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I wouldn't say he's a fringe prospect, but he's not a guaranteed star in the making either. His upside might be a starting OF on decent club when he's up and adjusted to MLB. His power potential is really high, but his other offensive tools might need some help.

It is unrealistic to think we might land an ace period. Perhaps we should really agree to some common terms here. To me, "ace" is reserved for those #1 starters who stand out above the rest. You may see it differently. So, that means a pitcher who would make your team favorites regardless of who is on the mound for the other team, unless that team has an "ace" as well--in which case it is merely a wash.

Each of these projections is a bit optimistic, but to think that some of them can happen is quite reasonable. Just as it is possible that Bradley Jr could contribute this year, it is also possible that even a minor injury (30 days) could derail that plan and have them keeping him in AA-AAA all season. That wouldn't be bad necessarily. Part of the whole "bridge year" thing has to do with maximizing the 6 years of cost-controlledness that these guys offer. So it wouldn't be ideal to start their Major League clocks prior to the team really being able to benefit from them. All that said, I would be shocked if the ox didn't move aggressively to extend this group of prospects early on in their careers to avoid Papelbon/Ellsbury type situation if at all possible.

I think this team i begging for one more bat like Swisher. If there was any way they could pull off Swisher for 4 years it would be an ideal capstone for the club. Probably stick him in LF with some 1B. Ellsbury (L) Victorino (S) Pedroia ® Ortiz (L) Napoli ® Swisher (S) Middlebrooks ® Lavarnway/Salty (R/S) Igleias ® That's a pretty formidable lineup. It isn't like the Angels with Trout and Pujols and Hamilton, but in terms of L/R, patience, veterans, etc., it could certainly compete offenively. I jut can't see this club going into 2013 with Gomes and Kalish as their LF. Of course, I ALSO can't really see them wanting to take on the additional risk asociated with signing anyone to a 4-5 year contract. Their optimal situation is to sign players for the next 2-3 seasons who give them a reasonable chance to compete, while also having most of those players come off the books in time to rebuild again soon.

Really? Favorites in the east? If they are favorites with Dickey they are favorites on paper only. And, to get Dickey, they undoubtedly have to give up prospects who could make be very very good for the next ten years. The main theme of this offseason is low risk. Trading a bunch of prospects for Dickey, to bolster a team that won't be that great this year, is high risk.

Payroll is all good as far as I'm concerned. They have the makings of a team that could eek into the playoffs if they get great seasons from some guys. If, however, they end up being more average then they will be in a similar position payroll-wise in two years to where they are now, except they should have a lot more young talent on the team to build around.

I don't hate the Dempster signing, actually. 2 years is good because he will be coming off the books after 2014. He's been healthy and relatively successful the past few years. I don't love the deal but think it could have been much worse and he doesn't derail their post 2014 plans at all.

For what it's worth, this moment--this exact situation--is what make the inclination to go for a "splash" so hard. It's not the idea of getting a splash in theory that is hard to be disciplined about; it's the challenge of not just picking up the phone and calling Hamilton to say "okay, tell us what you want and we'll give it to you"--when virtually every other team is making moves.

I have faith that no team can be in so much disarray. There must be some reason going on behind the scenes. Right?

They are a bit baffling. If they are going to punt on this season they should truly punt on it. Take every opportunity to move every valuable (short-term) piece on the roster.

Hey, while other teams are off signing players at least the Sox are making sure that every last 'i' and every 't' is crossed on the Napoli deal that was announced 7 days ago. Wait... what's that? There might be a hold up? Well, I'm sure it is for a good reason. Probably missed an 'i' or something. Christ. Get something done Red Sox.

Yeah, it is odd. Perhaps Marcum is known to be too risky or hates Boston or something? He in particular seems like a guy the Sox could make a sizeable take it or leave it offer to. My only hope is that BC has something more significant in the works here.

You won't find me among them. They need to improve the rotation one way or another. Not even a VAST improvement, just someone with some upside to get through 2013. Even that isn't standing pat.

Agreed on Bailey. Sox should at least get a pick for Ellsbury when he leaves, and I don't think Bailey is enough return. Bailey plus high upside lower minor leaguer maybe.

I don't think they can afford to move Barnes for anyone other than truly elite, no doubt pieces. That's probably what you are saying too. Even for a guy like Bauer it would be a stretch unless he was the main significant piece. Felix? Yeah, I'd do that. I'm not interested in moving Bradley but realize it might be a good idea if the right offer comes along. A mediocre season in AA from him and his value drops considerably. Honestly, I'm disappointed that the Rays got Myers (in an enormous player heist, too). The Sox are in a tough spot where they don't have the depth to be competitive if they deal Lester and can't afford the PR or financial implications of a full rebuild. Also, the other pitching they would need isn't really out there on the market. Signing Sanchez would make up part of the difference but not enough. Our best hope is that Lester returns to form as the pitcher he was the five previous seasons. There is precedent for good pitchers experiencing a bump in the road like this. Cliff Lee comes to mind.

So maybe he's the perfect candidate to make available in a trade for a SP. what is his absolute peak comp? An elite multi year gold glove CF with decent power and okay speed? High OBP with low SLG, maybe a few years over .900 OPS but more likely in the .800s. Sound reasonable? A tori hunter type? With better OBP and worse power? I'm just guessing. He's coming off an electric campaign in milb and his value could easily diminish with injury or just meeting better competition. Great talent but whereas Barnes might be untouchable, Bradley might be reluctantly available.

They would have traded Ellsbury prior to last season.

I really hope that this deal means that TB is no longer interested in being involved in the AZ-CLE-TX-TB deal that was rumored. C'mon Sox, jump in, go for Upton or Bauer and add something for the future here.

Damn, that's quite a haul from TB. That sucks. Another offensive piece for Tampa Bay. Hope their pitching runs dry.

Yes, I saw your ubber spectacular deal. I don't think Tb would want to help the Sox get a bunch of good pieces, but otherwise it was very creative.

The Red Sox should forget about Hamilton and go for Upton, IMO.

It didn't suck so much when they took the Red Sox 3 biggest contracts off the books and gave the Sox 2-3 decent prospects in return. The fact that baseball in the LA area generates enough cable revenue for a team to spend like this can't be entirely bad for baseball. It's like saying the Yankees were bad for baseball. Yeah... kinda... but they brought the ratings like no other team and make the game more interesting by giving everyone a team to root against. i'm just glad the dodgers aren't in the AL East.

His numbers are comparable, but not as good, as Lester's through the same age. People weren't clamoring to call Lester an ace at the time. Hence, I will call him a 'near' ace.

Maybe do an overpay on Jackson for two seasons with an option. Last year he made 11m, so what would make sense for this year? He wasn't particularly good last year. Gavin Floyd might be an option too. Interesting note: Floyd was actually traded by the Phillies with Gio Gonzalez to the White Sox for Freddy Garcia. Gio had previously been traded from the White Sox to the Phillies as a PTBNL with Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome. I didn't know that Gio had been traded so much: CWS --> PHI (Thome) PHI --> CWS (Garcia) CWS--> OAK (Swisher) OAK--> WAS (minor leaguers) I think he's a great example of a 'near' ace who was moved around to get better pieces for teams hoping to win more quickly.

He definitely could, especially if another GM comes alone who is more attractive I just think that the Sox are in a bit of a unique position with LL having so much hands-on involvement both in the PR and baseball ops side of things. So far nothing BC has done is bold enough to warrant scorn, and LL is involved enough to be able to push a deal if there is one pending. The responsibility lies as much on him as on anyone else. They can always scapegoat someone, but if the moves aren't there, they simply aren't there. They can go for mid-tier guys, but they just need to ensure they are paid like mid-tier guys. It makes me very nervous to hear about them possibly paying Kyle Lohse for 3 years. I would much rather they wait--like last year--and get the guys who are left when everyone else is gone. Unlike last year, they should actually have the money to sign the most attractive pieces who are left.