RonVermette

I still think Oswalt may not want to sit around for 3 months.

I'm more hopeful that we're going to get Garza & Bailey(or their equivalent). That's all we need to be a better team next year. The rest will be tinkering around the edges.

Whatever money the owners have allowed themselves to spend between now and April will mostly go to a quality starter. How much that is is anybody's guess. That's all they need to have a strong contending team. Has there ever been a major move between Xmas & New Years?

IF they sign one more quality starter to go with a healthy Buchholz our one weakness will see a major upgrade. No one really knows how they're going to do it but I think they know they have to do it to have a positive feeling across RedSoxNation going into the season. The sooner the better, but the best pitcher is more important.

One of the 2 pitchers likely acquired before spring training is probably going to be able to compete with Bard & Aceves for a starting position. Since there's no way of knowing who will be healthy next year, there's really no way of knowing if we'll be in contention.

I think this just means that we are going for 2 or 3 not too expensive pitchers in the hope that oneof them turns out to be another Aceves.

I wonder what the discussion on this board was on September 1st about what we needed next year. I bet most of the talk was about getting rid of Lackey - done for next year. I can't remember the last time we went into an offseason without definitely having to a acquire at least one important position player. We need a #4 starter and I expect us to acquire 3 quality relief pitchers in the hope that at least one of them could be an effective closer. The rest is around the edges, building some depth.

The most interesting thing to me over the last 2 months is how tons of SPECULATION (especially about Luchino) has been increasingly treated as fact.

The have 30 million to spend after losing Papelbon, Drew. Wakefield & Varitek. They paid Ortiz 12.5 this year so there's not much change there. I expect nearly all the 30 mil will go to pitching.

A 2 year 20 mil deal with a club option for a third seems the likeliest outcome since they've already committed to a one year 13-15 arbitration. The sooner they do this the better - to totally focus on pitching.

I wouldn't care if it was February, except that keeps them from totally focusing on signing players.

I wouldn't be surprised if all our additions this offseason were free agent signings. Cherington might get an offer he can't refuse, but not likely this offseason.

I have no problem with them taking as much time as necessary. It's not like spring training is around the corner and the manager usually plays very little role in what players are signed. I assume they're working 24/7 on finding a quality starter and a couple of quality relievers.

Given the unpredictability of injuries, the Sox need to have 7 or 8 potential starters in April, So Bedard will likely be one of them.

Haven't they always avoided arbitration in recent years? Expect a deal on both before the December 7th deadline.