to get into detail. Whenever we’re talking and there’s dialogue, it means we’re hopeful of being able to do something, but we just don’t know yet. We’ll see how it plays out.”

In the meantime, the Red Sox need to continue to hedge their bets. When the LaRoche deal was in question and it looked like he was going to walk, the Nats tapped outfielder Mike Morse (.291/.321/.470/.791) as the man who would move to first base. Now that LaRoche is back in the fold, Boston should continue to talk with Washinton, now about Morse.

“It’s fair to say as you sort of get deeper into the winter, the free agents start to go off the board,” said Cherington. “You can look at trades and other ways to do things. It remains a focus. We’re still hoping we can do something to improve ourselves in that area before we get to Fort Myers.”

With only Mauro Gomez the only player on the Sox roster able to play first base, the pressure is increasing to get a deal done. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Ben, you’re on the clock.

Here’s why : can’t make a deal with the preacher, oh yeah, yeah
And I can’t make a bargain in heaven, now
- Deal  With The Preacher, Bad Company

September 17, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (39) on deck to bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

First, from the story that wont die category, comes – dare I say it – Mike Napoli. This 30+ day saga is again being linked with Adam LaRoche as Boston’s plan B should Boston and Napoli not come to terms. Boston management and Napoli’s agent simply aren’t saying anything save for that the details are being worked out. Meanwhile, other media sources continue to report that Boston is working a back channel with LaRoche. Why wouldn’t they? This is business, right? If only Napoli’s hip could talk.

Boston also has nine arbitration-eligible players - Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Craig Breslow, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller and Jarrod Saltalamacchia – who have been offered contracts so essentially they are signed. The players simply need to agree to terms for the 2013 season at this point.

Some of these players – Aceves, Breslow, Miller and Saltalamacchia in particular – must be considered in a trade if Boston wants to secure another quality starting pitcher. And talk about the land that time forgot. Do Alan Webster or Rubby De La Rosa have any play at all in this equation? Spring training will be their proving ground.

I do like the way the infield is playing out. Dustin Pedroia, Pedro Ciriaco, Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks, Mauro Gomez, Brock Holt and Jose Iglesias comprise a solid nucleus that sports a little pop and some solid defense. If only a first baseman could be secured. I digress…

I’m gonna move away from here
You can find me if you want to go there
I’m gonna move away from here
You can find me if you want to go there
- Gonna Move, Susan Tedeschi 

Sep 19, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli (25) jogs to first against the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Today the Dallas Morning News hinted at what many of the whispers have been saying – that Napoli had an issue with his physical last week. That report is not yet confirmed but the smart money is on just that as the two parties head back to the negotiation table with Boston most likely looking for fewer years to reduce their exposure. Sources close to the action told The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo that the team was concerned about Napoli’s hip or leg, possibly both.

Meanwhile MassLive.com is reporting that the deal is falling apart. Boston is playing hardball this year after getting burned in the Carl Crawford and John Lackey deals. Can you blame them? The new Cherington regime is taking a much closer look before opening the checkbook. Applause all the way around on that point.

Expect the Napoli yea or nay negotiation to happen quickly since few even marginal first basemen are left to fill the void if he’s not signed. If Boston walks away from the Napoli deal look for them to go hard after Nick Swisher, who is healthy, will command more money than he’s worth and Boston will probably pay it at this point.

So we change partners
Time to change partners
You must change partners
Again
- Change Partners, Stephen Stills 

Oct 16, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Nick Swisher before game three of the 2012 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

The emotional child/fan in me loathes any Yankee funk coming to Boston. The baseball intellectual in me says hey, if Youk can become a Yankee, why not Swish becoming a Sawks. Swisher is decidedly left of the center in New York and just may be more comfortable in a Boston uniform. In Swisher I sense an inner idiot thirsting to be free; a Johnny Damon wanna be looking to let his freak flag fly.

Swisher is a multi-position player that solves a number of problems for the Red Sox. Even if Mike Napoli passes his physical and is signed, Napoli’s track record of missing about 40 games per year on average makes Swisher a solid backup first baseman. Is he great? No. Will he hurt you over the long haul? No.

Swisher is also a much needed lefty in what has become a right-handed dominant batting lineup. He can DH should Papi go down. More importantly, he can platoon with Jonny Gomes who, let’s face it, is never going to be an every day guy. And the Swish swagger might just play big in Beantown.

Swisher is 32. You know pretty much what you get with him. He’s a career .256 hitter with a little pop (23 to 29 home runs in each of the last five seasons) who’s got a decent eye, although he’ll never be a threat to make pitchers nervous, having stolen just 12 bases total in nine MLB seasons. I’m 54 and I’m pretty sure I could still steal 1.2 bases per year until I was 62. As the Jimmy Fund tagline says I can dream can’t I?”

I almost cut my hair, it was happened just the other day.
It was gettin’ kinda long, I could’ve said it was in my way.
But I didn’t and I wonder why, I feel like letting my freak flag fly,
And I feel like I owe it to someone.
- Almost Cut My Hair, David Crosby – Crosby, Still and Nash 

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Ryan Dempster (46) throws a pitch during the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

After “come here, come here, come here, go away, go away, go away” the Boston Red Sox and Ryan Dempster finally agreed to a two-year, $26.5 million deal just days after Dempster rejected a $25 million deal that the Red Sox had offered. Really? At that kind of money is $1.5 million really a deal breaker? It’s more likely that both Dempster and Boston’s options were running out so a match made in heaven was struck. Now let’s explore just how heavenly the deal is.

On the downside, Dempster is 35-years old and has very likely crested. He has spent a 16-year career in the National League as a Marlin, Red and Cub. Last year he came to the AL after a trade to the Rangers and got hammered. As a Cub he posted a 2.25 ERA. Once he went to Texas he had a 5.09 mark. Now he’s heading to the AL Beast. Have a good time with that.

On the plus side Dempster possesses what Boston’s pitching staff has sorely lacked – durability. Last year he threw 173 innings between Texas and the Cubs and in the four previous seasons he reached 200 innings.

Talking to mlb.com’s Evan Drelich, Sox GM Ben Cherington said, “We struggled in that area for different reasons,” Cherington. One of the things we’ve been lacking has just been the reliability and someone who can be a reliable, durable part of the rotation. So that is something we’ve focused on this offseason. … I think we feel like need to go into 2013 with more starting pitching depth than we have right now. There are different ways to do that.”

Now that the winter meetings are over and many of the big names including Zack Greinke and Josh Hamilton have been taken off the board, the pace is quickening as the dominos fall and the race to spring training is on. In light of the circumstances Boston’s move is a smart one. Stocking up on more known quantities in what has become Major League Baseball’s pitching war of attrition is a not to be second guessed move – yet. FYI, I reserve the right to reverse myself and thrash bow to stern if Dempster doesn’t work out, which I’ll peg at a 50/50 proposition – until he blows out an elbow in spring training.

Old man look at my life,
I’m a lot like you were.
- Old Man, Neil Young 

Mike Napoli hits an RBI double in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

As it stands the Red Sox have 4 catchers for next season, Napoli, David Ross, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Ryan Lavarnway. However, the only first baseman on the team is Mauro Gomez. It been reported that Napoli will primarily play first while playing a little catcher. But doesn’t it seem like Napoli’s value is wasted at first? Napoli had a .227/.343/.469 line last season with 24 home runs and 56 RBI, the season before was .320/.414/.631 with 30 & 75. Although last season was a drop off, it was great numbers from a catcher, but with an OPS of .812, he’d be tied for 6th for AL first basemen (between Adrian Gonzalez and Mark Teixiera), for AL catchers he’d be third.

So what’s the best way to get value from him? I’d say to keep two catchers on the Roster, Napoli and Ross. Try to trade Salty, or Lavarnway to sure up other holes on the team. If there aren’t many options out there for first base the Sox could keep Salty, Ross, and Napoli on the roster with Salty and Napoli sharing time at first and behind the plate with Ross backing up at catcher. If that’s the case Larvarnway should be dealt,  if they could find a package including Lavarnway to bring in a shortstop or a young arm, that would be ideal.

It now seems like the Red Sox are out on Adam LaRoche, since the reports say that they’d be satisfied with Napoli at first. They do still appear to be in on Shane Victorino, Cody Ross, and Nick Swisher. Hear it from me, Napoli is a great offensive option at catcher but he’s not the answer at first. Worst case scenario they’d need to bring in a Swisher or someone to split time at first and can play an outfield position as well that way Napoli’s bat can be behind the plate as much as possible but when he’s needed to be played at first the lineup won’t drop off too much.

Rafael Soriano points to the sky after recording the final out of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE

These two deals made two former closers available to the market in Rafael Soriano and Carlos Marmol. Soriano through free agency and Marmol through trade.

Soriano has spent the last three years in the AL East and had over 42 saves two of those years. He has a career 2.78 ERA, 132 saves, and the Yankees decided that he wasn’t worth the $11M option. For the right price, Soriano would be a great option for the Red Sox. Marmol is one of the most erratic closers in baseball, his BB/9 last season was 7.3, higher than his average, and his K/9 was 11.7, exactly his average. The problem with Marmol, besides the walks is his nearly $10M salary. If the Cubs were desperate to unload his contract and would take some of his salary in a deal, maybe the Red Sox could consider it.

The best value in the closing market could be Royals’ closer Joakim Soria. Soria missed last season with Tommy John surgery but has a career 2.40 ERA with 160 saves and a K/9 of 9.7. The scary thing about Soria is that his situation is similar to Andrew Bailey‘s last year which burned the Red Sox. Soria doesn’t have the injury track record that Bailey had, but the recent similarities can’t be ignored.

Two more former top-line closers available are Brian Wilson and Francisco Rodriguez. Brian Wilson had 4 straight seasons of at least 36 saves before only pitching 2 innings last season. K-Rod, someone who might have once been considered the best closer in the game, hasn’t’ gotten over 35 saves since 2008. Although he hasn’t gotten huge save numbers since getting 62 in 2008, last season was only his 3rd season of his career that he had an ERA over 3. His drop in the overrated save numbers might knock down his value a little that would help the Sox find a bargain in their bullpen.

Now of course, Andrew Bailey is arbitration eligible and will likely be back with the Sox. Rumors are that they would trade him but his value is very low. The Red Sox can’t take a gamble on Bailey again, at least not as their closer.

Pedro Ciriaco could be Boston’s bridge to Bogaerts and much more. Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

If the 2012 season taught Boston anything it was the old adage good pitching beats good hitting every time. Conversely, terrible pitching decidedly does not beat good hitting as Boston’s pitching staff so painfully found out last year. With the right attitude and some decent health, Boston won’t need middle and back end relief. John Farrell has already taken steps to build that framework.

Farrell has been spending time reaching out to players early and often, sometimes rekindling old relationships from his days as Boston’s pitching coach, other times engaging for the first time to establish open dialog. Speaking with Evan Drelich on Boston’s website about recent exchanges with Alfredo Aceves, Farrell said of Aceves, “We’ve had some brief conversations, a number of messages left. Colorful. He’s a talented pitcher, and he can do some things in the game that he may be the only guy that can do it. With the frequency in which he can pitch to the number of pitches thrown, he’s a talented guy. I think from my standpoint, the approach taken is to be candid with him, to be consistent with him, both in terms of how we want, what we value in guys’ approach. I think the most important thing is for him to understand where he sits with us, how we view him and what his role is. And then he can best prepare for that.” Farrell’s attitude and ability to communicate puts Boston in a distinctly different posture heading into this season. An Aceves with his head screwed on straight knowing unequivocally what to expect is indeed a valuable commodity.

Similarly, Farrell has ben talking with Jon Lester, especially in light of recent trade rumors that have surfaced. “…I think any time that first rumor gets out there, it can be a little startling for guys. But I know one thing, he’s extremely motivated, he’s working his tail off right now to have a strong year.”

While Farrell’s talk therapy is a huge step in the right direction, Boston has starting pitching issues that need fixing, making starters like Dan Harran (176 innings, 200+ in the years before that) and Kyle Losche (16-3. Not a K pitcher but keeps the ball down) viable free agent options.

While we’re being frank, the Boston shortstop controversy, at least for next season, should be put to bed now and reinforced early in the spring. Hands down Pedro Ciriaco should be Boston’s 2013 shortstop. The previous common wisdom of putting Jose Iglesias in the slot as a placeholder for the developing Xander Bogaerts doesn’t give Boston the best chance to compete next year. Iglesias, the human vacuum cleaner, can’t bat his hat size to the point where it’s a liability. Light hitting, great fielding shortstops are an MLB tradition. Igleisias’ anemic .118 average over 25 games at the end of last season gives new meaning to the term automatic out and Mendoza line.

With great range and a strong arm, Ciriaco is more than serviceable at shortstop. Last year he batted .415 against the Yankees. A .293 average in 76 games makes him a much more well-rounded option if he can get more disciplined at the plate. Ciriaco struck out a lot and swung at a ton of first pitches. With his speed if he can up his on base percentage with more walks he can become very disruptive to opposing pitchers. Close the book on this one. Oh wait, one last page. Here’s a thought. Ship Lester to Colorado and bring in Troy Tulowitzki. OK, open the book back up.

Mark Reynolds could be a nice fit in Beantown. Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

See my earlier posts on Mike Napoli and Mark Reynolds regarding Boston’s best options at first base, although Adam LaRoche now has less leverage with the Denard Span trade to the Nationals. With Span in centerfield and a near certain move of Michael Morse to first base, LaRoche will be more the hunter and not the hunted in the first base free agent sweepstakes.

Even with the purchase of Jonny Gomes, uncertainty around the corner outfield positions is a concern. If Boston wants to break out of a very mediocre corner outfield situation, they’ll either have to buy their way out of it with the likes of a risky Josh Hamilton contract for example or fully commit to and roll the dice with, say, Ryan Kalish and tell him it’s his job to lose. Kalish and the Sox have been on and off again, platooning him through injury and backup status for a few years. It’s time to find out  if Kalish can make the transition full-time at the Major League level or pull the plug.

Don’t expect all the business to get done over the next week in Nashville. Sox GM Ben Cherington has said as much during a number of meetings with the press over the past few weeks. The hot stove, however, is banked and things are just starting to heat up.

There are two other top outfielders that the Red Sox are most likely priced out of, Josh Hamilton and Michael Bourn. Both of these outfielders will easily get $100 million dollar contracts, which hopefully the Red Sox have learned to not give out in free agency.

San Francisco Giants center fielder Angel Pagan scores against the St. Louis Cardinals during game seven of the 2012 NLCS ©Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

With all the top names off the board there are still some interesting free agents that the Red Sox could target for their outfield. Two of the better remaining outfielders are familiar with the AL East, B.J. Upton and Nick Swisher. In the past I’ve voiced my disfavor of signing Swisher but he is still an option none the less. Although Upton’s numbers are lower for the most part he provides more speed on the bases and in the field.

A cheaper option might be that of Angel Pagan. Sure, he provides little power but his career average is .281 and he gets on base 1/3 of the time. With the top of the order all set, Pagan could slide into the bottom third of the lineup and provide the no-easy-outs mantra that the team had in the years of Bill Mueller and Mark Bellhorn.

In an ideal situation the Red Sox would re-sign Cody Ross to play left and bring in Shane Victorino to play right. Victorino is coming off one of his worst years as a pro so maybe his value has diminished. Ross could provide the lineup with a little pop and Victorino could add to their OBP.

The player that I really like that I’ve heard very little about is Ryan Ludwick. At 34 Ryan Ludwick is a little older than the other outfield options but last year he had a good a year as any of the non-bank-breaking free agents. Last season Ludwick hit .275/.346/.531 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI. Last offseason Ludwick signed with the Reds for 1 year/$2M, if the Sox can get him for 1 year/$6M, i’d do that in a heartbeat. Ludwick will get much less than the 2-year/$26M contract that Torii Hunter signed, Ludwick has had a far less stellar career and has not been as consistent.

The last major outfield free agent is Delmon Young. I have no interest. A career OBP of .317, and a 162 game average of 16 home runs doesn’t wow me. He’s never lived up to his potential and his head isn’t all there. I hope the Sox stay far far away from Delmon Young.

John Tomase of the Boston Herald wrote that the Red Sox could over pay for one year contracts to keep the team competitive without giving up the future. Ryan Ludwick would fit that perfectly. Grady Sizemore and Ichiro Suzuki would also be options for one year deals.

The Red Sox don’t have the players on the roster that can be full-time outfielders and I don’t see any long term options in free agency so let’s just hope that the Red Sox don’t get tied in with more long term contracts.

Mike Napoli, a potential masher in Boston. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

After consulting recently with my crystal ball, it has become clear to me that Mike Napoli is coming to Boston and Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be traded. All signs point to the affirmative. What signs? My gut tells me so.

No, Napoli will not be catching regularly. Newly acquired free agent David Ross will be catching. He hits better than either Salty or Ryan Lavarnway and is a better defensive catcher. Napoli will come to Boston as insurance at first base and can easily semi-regular start with Ross if Salty is traded, which will also happen. After a sub par 2012 Napoli can be had on the cheap.

Napoli also fits in Boston because they will need protection from a power outage if Cody Ross indeed ends up in another uniform, a prospect that becomes more plausible as each days passes and he doesn’t ink a deal with Boston.

In bagging Napoli Boston will exercise two other important strategic moves. First, they stop him from hitting against them. Napoli has a 1.075 OPS in 38 career games against the Red Sox. He’s also banged 15 home runs against Boston, his most against any non-AL West club. Second, they get him more plate appearances at Fenway Park. At Fenway Napoli has a 1.107 OPS in 19 career games that includes four doubles and seven home runs. Finally, Napoli slugs at a righteous .710 career percentage at Fenway, his highest at any park in which he’s played at least 19 games.

With those stats and all that flexibility, why would Napoli not be a great fit in Fenway?

I don’t have a need to be the best
Don’t want to be just like the rest
Just stay who I am
Just an ordinary middle man
- Middle Man, Living Colour

Shameless Plug
Make sure you’re following BSI’s November position by position coverage of all things Red Sox; prospects, free agents and , where applicable, players with a position already locked down. Through today, our staff has covered, catcher, 1st base, 2nd and 3rd base positions. Our coverage will take you right up to the winter meetings, scheduled to kick off December 3 in Nashville. Keep your Sox on here.

GM Ben Cherington continues to flex his muscle and make a number of moves on the Red Sox coaching staff. Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

Breakin’ It Down and Building It Up
In significant ways the Red Sox continue to tweak, tweak, tweak their coaching staff. After cleaning house, with the notable exception of returning bullpen coach Gary Tuck, GM Ben Cherington is turning his attention to first base and batting coaches. Yes, I said batting coaches with an s. Boston is considering not one but two batting coaches. If the number of coaches represent the magnitude of the problem I would expect a one-to-one pitching coach to pitcher ratio to rectify to problems Boston had last year in all phases of their pitching game.

It wasn’t Cody but was still the right Ross. Sox secure a solid backstop with David Ross. Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Ross Inks Two-Year Deal
Gotcha! Not Cody Ross. Last week Braves catcher David Ross signed a two-year, $6.2 million deal with Red Sox. Ryan Lavarnway, please take a seat. The move will certainly quash the ridiculous Russell Martin rumors, who would have been a bad fit in Boston. The reason? I’ll say it. He’s just not very good. Does Boston need another lightweight hitter coming to the catching pool? I thought you’d know that answer.

Ross batted .256 last year in Atlanta while Salty batted .222 and struck out 139 times. Lavarnway batted an anemic .157. Martin batted .211. Ross is a better defensive catcher than either Salty or Lavarnway, allowing 19 stolen bases in 62 games in 2012 to Salty’s 80 in 104 games and Lavarnway’s 28 in 28 games. This was a good signing for low dollars, again signaling Boston’s more conservative approach to signing quality players at the right price.

Baltimore is appearing as the odds on favorite for Josh Hamilton in 2013. Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Sinking and Swimming in the Free Agency Pool
The rest of league seems to be following the Red Sox trend regarding Josh Hamilton. A month ago media sources had Jacoby Ellsbury off to Texas for Hamilton and Elvis Andrus. That’s the great thing about free agency; it all shakes out eventually. Even in the absurd world of men playing a child’s game for multi-millions of dollars, watching not only what the market will bear but also just how desperate teams are to bring a marquee player to their franchise is worth the price of admission.

Baltimore, Seattle and Milwaukee are currently reported as having an interest Hamilton. Somehow, this doesn’t feel like a highest bidder scenario but more likely a sweat it out exercise to see who gets Hamilton for the lowest dollars to offset his personal baggage.

Come here sister…..Papa’s in the swing
He ain’t too hip…about that new breed babe
He ain’t no drag
Papa’s got a brand new bag
- Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag, James Brown 

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May 2, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington speaks with reporters prior to a game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

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Adam LaRoche. Fully qualified, too much money and too many years for a gun shy Red Sox organization. Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

James Loney has never been a classic power hitting first baseman and this year tanked his average further after being traded from the Dodgers to the Sox. He’s a free agent who Boston has willingly and justifiably allowed to explore the market. Loney’s not the answer, leaving a cornucopia of prospects too young or inexperienced to step into the limelight – Travis Shaw, Mauro Gomez and Michael Almanzar and a cast of either underwhelming or overpriced free agents – Adam LaRoche, Carlos Pena and Casey Kotchman to name a few.

 

Nash’s wildcard opening day lineup featuring a still physically maturing Bogaert’s, who is projected to outgrow his current shortstop position, is a “hey, this might just happen” proposition.

The 6′ 3″, 175 pound 20 year-old started 2012 in A+ Salem, batted .302 and only got better when he was promoted to triple A Portland where he batted .326 and slugged with more swagger.

No matter who ends up in the number one spot, Boston will need to have depth at first base. This prompted Bosox Injection fan, John Fahrer, to comment on a Mauro Gomez first base backup possibility. “Gomez is a decent backup. Wish he would show a little more power at the big league level, a little more patience at the plate, and some improvement on defense…” said Fahrer.

The first cut is the deepest, Baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
- The First Cut is the Deepest, Cat Stevens

Larry The Boss won’t find an answer in-house; he has no MLB-ready 1b prospects in the farm system and former Dodger 1b/OF Jerry Sands and Mauro Gomez may not be ready yet, except as a platoon.

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Flush with money–$260 million– from the Dodger Dump, the Sox should spend the biggest chunk on a proven #1 starter—either Zack Greinke or Brandon McCarthy.

August 24, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Zack Greinke (23) pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

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