The New Year

2008 is over and now we look forward to 2009, with Spring Training just 5 weeks away. The year started with a....well, with something yesterday as the Yankees announced the signing of Mark Texeira. I have been impressed with the response of most Red Sox fans who have taken a rational, Theo like approach to the failed courtship of Mr. Texeira. This is a good team already, loaded with solid veterans and rising young stars, that won 95 games last year. Currently, as is well known, the Red Sox most glaring short and long term need is a catcher. Texeira certainly doesn't fill that hole. The $21 million per year "saved" by not having Texeira on the roster could certainly help in luring a young stud catcher like Brian McCann, Joe Mauer, or Russell Martin when their time for free agency comes. Or perhaps we'll use that $21 million to help sign Youkilis, Beckett, and Papelbon to long term deals in the coming years. What I am confident of is that Theo is already thinking about these issues and that is why a line was drawn over which they would not go for a one time All Star who never finished higher than 7th in the MVP voting.

While the Red Sox have not made any significant moves this offseason (yet), it has been interesting and we've seen more of the creative thinking from the front office in the signing of Junichi Tazawa. Reports I have seen say he is a late first round or early second round of the draft type of talent. Does this guarantee anything? Of course not, but getting this kind of upside for minimal investment is what Theo and company are all about....and don't be surprised if the Sox jump in on some surprising free agents now, as the prices appear to be tumbling for some more than serviceable major league players. 

Keep the Faith. The Red Sox are in very good hands.