Well... The problem is not spend, the problem is how you spend. This team has a need since 2011: pitching. They haven't addressed that problem yet, instead they have put their atention and bucks on managers and guys like Gomes and Victorino. We should have fixed the pitching since last year and we did not, and unless our FO has a master plan in that regard this offseason, seems like our rotation will be even thinner than last year.
At this point, I'm not asking for an ace; I'm just asking for a couple of guys that could eat innings, like Sanchez and Jackson combined with a solid BP which could give us the opportunity to compete next year. Sure, you probably will overpay them, but that is the price you have to pay for waiting and pass on several pitchers. There's no a perfect deal. As I've been saying, sign Sanchez and Jackson and go with the current offense and next year focus on a centerpiece bat and an ace SP (if needed)
Imagine.
Sanchez
Buch
Lester
Jackson
Lackey
Depth: Douby
Ells
Victorino
Peedy
Ortiz
Napoli
WM
Ciriaco
Salty
Gomes/Kalish
Bailey
Bard
Uehara
Morales
Aceves
Hill
Tazawa
Bench
Kalish
Iggy
Lav
The 2013 payroll would be under 160 or so... And still have flexibility for the half of the season if you need a move and toward 2014.
I mean, it is not the best offense in the MLB but IMO could be decent, and the rotation has not an ace but could be very solid on paper. As I said, in 2014 focus in a centerpiece bat and an ace (depending on the performance of the 2013 rotation), but you have to start with something.