For some reason, a lot of FN readers think we are too negative. I can't image why (insert heavy irony here). "If you're so smart", these readers say, "tell us what you'd do if you were running the Red Sox". Fair enough. Here's my prescription to improve the 89-win, "missed the playoff" Carmine Hose. All these suggestions assume: the NOG is telling the truth about the available resources for non-soccer operations; the signing of David Ortiz and the non-signing of Beltre and V-Mart.Job One—Fix the Manny Hole. Since Manuel Aristides (Onelcida) Ramirez departed for La-La Land, we have not had a feared right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup. Period. Jason Bay was a nice approximation for a year and half, but he never instilled the kind of fear that Manny did in opposing pitchers. Solution: out-bid everybody for Jayson Werth.
Job Two—Fix The Bullpen. J.J. Putz and Jon Rauch are minimum additions that can be had on the free agent market. Add in Brian Fuentes from the left side and mix in Bard and Papelbon and fans can once again spell "relief".
Job Three—Get Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox need to consummate the long-rumored trade for left-handed first baseman of the Padres. If it means giving up some combination of Ellsbury, Dice-K, Casey Kelly and Josh Reddick—so be it. A-Gon is that good.
Job Four—Sign Miguel Olivo as the primary catcher. Re-sign Jason Varitek to a one-year deal and make him the back-up again.
Thus, the 2011 Red Sox would have the following line-up:
1. Marco Scutaro, SS 2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B 3. David Ortiz, DH 4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B 5. Jayson Werth, LF 6. Kevin Youkilis, 3B 7. J. D. Drew, RF 8. Ryan Kalish, CF 9. Olivo, C
The rotation (assuming a trade of Dice-K) would be:
1. Lester 2. Buchholz 3. Beckett 4. Lackey 5. Wakefield/Dubront
I think this team can win another World Series now.