Jul 28, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Mike Carp (20) hits a RBI sacrifice fly ball against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Kansas City 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Carp provides insurance for two of Boston’s thinnest defensive spots. Carp can back up Mike Napoli at first base if necessary and could platoon with Jonny Gomes and Daniel Nava in left field, especially if Ryan Kalish – recently placed in Boston’s 60 day DL – doesn’t bounce back from his shoulder surgery.

“It’s definitely a better opportunity for me than staying in Seattle as far as their needs go and my chance to get as many at-bats as possible,” Carp told The Seattle Times’ Geoff Baker.

“It’s really exciting,” Carp said. “I have a chance to go to a great organization and should really get a chance to play. I’m looking forward to showing them what I can do.”

In 2011, Carp hit a promising .276 with 12 homers in a career-high 79 games but dipped to .213 in 59 games in 2012. Carp has a career slash line of .255/.327/.413/.740.

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

Sep. 29, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton (10) stands at bat during the game against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past two weeks the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are looking for pitching, have once again floated the name of their star outfielder, Justin Upton, as a piece in a possible trade deal. The 25-year old Upton (six year slash line of .278/.357/.475/.832 with average of 19 stolen bases over the last four years), could be a prize for a team in need of an outfielder heading into his prime playing years.  While Boston is approaching a full outfield dance card for the 2013 season – a platoon player to compliment Jonny Gomes notwithstanding – acquiring Upton would solve a few key problems that Boston will likely have, especially after the 2013 season, perhaps when Upton is not available.

By any baseball pundit’s measure, Jacoby Ellsbury is likely to walk in his contract year after the 2013 season has concluded. It’s unlikely that Boston would or could trade him for a player of value given his injury history unless he produces nicely in the first half of this season, approaches his 2011 form and becomes part of a July trade deadline deal.

Over the past three seasons, Ellsbury has missed 282 of Boston’s 324, games an absentee rate of 70%. Quibble if like with the “he’s just been unlucky” story line and I’d tend to agree. The bottom line, however, as his 2012 shoulder injury especially underscored, is that Ellsbury comes back slowly from injury. His bat didn’t have the same pop when he returned in 2012. His season, like the team’s, was flat and uninspired. At the end of the 2013 season Ellsbury will be 30.

If Boston were to get involved in trade negotiations for Upton they’d have to give up prospects that Ben Cherington has previously been unwilling to discuss. Xander Bogaerts (unlikely a play since Arizona already plugged their shortstop hole), Jackie Bradley Jr (CF)., and pitchers Matt Barnes, Allen Webster, Henry Owens and Rubby De La Rosa would likely be players of interest to Arizona. Boston would not have the strongest suit to play since the D’Backs have also been talking with the Mariners about Upton and Seattle has at least as many talented minor league pitching prospects as does Boston.

This is a classic case of pay me now or pay me later if ever there was one. Cherington has made virtually every move this winter while protecting his prospects. There may come a time shortly for players the likes of Upton or another quality starter in which he’ll need to amend that strategy and temporarily break his own rule.

You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometime you just might find
You get what you need
- You Can’t Always Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones 

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 

Then came Boston’s first, biggest and earliest Christmas present with Magic Johnson of all people playing both Santa Claus and, at least through the view of my Red Sox glasses, a stooge. In one blessed day he took over $260 million in payroll off Boston’s books as the Sox unloaded under-performing and souring big name players. Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford  (Nick Punto also was part of the deal) were gone. Poof! Just like that. Uncork the champagne; the New Year holiday had arrived early.

Valentine fired: The gift that keeps on giving Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Valentine was fired in short order at the end of Boston’s worst year since 1965. After that performance, or lack thereof, I think it’s safe to say that Bobby V will never manage in Major League Baseball again – another gift given by the Red Sox to the rest of what was, at the time, baseball’s unwitting cadre of owners.

The Sox have been by far the most active team in baseball during the off season. Here’s a list of their presents and a short synopsis.

Bobby Valentine
Fired. The gift that keeps on giving.

John Farrell
Hired. Boston’s shiny new girlfriend for the holidays. He’s new and exciting and, and, well, we’ll see what happens when we see the girlfriend without her makeup on.

Mike Napoli
Boston bought him as a possible diamond in the rough but now appears to be backing away from this un”hip” lump of coal.

Shane Victorino
Boston’s other $39 million man, Victorino gives Boston outfield flexibility and a solid club house presence. You can tear up the gift receipt on this one. It fits. No need to return it.

Dec 19, 2012; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The recently signed right handed pitcher Ryan Dempster takes a seat at the Boston Red Sox press conference at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Dempster
Coming from the Island of Misfit Toys (the Cubs), Dempster has been an inning eating machine and will need to perform the same 180-200+ inning work for Boston. This toy worked fine in the National League. The children of Red Sox Nation eagerly await to see if it works in the AL East.

Stephen Drew
It’s hard to get excited about this gift. We get the same new shortstop present every year and it always breaks. Then I’m sad.

September 20, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Jonny Gomes (31) in the dugout during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jonny Gomes
Bought as a fire sale item. With tattoos galore and a righteous chin full of whiskers, Gomes was irresistible as the bad boy toy of the season. He will platoon left field with other toys of the same, albeit decidedly more clean cut, caliber (Ryan Kalish and Daniel Nava). Farrell may have to decide one to play with most before the All-Star break.

David Ross
Well backstop seasons greetings! Solid insurance at catcher. Not so sure Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway are feeling so ho, ho, ho about it.

Good Medicine
Not many people know that the Red Sox went without a Medical Director last season. The Sox’ head internist, Dr. Larry Ronan, was recently named Medical Director. The Sox also named physical therapist Dan Dyrek coordinator of sports medicine services as part of a year long restructuring of the medical staff according to Sox GM Ben Cherington. He’s hoping for a better diagnosing track record than Ellsbury’s 2010 rib injuries.

Big Papi Back Under The Tree
After a bit of pissy squabbling  - almost entirely on the part of David Ortiz – Boston signed their slugging DH to two-year, $26 million contract. Rest easy Nation. Your favorite plaything is back. Let’s hope his Achilles heel is too.

August 29, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan (52) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Hanrahan
Boston is taking this Christmas shopping thing seriously this year. Cherington’s elves have been busy negotiating with Pittsburg closer Harahan right up until the holiday shopping deadline. Hanrahan will likely become a member of the Red Sox, just not wrapped up in a red bow in time for December 25th.

And a Partridge and Three New Coaches
Torey Lovullo, Bench Coach, former team: Toronto Blue Jays. Cool footnote: Farrell’s friend and colleague for 20 years.
Brian Butterfield, Third Base Coach, former team: Toronto Blue Jays. Cool footnote: A native of Bangor, ME, Butterfield is a New Englander coming home.
Juan Nieves, Pitching Coach, former team: Chicago White Sox. Cool footnote: Nieves tossed a no-hitter vs. the Orioles in 1987.

Merry Christmas baby
Babe you sure did treat me nice
Yeah! merry merry merry Christmas baby
Babe you sure did treat me nice
Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas
And now I’m living in paradise
- Merry Christmas Baby, Otis Redding

Oct. 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) throws during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

July 8, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; World designated hitter Xander Bogaerts hits a single during the third inning of the 2012 All Star Futures Game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports via USA TODAY Sports

According to Boston Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, Sox management has been in nearly every pitching conversation during the off-season, including R.A. Dickey.

When Boston talked with the Mets during the Winter Meetings both teams were very specific, according to a report by the Boston Herald’s Scott Lauber. As with other teams, a conversation with the Mets involving center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury would have to include a top of the rotation pitcher. That’s what Boston thought the Mets were looking for. What the Mets were actually looking for were as many cream of the crop prospects as they could get. The Mets wanted top Sox prospects shortstop Xander Bogaerts and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.

With the specter of Ellsbury departing after the 2013 season, Boston wanted to hold fast to Bradley, an elite athlete who hit .315/.430/.482/.911 in 128 games in Single A Salem and Double A Portland.

Stephen Drew will be Boston’s every day shortstop in 2013 and light hitting Jose Iglesias will again start the season in Pawtucket to see if he can ever learn how to hit. With Boston’s premier bargaining chips off the table,  it must have been a quick conversation. There wasn’t a match. That was that.

Toronto had other ideas, giving the Mets what they wanted, reportedly agreeing to move 23-year-old catcher Travis d’Arnaud and Class A right-hander Noah Syndergaard for Dickey. Done deal.

Now, on paper at least, it isn’t even an argument about who has the best team in the AL East. The Yankees are getting older and beaten up. Boston will be happy with a .500 season in 2013 after their worst since 1965. Baltimore, surprisingly good in 2012, will be watched closely to see if Showalter and company can turn an upstart single season into a trend. Joe Maddon always get the most out of his team but with James Shields off to Kansas City, Tampa will once again be the hunter and not the hunted.

Toronto appears to have woken up at the end of the season and decided that now is the time. No more biding time. No more rebuilding or waiting. No more looking up at the contenders. They spent a ton and free wheeled their way into instant contention, buying talent wholesale (Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Jose Reyes and Dickey) and taking on some risk (PED poster child Melky Cabrera). Soon enough the AL East and baseball fans across the nation will find out if the gamble was worth it. Will the players measure up? Will they avoid the cruel fates of injury?

In the meantime, the search to put a viable Sox starting rotation grinds on.

Oct 9, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Stephen Drew (5) throws the ball for the out at first base against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning of game three of the 2012 ALDS at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

John Heyman of CBS Sports reported today that the Red Sox have come to terms with Stephen Drew on a one-year, $9.5 million contract pending a physical.

The 29-year old, signed to provide further depth at a shortstop position sure to be in flux through spring training, comes to Boston from from Oakland where he played after after being traded to Oakland from Arizona mid-way through the 2012 season. Drew played 40 games for the Diamondbacks last season after missing 137 games in 2011 after fracturing his right ankle.

He struggled mightily at plate with the D-Backs early in 2012, hitting just .193 but rebounded nicely once in Oakland, hitting .250 in 172 plate appearances. GM Ben Cherington has said repeatedly that Boston will not go exclusively with an all-glove, no bat shortstop. Current odds on favorite shortstop for opening day, Jose Iglesias, is just such a player. Igelsias is a human vacuum cleaner at short but last year batted just .118 in 68 at bats with the Red Sox.

Drew, who declined a $10 million mutual option with the A’s at the end of 2012 season, leaves a hole in Oakland that the As must now deal with in a dwindling shortstop market.

A historical footnote and perhaps cautionary tale for Red Sox fans, Drew is the younger brother of former Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew.

May 26, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Graham Godfrey (45) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at O.co Coliseum. The Yankees defeated the Athletics 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Remember back in November  when the Sox sent Sandy Rosario to Oakland for a player to be named later? Yeah, neither do I. In any event, the player to be named later was named today.

Oakland sent pitcher Graham Godfrey to Boston to conclude the deal. The 28-year old Godfrey has seen limited action with the Athletics in 2011 and 2012. In 2012 he started four games for the A’s early in the season but spent much of this past season in Triple-A where he posted a 3.29 ERA in 104 innings. In parts of two seasons at the MLB level, Godfrey has a 5.09 ERA in 46 innings.

According to WEEI’s Alex Speier, Godfrey was cited in Baseball America as having the “best command” in the Pacific Coast League last season.

Although the move appears meaningless, Godfrey may yet become another chip in a larger pitching plan as Boston looks to position themselves more favorably in MLB’s pitching sweepstakes in the last two months of activity before pitchers and catchers report on February 12.

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.

Lester is all but certain to be better than that in 2013. He may not be the same pitcher as he was pre-2012, but his mistakes looked largely mechanical rather than stuff-wise. Hopefully former pitching coach and newly acquired manager John Farrell can get him sorted out to the #2 or #3 starter he should be. His strikeout and walk rates have gotten progressively worse since setting career highs in 2009 and 2008, respectively, but hopefully he can sort that out in 2013. Bill James projects him for a 12-12 record and 3.71 ERA in 2013, with his strikeout rate climbing up to 8.19 from a career low 7.28 in 2012.

Aug 18, 2012; Papillion, NE, USA; Omaha Storm Chasers center fielder Wil Myers (8) prepares to hit in the third inning against the Nashville Sounds at Werner Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Ryerson-US PRESSWIRE

Wil Myers isn’t as well known as Lester, but among baseball circles, he generated a ton of hype this past year. Already the Royals top prospect, Myers made a run at being a Top 10, possibly a Top 5 prospect in all of baseball after a magnificent 2012 year. Between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha, he hit to a .314/.387/.600 slash line with 37 home runs and 109 RBIs.

Myers is only 21 years old and if he isn’t right now, is very close to being major league ready. He did strike out 26.8% of the time, but also walked 11.6% of the time– a quite respectable rate. A right fielder, he would probably compete for a starting job during spring training. As a right-hander with ample power, Myers would likely anchor that job for years to come and be a very good player.

Just by Myers’ ceiling alone, it would be very hard to turn down a Lester-Myers trade straight up. Lester is a question mark coming off a rough 2012 campaign, and his trade would enable the Red Sox to sign some big money free agents. Although the $11.625 million left on his contract (he also has a $13 million option for 2014) isn’t much, it would give them more payroll space. They could use an even more open payroll to sign a solid pitcher of the likes of Anibal Sanchez or Edwin Jackson.

If the Royals were willing to trade Myers for Lester alone, I would probably make the deal. If the Red Sox had to add a kicker (depending on the size), I would be more inclined to turn down the offer despite Myers’ ceiling. It’s true that Lester has the potential to return to the #2 starter stud he once was. However, it’s equally likely that his decline will continue and Myers will become a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate for the Royals. The details of the trade are unknown, but if it’s Lester or Myers straight up, I’d strongly advise Ben Cherington to take that deal.

If the deal goes down, Jose Reyes and a five teammates are moving from sunny Florida to the Great White North. Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

In the end, it was irresistible – like candy in a candy store to a six year-old. You know it’s eventually gonna make you sick but you just can’t help yourself. Must…have…sweet..sweet…revenge.

Today the Toronto Blue Jays reportedly dove into the world of Fireballs (pitcher Josh Johnson), Good & Plentys (pitcher Mark Buehrle), Twizzlers (shortstop Jose Reyes), Gobstoppers (catcher John Buck) and Saf-T-Pops (utility infielder Emilio Bonifacio) in a mammoth 12 player deal with the Florida Marlins. The deal isn’t done – physicals are pending – but with the move the Blue Jays are clearly signaling in one felled swoop that they’re sick and tired of finishing at or near the bottom of the AL East.

At least this much can be said. If the deal goes down the Blue Jays will either become instant contenders or they’ll get to wring their hands raw all at once.

In return it is reported that  Marlins will get at least seven players: shortstop Yunel Escobar, right-hander Henderson Alvarez, Cuban prospect Adeiny Hechavarria, outfield prospect Jake Marisnick, pitching prospects Anthony Desclafani and Justin Nicolino, and veteran backup catcher Jeff Mathis.

The $153 million roll of the dice is reminiscent of Red Sox deals of late with one very distinct exception; the Blue Jays are doing it all in one orgiastic move. It took Boston five years to bring Daisuke Matsuzaka, Carl Crawford, John Lackey and Adrian Gonzalez to Boston.

After having suffered through the Red Sox high rolling, underperforming years I’m just as content to let another team walk the razor’s edge.

You’d gamble or give anything
To be in with the better half
But how many friends must I have
To begin with to make you laugh

Will you still have a song to sing
When the razor boy comes
And take your fancy things away
Will you still be singing it
On that cold and windy day
- Razor Boy, Steeley Dan 

(more…)

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

(more…)

Could Justin Masterson be in a Boston uniform again in 2013? Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

After two years in Boston, Masterson was traded in 2009  to Cleveland as part of the Victor Martinez deal. I intellectually understood the move but emotionally, for a number of reasons, really wanted the Sox to hold onto the promising now 27 year-old.

First, he’s big (6′ 6″, 250), strong and healthy. Second, he’s got loads of upside. He’s heading into the his prime years, making him at the very worst a .500 workhorse innings eater. Although his winning percentage (.352) and average ERA in Cleveland (4.35) were underwhelming, he’s played on some pretty awful Indians teams. Boston was terrible this year and the Indians had just one more win. Third, Masterson is flat out a nice guy and great teammate. He does what he’s told and keeps his nose clean. Given the Beckett/Lackey/Lester circus alternative in the rotation over the past few years, I’ll take it. Hey Ben, bring the kid back. You won’t be sorry.

Masterson’s teammate Shin-Soo Choo has also been mentioned in trade talks between Boston and Cleveland. Choo is another player that fits the mold of Boston’s new, less splashy, more value driven philosophy.

Burned time and again over the past three years by mammoth contract busts, these would be smart moves to make that don’t deplete all your cash reserves on a few high rollers. The Red Sox appear to be reflecting their New England roots by taking a sensible approach this off season.

Oct 3, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo (17) leaps for a home run by Chicago White Sox left fielder Dayan Viciedo (not pictured) in the ninth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Choo, a former pitcher who, with the exception of the 2007 season (Tommy John surgery), has been fairly durable (112 games per season) is a good fielder with a solid bat (an average slashline over six seasons of .291/.380/.471/.851) and has decent speed. The 30 year-old Choo had another consistent 2012 season and could fill either of Boston’s current corner outfield positions

Even if Masterson and Choo don’t end up in Boston, the Red Sox have signaled a more sane approach to trades and acquisitions; low key, low to mid-priced, solid players that don’t come to the team with expectations so high they may very nearly never be able to live up to them.

Low key, smart, conservative, building approach. Those are some words Sox fans can buy into after a three-year orgy of over-price, underperforming talent.

All my friends know the low rider
The low rider is a little higher
Low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer
- Low Rider, War

WAR 7.1 [2011], 6.2 [2012]…Can play 3b, 1b and OF…Won two Gold Gloves in OF… (more…)

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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