Ok i understand the flexibility part & agree they need to be able to go out & get inseason pieces. Swisher is the 2nd best bat out on the market currently in FA. But with Swisher compared to Hamilton would you slot him in the 3rd spot in your line-up over a man of the caliber of Josh Hamilton who is gonna hit you 35 to 40hr and 100+ RBI while swisher will hit 20 - 25hr and 85RBIs, Hamilton is gonna cost more yes but swisher is gonna want a long term deal as well.
The Red Sox current payroll is at around 120 million including arbitration players + Nap and Vic. Why not go after Hamilton give him the 25 million per year. The payroll will be at 145the million last year the payroll was at 175, still 30 million less committed this year, with room to still go out and get some arms on short term deals.