5GoldGlovesOF,75

Without googling, maybe even some minor arthroscopy could've extended his career. I'm just talking from amateur experience, where they use laser beams to disintegrate calcified scar tissue to make space (and alleviate bone-on-bone pain) for a better range of motion. I had my shoulder scoped in 1989; when I had my elbow scoped 20 years later, the doc said they now had 20 more instruments of different sizes and powers to use than in the late-80s.

When Koufax quit at age 30 because doctors told him he could be crippled for life, he was only the most dominant pitcher in baseball history. If they had Tommy John Surgery in 1965, Sandy could've rocked for another decade. But Tommy was only 22 in '65, with all of his ligaments still in their original places.

Red Sox pitchers with recent elbow operations: Crochet, Buehler, Giolito, Whitlock, Sandoval, Fulmer, Moran, Sam Kennedy (injured doing the Funky Chicken at the office Christmas party). They'll all be there... but it may be prudent not to count on all being better than ever without any setbacks.

I was about to type that we need more catchers to report, but remembered half our pitchers won't be ready to pitch until mid-season. Some will still show up, though, for rehab... ... we need more trainers and physical therapists to report!

Once there was a way Liverpool was She Loves You, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

If you can have one more free agent signing this offseason -- never mind the actual name of the player -- which one need would you fill? (note: #1-4 would all bat right-handed) 1: DH/OF 2: First baseman 3: Second baseman 4: Third baseman 5: Catcher 6: Closer 7: Starting pitcher ... at this point, I'd pay the relief pitcher, and go with the young bats.

But Sake is (at 13 to 17 percent)! And so Happy Christmas...

Don't forget Fulmer, another guy yet to throw a pitch in Boston, and now the latest TJ rehab reclamation rebin-again redsox retread: Jovani Moran (who Brez and Bailey can only hope to someday refer to as a Bugs Bunny Ultra-Moran). Last year's World Series teams were two clubs who constantly spend at the top of the industry in stockpiling pitching. Look at some of the other playoff teams and how they mainly built pitching staffs: San Diego -- trade lots of prospects; Mets and Phils -- spend-spend-spend; Atlanta, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland -- draft and develop; Houston -- smart scouting and international recruitment... KC -- hit the lotto on the mid-level signings (Mets did, too, after pivoting from big splurges on old Hall of Famers). Breslow and Bailey know the best way is scout and recruit/draft and develop. They just have to change the culture in a front office mired in the 2020s that keeps trying to get by with with low-level signings who are cheap because they're damaged goods. Results are in the standings (for a FO that even blew it with the one guy who finally succeeded -- Paxton, who should've been traded at the deadline, right after he was Pitcher of the Month).

If we consider the Buehler signing as a replacement for Pivetta leaving, remember the cost for one year was about equal -- except Walker accepted the offer that Nick turned down. (I'm a fan who doesn't eat or drink anything with high fructose corn syrup, but I still prefer rooting for players who want to be Red Sox... no matter the reason). Since that's basically the QO the Sox were already prepared to pay Pivetta, they still haven't spent to add to the new rotation that will open the 2025 season. The bullpen is also still short on established talent, but looks better prepared to optimize assets if/when more injured starters return. In other words, just because you can't see the bottom doesn't mean it isn't shallow.

The problem isn't emojis, which some people like to collect and display, to share with others. But it's a blight on society when people weaponize them...

Walker is just starting his 30s... so why can't Sox fans hope he can be like Nate Eovaldi, who -- after two TJS -- established himself as an All-Star and postseason stud that has won multiple rings? The only difference is that Buehler is already a two-time All-Star and World Series champ.

And this has to be the first time in my old life the Red Sox' farm had the #1 prospect in baseball AND the Minor League Player of the Year -- and they were two different guys.

Ok, but you do realize the Red Sox basically offered Pivetta the same one-year deal, which he declined? Buehler, however, was inclined to take it. And now I'm inclined to recline.

Don't trade Crawford. You just added quality depth to the starting rotation. Don't thin it back out the same day. This isn't like trading an incumbent position player to make room to promote baseball's #1 prospect or Minor League Player of the Year. Every starting pitcher in the rotation will break down or at least need a rest at some point. Sign more pitchers to preserve the bullpen arms.

Buehler is more of a perfect fit for the Red Sox than Sandoval, because as of right now, he can pitch to start next season. And in the last series he pitched in last season -- the World Series against the New York Yankees -- Buehler was good. Those fans who care about Boston's year-to-year budget can't even complain about Buehler's contract, since if he shows he can't stay healthy through next season, the Sox won't owe him anything (or have to eat millions to watch him pitch for someone else).

I'm more optimistic than I was when I woke up. I like Buehler more than Flaherty, who had one great year when he was 23 and has been a model of inconsistency for four teams the past two years. Flaherty would've cost a lot more for a lot more years, which may have been a waste of money. The same with Burnes, who will look great on a team actually going for it this season -- but not so much in Year Six or Seven of his soon-to-be massive contract. The Red Sox aren't World Series contenders right now, especially if breaking in unproven youngsters transitioning to the bigs. But they're better in the rotation than last year, with two new starters coming off of star moments last season.

I like Buehler and see some parallels to Eovaldi -- a guy bouncing back from major surgery and surging in the most recent postseason. Both also beat the Yankees on the big stage. Walker also has a better track record, a two-time All-Star receiving Cy Young votes. He's only 30, so less of a chance to be a Kluber in Beantown. If the Sox extend him, fans can only hope he evolves like Eovaldi did into his mid-30s (especially winning another ring)...

Based on health at the end of last season less than two months ago, here's the starting rotation today: Crochet, Buehler, Houck, Bello, Crawford. Whatever the Red Sox get from others who have not yet returned from elbow procedures is a bonus.

BUEHLAH-LUJAH!!!! Some posters will just have to complain he was injured and might be again -- like a kajillion other pitchers... like all pitchers this decade this century. But now there can be no doubt that the rotation that lost Pivetta and added Crochet and Buehler is upgraded. So what if it's a one-year pillow contract -- if he has a good year and likes Boston, maybe he'll want to stay. Meanwhile, find a nice pillow contract on your couch or recliner and enjoy the holidays...

But only if confirmed by Jeff Passive Aggressive.

Further down, Gammons quoted other GM's praising Breslow's aggressiveness at the Winter Meetings. He called it a "willingness to embrace change." I can think of a few changes Red Sox fans would embrace today, with a week to go before NEXT YEAR. "Right now, Red Sox Nation," said one poster, "has an impressive willingness to embrace Adam's apples."

Ya, when it comes to the defensive side of big league catching, I'd rather be good than lucky. Maybe Wong can improve behind the plate. Right now it looks like the front office is counting (besides the money it's not spending) on a lot of players who are already in the system to improve...

Cross off two more starting pitchers: Manaea signs with Mets. Luzardo traded to Phils. Red Sox know if they wait long enough, they won't have to pay market prices for any more starters. OR TALENT. But the team will coalesce during the playoffs without question. There will be a party at Fulmer's house for Boston players to watch Game 1 of the ALDS on TV.

No doubt. But we all know that everything starts with the starts. How many years in a row has it been now that once Boston's shallow rotation broke down, the overuse of relievers led to more losses (notice there is no question mark -- it goes back to Matt Barnes, who was once an All-Star). Beyond all the IL starters the Red Sox seem to stock, another factor that saps the pen is starters who constantly struggle to even go five innings. This major flaw isn't just on the pitchers, but either the front office, the coaching staff or both -- they recruit these fragile guys and decide how best/worst to use them. Bottom line AGAIN: Improving the rotation improves the bullpen. INVEST IN TALENT. SPEND.

It's never too early when the free agents you want that you know would improve your club -- and you know you can afford -- are signing elsewhere, especially with rivals. I see -- and hear -- "lapping" when my rescue dogs reach up to the table and devour whatever food is left (this only happens when people turn their heads -- kinda like Boston execs in the offseason). Brez needs more ravenous dawgs from the front office at winter meetings.