2008 Boston Red Sox

In times like these, I like to look to the future. I could sit here and write about how i hate this team, how i can't believe this is happening, or how much i want Theo and Tito out of town. I will not do that because all it does is get me more angry. So instead, i'm going to take a look at what the team might look like come next April. Obviously, this will all be speculation but it is interesting to look at.

Under contract
C - Jason Varitek ($9 M)
1st - Kevin Youkilis (>$1 M)
2nd - Dustin Pedroia (>$1 M)
SS - Julio Lugo ($9 M)
3rd - UNKNOWN
Rf - J.D. Drew ($14 M)
Cf - Coco Crisp ($4.75 M) or Jacoby Ellsbury (>$1 M)
Lf - Manny Ramirez ($20 M)
DH - David Ortiz ($12.5 M)
Bench - Coco Crisp ($4.75 M) or Jacoby Ellsbury (>$1 M)
Bench - Alex Cora ($2 M)
Bench - Wily Mo Pena (>$3 M)
Bench - UNKNOWN

SP - Josh Beckett ($9.5M)
SP - Daisuke Matsuzaka ($8M)
SP - Clay Buchholz (>$1M)
SP - Jon Lester (>$1M)
SP - Tim Wakefield ($4M)*
RP - Julian Tavarez ($3.85M)*
RP - Hideki Okajima ($1.25M)
RP - Javier Lopez (>$1M)
RP - Manny Delcarmen (>$1M)
RP - UNKNOWN
RP - UNKNOWN
Cl - Jonathan Papelbon (>$1M)

*Those players have club options. The Sox may choose to let them walk, but for now lets assume they don't.

Based on those totals, the Red Sox have around $105 million rapped up on next years team. They have to replace 4 positions, /3rd baseman/backup catcher/2 relief pitcher. I doubt they will be able to replace the 4rd baseman internally. That means they will have to go outside the organization or resign Lowell. We will get back to resigning players later. Their isn't much on the market in terms of 3rd baseman. For free agents, the Sox would be picking between Mike Lamb and Pedro Feliz. Both are really below average and i strongly doubt the Sox would sign either to start.

In terms of a trade, their are a couple guys that might be on the blocks. The long shot is Miguel Cabrera. He is one of the best young players in baseball, but has some downsides. He will cost the Sox a lot to get and his weight issues and defensive skills are suspect. A name that hasn't been talked about is Garret Atkins. Their is a log jam in Colorado and Atkins might be the odd man out. I am not really sure how much it will cost, but if it is reasonable it could be a great pick up. Being a righty, he will have a chance to thrive in Fenway. Last year was a breakout year, but this year he has regressed. I am not all that worried about that. His LD% and GB% are great. He is just getting unlucky in terms of BABIP. Don't be surprised if you see Atkins at the hot corner next year.

The backup catcher situation is really not a huge deal. Their is a small chance that they could look inside the organization. George Kottaras might be a good enough hitter to be a backup. He is also appealing because he has experience catching the knockleball. Mark Wagner and Jon Still are probably at least a year away. Externally is the more likely route. I honestly have no clue who they will target. The only thing to keep in mind is Wakefield has implied that when Mirabelli goes, so will he. Keep an eye on that in the off-season.

The Red Sox will most defiantly look internally for atleast one of the two openings in the bullpen. Devern Hansack has been great in AAA. If given the shot, he could be a very good long man. Travis Hughes has had a long road to where he is right now, but he is shining right now. While he is pushing 30 years old, he has posted a sub-2 ERA for almost the hole season. I have a man crush on Craig Breslow and am very confident in his abilities to pitch in the majors. Than you have to mention Craig Hansen. He is the most talented of the bunch but has yet to reach his potential. He is coming around of late, so i wouldn't be shocked if he is on the team. Their are guys on the free agent market, but nothing that seems right. Maybe a Scott Linebrink or Kerry Wood would be worth a look but i wouldn't go their. The price will be higher than the rewards. If I was in charge Breslow and Hansack are the guys i would go with.

Now that we have an idea of who is staying here and who might replace the departed, maybe it's about time to see who is actually leaving.

Expiring Contracts
Curt Schilling - $13M
Mike Lowell - $9M
Matt Clement - $9.5M
Eric Gagne - $6M
Eric Hinske - $5.625M
Mike Timlin - $2.8M
Brendan Donnelly - $1.4M
Doug Mirabelli - $.75M

For those players to rejoin the Red Sox, they would need to sign new contracts. Lets assume they don't and try to predict their Free Agency status. I think Curt Schilling, Mike Lowell, and Eric Gagne will all be Type A free agents. That means if they sign with a team other than the Red Sox, the Sox will receive a first round and supplemental round draft pick from the team they sign with. That right there is six high draft picks for the Sox to work with.

I find it very difficult for all these players to walk. It has been reported that Curt Schilling really wants to stay. It remains to be seen if the Sox have anywhere near the interest that Schilling has. He is getting up their in age and has shown signs of deterioration of late. Eric Hinske isn't an awful bench player. He can play multiple position and has good on base abilities. Wakefield really wants Mirabelli to stay. I'm not sure if that is going to be enough reason to keep the awful bat the Mirabelli has. Lowell is the most likely to stay. Everyone on the team loves the guy, he loves it here, and he has succeeded. With a very limited amount of options at 3rd, Lowell will probably be back. If they can get him for something like a 3 year 30 million dollar deal, they should do it.

There is still a lot of time between now and April. Hell, there is still 2 months of this season. I just needed to think about something that isn't bad. I hope it got everyone mind off of the crap the is happening.