As this bizarre off-season drones on without the Red Sox filling major holes, all kinds of justifications are popping up in the town's mainstream sports media. The latest is that Boston's stingy ways are part of a larger, strategic plan that will position the team to take advantage of arcane rules in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The theory is that other teams will be more willing to trade players approaching free agency because they may not otherwise reap the draft picks that came with the old system. So, teams with extra cash at the trade deadline (presumably like the Red Sox) can make blockbuster deals to dramatically improve.There are several problems with this idea. First, as smart as Larry and BenCher are, that's not why they're pinching pennies. The Dreaded Luxury Tax Threshold is what really scares them and they also fear that lessened fan interest could impact 2012 revenues—despite Fenway Centennial Syndrome. Second, with the team as presently constituted, they may be out of contention by July 31st—plenty of cash, nowhere to put it. Third, there may not be any impact players available that fit our needs—and some teams might not want to strengthen Boston's chances.
All in all, the stark reality is that your Carmine Hose are approaching Opening Day with no legitimate major league shortstop or right fielder—and fourth and fifth starter spots that are anything but safe. Are we going to trade for all of these in July?