Boston Red Sox

There's a lot of debate from fans and reporters alike on what the team should be doing this off-season to make the team better. I don't like reading some of the other fan's opinions because they seem mainstream and not thought through very well. Nobody really comes up with alternatives to discuss. There's been a lot of bad-mouthing about the Mike Lowell trade. The backlash is understandable if you look at Lowell's professionalism and ability shown in Boston, but people should trust that their organization is doing the right thing.

Boston will be paying 3/4 of Lowell's salary, $9m, for him to play in Texas. They will, however, receive catching prospect Max Ramirez as compensation.

Now, the grief I have with this is were paying $9m to unload Lowell and it doesn't seem like there are better options on the market for first or third base. I'm saying first as well because, first baseman Kevin Youkilis can also play a pretty good third base and he could just be moved to third. Reports are that Boston likes free agent Adrien Beltre to fill the void at third. Less realistic options are keeping Casey Kotchman as a starting first baseman and moving "Youk" to third. Versatile Mark Derosa is another decent option at third but was injured late last season and might be questionable.

These are all decent options but fans want the splash, the big bat that will make them happy, make a difference. Not always as easy as the Yankees make it look. The Red Sox do need to make a splash though, they need to do something big. They need two big bats, one of which is expected to be Jason Bay in left field. If he ends up signing elsewhere, the general consensus seems to be that they will pay what would then be, Mega-Agent Scott Boras' ransom on Matt Holliday. I have an idea of what they should do for the other one.

One year ago the Angels let Mark Texiera test the market. "Tex" landed the deal he wanted with the Yankees and won a WS ring. But I think the real winners here were the Angels. They let him walk because they had a kid waiting in the wings who got his opportunity and boy, did he not waste it. Kendry Morales. Morales nearly mirrored Teixiera's stats highlighting the same amount of doubles, 43, same range in power 34 to 39 while having a higher batting average of .306 to Tex's .292 and slightly lower OBP(on-base percentage) .355 to .383. Morales also got payed nearly $20m less.

Sorry, I babbled on a bit there. Anyways, I propose the Sox should do what they can to acquire Morales to play first and move Youkilis to thrid base. Casey Kotchman was an Angel before he was shipped to the Braves for Texiera and then sent to Boston for Adam LaRoche this past mid-season. I think an offer of Casey Kotchman, newly acquired catcher Max Ramirez, minor league first baseman Lars Anderson and pitcher Micheal Bowden might interest the Angels. I would even throw in reliever Manny Delcarmen and possibly a mid ranged outfield prospect for him.

You might think to yourself that that would be a lot for one guy, but I see huge things for Morales in the future and I think he'd be worth it.

Kotchman has two years left on his contract and Lars Anderson should be ready to replace him at first by then. Max Ramirez could reinforce the Angels trade for Roy Hallady that they are discussing now, either to use him in the deal or replace Mike Napoli who is said might be involved. I would place Bowden in this deal because he's young and what seems to be the next pitcher in line for the majors but won't crack Boston's rotation. Plus, who doesn't like extra pitching in a deal. Which is why I would throw in reliever Manny Delcarmen as well. He had a rough but good year and might like some new scenery while getting back on track. I'm not sure if an outfield prospect is what they need but there are three spots out there and I'm sure they could add some depth at one of them.

So there it is, that's what I believe the Red Sox should be doing this off-season. I would love to see them do this, and I hope the Lowell deal is a precursor. We'll see.

"The Fanatic"