5GoldGlovesOF,75

But most of them share the same question: Why did the Red Sox -- one of the richest MLB clubs in revenue, fan interest and tradition -- stop spending on top talent?

Unlike most other teams that are also all about winning championships, Boston seasons don't really depend on acquisitions any more. Wait -- Danielle from American Pickers is on the line for Breslow and Bailey: "Got a lead on an old abandoned indoor batting cage. Owner says it hasn't been opened for years and will consider any offers. Some rusty machines, buckets of used baseballs, but get this -- a few mummies wearing batting helmets... " B&B: "We are ON IT!"

Guess who MLB.com deems the Most Unpredictable Team this year (based on odds to make the postseason): 1. Red Sox: 37.3-point difference FanGraphs: 51.0% | PECOTA: 13.7%

Notice I didn't list Jerry McGuire. Brez needs Miles from Risky Business whispering in his ear. Every now and then, just say...

He thought Jet Blue was Wally World because a big green monster lives there.

Agents better than Boras: Brian Epstein, Maxwell Smart, Illya Kuryakin... Emma Peel, 99, Mata Hari. Not Orange.

This entire Red Sox season is hopemore.

To promote Spring Training, the Red Sox posted a colorful collage of faces (and Raffy's back) titled "One Week." On top are mugs of Duran and Casas, just above Rafaela and Story (centered)... Bello stretching and Wong catching are on the bottom. But the guy who takes up the most space, with horizontal bat on his shoulders. is Vaughn Grissom,

Of course, as I said "all pitchers are susceptible to arm injuries at any time." But the difference is the Yankees, and other teams perennially in or contending for the postseason continually upgrade with top talent every offseason to build quality depth -- to prepare for eventual and inevitable IL guys... and still stay in contention. The Red Sox don't do that anymore. Fans hope they will again, but all the front office does is hope the affordable players they settle for will stay on the field.

That's a reasonable prediction... if the players returning from injury regain above-average production, and the rookies contribute at least a combined 3 wins through WAR. But here's my problem: if they don't, Boston isn't improved, and could certainly regress, too. Crochet and Buehler are here, and hopefully will be stars (again, the word hope). Statistically, they barely replace Pivetta, who started 12 games in the second half of last season and worked 64.1 IP. Crochet also started 12 and was limited to 38.2 IP. Buehler started 8 and went 38.1 IP. The killer could be the bullpen. Gone are decent to good set-up man Martin and closer Jansen. Breslow did not replace them with equitable talent. Hendriks and Chapman might be good again -- but is anyone convinced they will be? By midseason, would it surprise if Whitlock and Slaten got the 8th and 9th? All pitchers are susceptible to arm injuries at any time. But based on the history of virtually all Boston's current starters and relievers as question marks, how can prognosticators claim with confidence that the Red Sox are definitely improved?

The secret to deciphering this anal yst is to take his words literally. He says the offseason has been "incredible" and we should believe him... because incredible literally means "impossible to believe."

Have to think the hold-up all winter is Breslow insisting on Bloom taking back Yoshida. If the Cards really want to make a deal, that may now be their only choice. Perhaps subsidies going one way or the other are being negotiated... Notice I didn't call Yoshida "Bloom's Binkie" or "Bloom's Abomination" -- because even though he was CBO at the time of the signing, there are a ton of other front office peeps that are somehow still here... after that happened on their watch.

I might be for this acquisition because it would signify an actual change in the defensive structure, which would mean the Sox really are serious about improving their chances at contending. Moving Devers off the hot corner would also be a hell of a lot easier if it's for an all-time Gold Glover whose seven-year peak is better than the average Hall of Fame third baseman (according to bb-ref). The plan may be all for the transition. If Arenado sucks, it will be a lot easier to replace him with a super duper prospect like Campbell or Mayer -- rather than the awkward situation of one of them bumping our veteran $300 million dollar manchild.

Don't you know by now that I have to make up crap -- the front office and NESN has me programmed to shift through their misinformation every day, and regurgitate it back at them, so their interns will relay more confusion to fuel more conflicts of interest kings, queens, jokers and jesters.

The Red Sox have to trade a prospect or two before they become stars, so they won't have to pay market value to extend them. Their company strategy is to over-hype minor leaguers until someone falls for it and trades for them while they're cheap -- in exchange, Boston gets what it really wants: actual big league mediocrity on soon-to-be expiring contracts.

Rolling Stone named "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by the Temptations at #2 on its 100 Greatest Motown Songs list. I like it better than their #1 -- "The Tracks of My Tears" by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. But you can't go wrong with Martha and the Vandelles "Heat Wave" (#4) or "Dancing in the Street" (#9). I also like "The Tears of a Clown" (#10) as Smokey's best. I may even like "Ball of Confusion" (#67) as my favorite Temptations tune. Didn't make the Top 100, but most underrated guitar solos: The Isley Brothers "Who's That Lady?" (ps. I hope somebody signs Pivetta in time for Boston to get a draft pick...)

Pesky's and Fisk's!

FanFool vows to fire any pro sports employee who investigates betting, but any sports judge who doesn't ban bettors will be awarded $200 in bonus bets.

Can't -- he wants a contract for 13 months.

I think I found one, but it looks Japanese. Wait, nope... it's written in New Balance.

Jansen took his ball and went home the last weekend of September. No player respects a guy quitting on his team, and no manager or coach wants a veteran setting that kind of example for a young team.

Another NESN.com headline: "Red Sox eyed Scherzer"... ... as in, Eyed like a Starbucks Frappuccino, but a small Dunkin will do. It may get cold before Sandoval is back, but we can just wait and nuke it next summer.

"Our equipment trucks have been driving aggressively to Florida," he added. "High beams and horn honking on any whiteheads putting along in the middle lane... we'll even pass them on the right if we have to." The Red Sox are entirely basing the season on injured players making healthy comebacks to regain past glories, and prospects becoming instant stars. They're in the business of winning championships, and that's how they do business.

How is the current Red Sox bullpen "improved" like a "writer" claimed in today's online NESN story? If everything goes just right, Boston's relief crew has a good chance to be as bad as last year. The Sox replaced their decent closer and set-up man with the Oldest Chapman and Justin Wilson. Chapman may have some good games, but fans will know quickly if they can ever trust him. Has Wilson ever had a prime? Two years ago he missed the entire season with TJS and a lat injury while trying to come back. Speaking of, we have no idea if Hendriks will be good again. Maybe Whitlock will make a full recovery from his lost season; he's had issues for four summers. Hopefully, Slaten will as good as last year -- before he got hurt... The front office didn't spend to sign anyone healthy with actual talent, but If just a few of these guys turn into Koji and Pap, the bullpen will indeed be improved. Maybe one of the former starters will go into the pen and turn into Eck... we know they won't be needed in the rotation where the durable guys will all make at least 30 starts apiece.

Dodgers rotation: Ohtani, Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Sasaki. Red Sox rotation: Houck, Bello, Tommy John, Tommy John, Tommy John,