On Sunday night, the jolly old elf donned a Red Sox cap and jersey as he delivered the first big present under the Christmas tree of Red Sox Nation: A superstar first baseman by the name of Adrian Gonzalez. Then, on Wednesday night, he put another gigantic present under the tree, one worth $142 million--Carl Crawford. Both players are .300 hitters and gold-glove defenders; one brings the power and the other brings the speed. They make a pitcher's life easier by providing run support and making plays that help keep the ERA down. If everyone stays healthy, they have a lineup that can easily compete with that of the Yankees.
All they need now are a few reliable bullpen arms. Even the best offenses can't bail out a leaky bullpen night after night. Besides Bard, Pap, Doubront, Wake, and maybe Atchison, they need 7th-8th inning guys to take some of the burden off of Bard. Scott Downs is probably the best candidate, with Matt Guerrier, Pedro Feliciano, Rich Hill, and Kevin Gregg among other possibilities.
The Sox are also in the hunt for Russell Martin, who was recently non-tendered by the Dodgers. Martin has been struggling with both offense and defense, but with their new lineup they can afford to take a chance on him and Salty could use more work in Pawtucket.
It's been a thrilling off-season so far for the Sox and Spring Training can't come soon enough. 2011--it rhymes with 2007. Just sayin'...
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