a700hitter

It's my term, I get to define it with regard to baseball acquisitions. My recollection with Beltre was that he wasn't coming off a debilitating injury that would affect his performance. I think he got hit in the balls without wearing a cup. It might be acutely painful, but it doesn't affect baseball skill long term.

Shoppach hit Sabbathia like he owns him in my recollection.

I guess this would fall under the category-- "under the radar." So much for Lavarnway getting playing time.

The difference between Buehrle and Lackey is that Buerhle is much more durable and consistent. Prior to coming to the Sox, Lackey had arm trouble for 2 years and did not get to 30 starts in either year.

I think the Giants have either extended Cain or are in the process of extending him, so I don't think he will be available next year.

Papelbon was the best closer in Red Sox history who had done the job since 2006. There's nothing wrong with getting Madson, but for a few million more and a year longer, a lot of us would have preferred to keep Papelbon. No one is saying anytjhing of the sort. From observing the few moves that have been made on his watch, I.e. The loss of Papelbon, the inexplicable arbitration offer to Ortiz and the managerial hiring process, many fans are not feeling very confident. Couple that with hias inaction at the Winter meetings and his barely coherent statements to the press during those meetings and people are getting concerned. No one wants him to publisht the team's strategy, but we'd like to see some positive signs. Are you seeing anything positive so far? IMO, we need a right handed bat in the OF. Four lefties in the OF on a team where 2 of the 3 sluggeres are also left handed is not a very balanced team. I'm not sure what you are talking about with this "ammunition" reference. I don't think the FO is not making FA moves to avoid criticism on TalkSox, and I am equally sure that all of the fans on TalkSox, except the Yankee fans, would want the FO moves to work out.

Start printing the playoff tickets.

If Valentine likes Darvish and the Sox go after him, I would have to think he has what it takes to be really successful. Valentine never thought much of Dice K and he was right.

We have 2 left handed hitters with about 1 combined season of ABs to share RF. I think most people think we need a right handed stick in the OF.

A move like that could really put the Marlins over the top in 2012.

I think everyone realizes that the Sox can be a good team if they fill a few holes, i.e. the entire bullpen. Right now we ain't seeing anything and people are worrying. Offering arb to Ortiz and talking about staying under the LT cap doesn't inspire a lot of confidence or hope right now.

Saito signed with DBacks. Another reliever comes off the board.

Both the Rays and the Yanks made the playoffs last year. Not only have the Sox not added anyone, but they lost a big guy. The Sox are the team that needs to get better to catch the Yanks and Rays. So far, they have gotten worse. BTW: The Yanks did re-sign Freddie Garcia-- not a big move, but he should be in their rotation this season again. The Rays just signed Matt Moore for the next 8 years-- he's got a great looking young arm. They also signed Jose Molina.

At the top of Benny Boy's agenda today was to select the throwback uniforms for the Turn Back the Clock 100 year anniversary of Fenway. No player moves today. Tomorrow he has scheduled meetings with his staff to summarize their meetings at the Winter Meetings. No player moves are on the agenda for tomorrow. On Wednesday, he plans on presenting Ortiz's agent with a formal 2 year offer for a total of $16 million which Ortiz's agent will immediately throw in the garbage. There will be no other player moves on Wednesday. After all that hard work, Benny will probably take a 4 day weekend rest.

We are coming up on the middle of December. When are the Sox going to do something?

and Epstein has a SS in Castro so he has no need for him in Chicago.

If they are thinking of getting through this season on the basis of a year long celebration of Fenway's 100th birthday, that will not go over well with the fans if they don't build a team to win in 2012.

When I was a little kid, my Dad would call be a chowder head. I should sue Legal Seafoods.

Fred, I agree with almost everything in your post. A lot of things need to go right for the Sox this year to be a strong playoff team. We have both been around long enough to know that when you enter a season with lots of "ifs" it almost always turns out bad. The only disagreement I have is with the suggestion to dumpster dive for a 5th starter. That has a low probability of working out. That's why it is not "low risk high reward" like Theo used to like to call it. They are long shots which by their nature are high risk, no matter how little you spend on them. Theo either had a fundamental misunderstanding of investments or he was just deliberately misleading the fan base when he used that completely ignorant term.

The drunk was shown the door. He's in Chicago now.