Hit and Run with Dan Roche

Heard from a Florida mole today that there is "no way Hanley Ramirez" gets dealt this off-season.

Oh well.

As we officially hit day one of the real off-season....think about what you'd like to see from the Sox next season when they announce the Opening Day line-up.

I'll start by saying this is a tough free agent market from a Red Sox perspective. I don't think there's too many guys out there that are an upgrade unless you add arms to the bullpen(Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez), a low-risk pitcher with potential upside(Ben Sheets), or a one year solution(Adam Everett). Other than that...yikes!!! Granted Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, and John Lackey are the premium guys, but at what cost. I would take Bay over Holliday(Boras guy) and wouldn't sign Lackey to a big deal.

So, go find a team and think of possible players that could be found.

Take some time...think about things and get creative. Let me know...

I'll tell you one thing up front...I don't have the answers. And, also remember that the 2009 Boston Red Sox weren't a bad team. They did win 95 games for the third straight season.

My conclusion? I think Theo needs to go out and get one player: Adrian Gonzalez 

Go out and get Adrian Gonzalez any way you can. He's the one guy that can set up the future of the Sox organziation for years to come. You trade what you have to knowing Jed Hoyer knows the Boston prospects better than anyone. Start with Clay Buchholz. After that........it's whatever Jed wants. Bard? Kalish? Lars Anderson? Casey Kelly? Ryan Westmoreland? I still don't know if Jed would pull the trigger...Gonzalez has too good of a contract(4.75 million in 2010, 5.5-mill club option in 2011).

Maybe the Sox would have to take pitcher Chris Young, who is slated to make 6.25-million this season.

Or perhaps, they could make a three- or four- team deal.

And one other note...if they don't re-sign Bay..so be it. Theo can find somebody to play left for now..although they would be a much better team with Bay(or even Holliday).

So here you go......and keep in mind...this is simply for F-U-N. DO NOT TAKE THIS AS FACT. DO NOT START RUMORS!!!

Ellsbury, CF

Pedroia, 2b

Martinez, C

Gonzalez, 1B

Youkilis, 3b

Bay, LF

Ortiz, DH

Drew, RF

Gonzalez/Everett SS

Rotation

Lester

Beckett

Matsuzaka

Wakefield

Young

Hi Gang,

No, I'm not going to get into the 4th down call against the Colts...just trying to get your attention. I've been quiet here on the blog for a week or so as there really hasn't been much going on. I miss the game already, don't you?

I'm as curious as you all are to see what, if anything, Theo and company do here as free agency is officially upon us.

I read and heard David Ortiz's comments about getting at least two bats added to the line-up, including Jason Bay. He's been looking for help ever since the departure of Manny Ramirez(which he was fine with and completely understood btw).

1) I think the Sox will have a hard time re-signing Bay. Once you hit free agency all you need is  one  team to commit to you. One. And, Bay's as consistent a bat(in a good or bad line-up) as you're going to find.

2) I think Theo is going to get creative this off-season...and it will be via the trade route. These things take time as I'm sure Theo and his baseball ops staff have hundreds of ideas/scenarios up on their big board.

So, get ready.....here we go. Enjoy it, but don't be jumping off any Red Sox bridges too soon. Remember, all that matters is what the team looks like on Feb 15th...or for that matter August 1st...or even Sept 1st.

Now that Jason Varitek has exercised his 3-million dollar option and is heading back to the Red Sox at least one piece of the puzzle is set for the 2009 Boston Red Sox.

The combo of Victor Martinez and Varitek should serve the Sox well. Martinez is a rock-solid number three hitter, who should catch about 120 or so games. And perhaps Tek's body can not take the usual toll and be kind to him. Maybe he'll thrive in his role.

As for everything else? Who knows.

Theo Epstein's comments coming out of the GM Meetings in Chicago pretty much said it all. He'll have to get creative(trades) if he is to shake up the 2010 Red Sox.

What that means, we shall see. But, at least it's intruiging for Hot Stove conversation.

Think of the player you'd like to see here. Think of deals you might make. Two teams, three teams, whatever you'd like. Have some fun with it. That's what I'm sure Theo and the Baseball Ops guys have been and will continue doing as the days pass.

Adrian Gonzalez? Felix Hernandez? Hanley Ramirez? Roy Halladay? Go ahead come up with something. Have fun.

I know I will....

Just to clarify.....

With the Red Sox declining Jason Varitek's 5-million dollar contract option for 2010, that now means Varitek has until Wednesday to either exercise or decline his own 3-million dollar option.

If Tek declines he becomes a free agent.

The 37-year-old catcher hit just .220 with 13 HR and 43 RBI in 131 games last season. The Sox also acquired Victor Martinez at the trade deadline and he supplanted Varitek as the every day catcher down the stretch and into the play-offs. Varitek was also dealing with injuries at the time.

The action is flying fast and furious Monday out at the GM meetings in Chicago.

The Sox have accomplished the following:

--they have agreed with Tim Wakefield(coming off back surgery) on a new two-year deal. Wake will make 3.5-million in 2010 and 1.5 million in 2011, plus incentives. The Sox do this deal rather than shell out 4-million. It's because Wake will probably bring his back along slowly and try to get healthy for the second half of the season. He hasn't been able to do that the past few years and I'm sure it's been extremely frustrating.

(Rob Bradford of WEEI.com first reported the new deal)

--they have exercised their option on Victor Martinez's contract at 7.1-million. A bargain....but look for them to try and hammer out a long-term deal now that both sides know what they have in each other.

--they have declined the 5-million dollar 2010 option on Jason Varitek. Tek now has three days to exercise his own 3-million dollar option. I think this depends on how much the Sox want him back and how Tek would handle the full-time back-up role. If he can...and be enthusiastic about it, then I think he'll be back.

--they have declined the 6-million option on Alex Gonzalez. Boston would like to re-sign him at a lower price. For what Gonzalez brought last season, to me, it's well worth bringing him back on a one-year, plus incentives deal.

Nice start to these GM Meetings and we'll see what happens next.....

No surprise that the Red Sox have picked up the 7-million dollar option for Victor Martinez.. It was a no-brainer.

 Nick Cafardo first reported the story.

And, not too much of a surprise that they didn't pick up the option on Alex Gonzalez at 6-million. And, it appears they may try to bring him back for cheaper money which makes a lot of sense. After all, Gonzalez seemed to thrive here in Boston as he played his Gold Glove-caliber defense and hit the ball pretty well. He just looked very comfortable in Boston. Looked like he was having fun. And don't discount those kinds of things as we see the names of all these players that may/may not be coming to Boston.

I would find a way to get Gonzo back for another season and have Jed Lowrie come into camp in February as the utility infielder.

Meanwhile, makes sense that the Sox and Tim Wakefield are re-negotiating their current deal. Wake is coming off back surgery and can take his time. I would love to see Wake be on a John Smoltz-like timetable next season. Let him take as long as he needs, if not longer. He won 11 games last season, but couldn't stay healthy the whole season. Would love to see Wake pitch the second half and postseason next year.

As for Jason Varitek? I think it's a lock that the Sox won't pick up his 5-million dollar option for next season. Question is, will Tek come back at his option for 3-million? Why not? If Tek doesn't think he can go the whole season being a backup then so be it. If he can....bring him on. His knowledge, work ethic, leadership, etc are well worth it.

No real surprise that Theo Epstein went out one day after the World Series ended and acquired a player he liked. And, from what Theo said Thursday night it sounds like a lot of people in the Sox organization like Jeremy Hermida.

The former number-one draft pick of the Florida Marlins hasn't done much yet in his career. However, he's only 25 and most will tell you that sluggers don't really hit their power numbers until around age 28. So, in other words, why not?

It took David Ortiz a while to get it, so perhaps this another low cost risk by the Red Sox.

It's also the beginning of the off-season. To begin with, it's insurance if Boston can't re-sign Jason Bay. ESPN's Peter Gammons says that Jason Bay "brushed off" a 4-year 60-million dollar offer from the Sox, which isn't too surprising considering he's one of the top two hitters on the market. I would think a 5-year, 17-18 per is within reason. If the Sox lose Bay, Hermida is at least a legitimate MLB outfielder.

Hermida could also be included in any kind of trade package(s) that Theo has in mind. And, Theo will be looking at anything and everything to try and improve the club.

The off-season has begun.....

It became official just before midnight on Wednesday night as the NY Yankees won their 27th World Series title...the Red Sox off-season is officially underway.

We'll have plenty of time to get into everything. Theo Epstein was pretty good in talking with us at Josh Beckett's Boston Children's Hospital Champions dinner Tuesday night(and by the way, kudos for Josh and all the remarkable work he's done in a short period of time with Children's Hospital). Theo briefly tough upon Jason Bay and said what we all thought. That this a process and now has to play itself out. In other words, Theo and Jason want to see what the market bears for Bay.

Meanwhile, before we get to all that...I'd like to say "congrats" to the NY Yankees. Job well done. Under the usual Yankee stress, they were able to pull of a win. Yes, they spent a great deal of money in the off-season, but they still had to go out and perform. And they did.

The thing that strikes me about the Yankees is their core group that has been there for such a long time. I love that. Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, and Rivera. Amazing to watch that group of players as they drive others around them to excel. I love and respect the heck out of that. Always have. And if I had to put in order the Yankees that I respect the most? Jeter, Rivera, Posada, Pettitte, Damon. Just good ballplayers that find a way to get the job done.

Five World Series titles for the 4 Yankee mainstays spread out over 14 seasons. Amazing.

Now, I look at the Red Sox and I hope we see the core of players that are there now stay together for a long time. They are those same type of players that the Yankees have had.

Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, Lester, Papelbon, Ortiz, Wakefield, etc....

I know the last two are a bit different as they are getting older. However, they play the game the right way. They care about winning, respecting the game and their teammates. Add Jason Varitek, Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, and a few others to that list as well.

But, it's Pedroia, Youkilis, Lester, Papelbon, and Ellsbury that can lead this team for many years to come. The yound guys that are just now in their prime. I hear people ripping Papelbon and don't understand it. He's been ridiculous in a Sox uniform and should be here for a long time.

We just watched the Yankees pull off another crown...perhaps the Sox core can do the same several times over the next few years.

It would be fun to watch.

Joe Girardi said it was basically instinct and in watching Johnny Damon's steal of second and then third Sunday night in pivotal Game 4 was something special.

Damon changed the game..and maybe the series...with the swipes. In watching the replays on ESPN Monday, Damon had a "split second" to decide whether or not to go. He did and just avoided getting tagged out. And kudos to him on a great at-bat to get on.

After that, Phillies closer Brad Lidge threw nothing but fastballs and paid for it.

Great stuff. The little things win ballgames and that showed right there. Good for Johnny.

BTW, who is your MVP of the WS as we head into Game Five? Right now, I would go with Mariano Rivera.