I think they are bringing these guys in to basically say to the fans, "we really do care. Look at all the $$$$ we're spending!"
I don't think offseason moves aside from bringing in a top of the rotation starter will really help the Sox win in the near future. If they're going to pack it in, I'd rather them give the youngs an opportunity to win a job in ST (which Ciriaco should have been given last year when he was killing it in ST).