RedSoxNC84

The talks on Oswalt 'heated up' almost immediately, probably because they already had a deal in principle before even thinking about the Scutaro trade. Also I just came across this: http://sports.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981044034 Think it has any weight at all?

If we do pick up Oswalt at least we fix a hole in our rotation. My money says Bard takes the 5 spot, Aceves stays in his role as Swingman, I'm guessing Mortensen is going to be a BP arm, then we're up to our eyeballs in depth. Then again, we may not even see Mortensen on the 40 man in spring. Who knows.

Clayton Mortensen though? I don't know how I feel about that guy.

It's official.

Ahhhh the Scutaro trade rumor was such a tease.

Apparently at one point CJ Wilson claimed to be working on throwing the gyroball.

Ha yeah basically. At least on the bench he may not be as harmful.. I guess that remains to be seen.

I'm under the impression that if they are going to add any pieces, even though BC has said that they most likely won't, and he has even said he is comfortable with the team as is. IF they do add a piece before ST, it will be after the Ortiz arb case is settled, that way they'll at least know what little flexibility they have left in the payroll, if any.

I was curious myself why MLBTR would repost this. That signing is at least a week old now, right?

Just 1 and 1/2 times as good, right?

Seems to me, as many have said before, it's all about the LT cap. Even though Lucchino said they would more than likely go over, and some posters have calculated that we are already over.. I still don't think there is enough room on the payroll to sign someone like Oswalt. In my opinion getting a solid starter is way more important than getting another outfielder. Yes, I know we are LHH heavy, and no one wants to see DMac starting in left or right for that matter, that in my mind is still secondary to the rotation. The rotation wins games, not the outfield corners. That said, Cherington himself said he would have to move payroll to make room for someone like Oswalt. I personally think they are trying to look out for the future of the Red Sox, not just the 2012 Sox. Even with the top three of our rotation we have a decent staff, it's not the best, but it surely isn't the worst. Even with the shred of rotation that we have, our offense will help us win a lot of games for sure. There is no question about that. I believe that the Sox are "rebuilding" in a way, and by that I mean they aren't just throwing money at free agents to win right now. I would like to see them win, as would any Sox fan, but I'd like to see them win without having to damage the possibility of winning in the future. Our payroll is already handcuffed due to large contracts, and I don't think it should get any worse. Not to mention the percentage that would have to be paid on the LT would probably affect their ability to make future signings.

Here's to hoping that he comes back early, and starts making good on that huge contract he has now. I'm optimistic about it, 2011 wasn't crawford potential, I expect him to bounce back this year, and possibly perform even better the year after... Or he could basically end up being our next JD Drew.

While he has done a lot in Boston, 16mil is a lot for a 36 year old DH. I don't see how they would award him that salary, he should just accept what Boston is offering, seeing that it is still a raise over what he made last season. He's lucky that they even offered him arb. I don't think anyone else would offer him even 2/20, especially any contending team for that matter, no one really has too many holes where the DH is concerned.

Jurrjens does have upside, and he wouldn't be a terrible addition to the team, but there are the injury concerns, that and I personally think he wouldn't perform all that well in the AL East.

More than likely, I'm just being optimistic.

Maybe the mystery team is the Sox?

I'm willing to bet something will happen before the weekend is over.

Lavarnway stays at C and splits some time at DH, there is really no other possibility for him on this roster.

Either way Pineda is a huge upgrade over Burnett, and at least he won't be calling himself "nasty" when he's giving up four runs per start.

+1