Build your 2013 Red Sox

Nice realistic projection. You have 13 pitchers? seems like 1 too many. If we could sign/trade for a solid #2 starter and send Rubby to Pawtucket, then I would feel better with this lineup.

i doubt that we only make one move this offseason and that it would be McCarthy. Whats the hurry to find a new manager and resign Ortiz and Ross if they arent going to try to make some moves?

To build my 2013 Red Sox, I first have to define what my goal for 2013 is. Having won 2 World Championships in the last 10 years, I do not think that having a goal of a +.500 ballclub, or even a playoff ballclub, is a goal that the Sox should set. The goal should either be, Option A - put together a championship caliber ballclub for 2013, or Option B - begin building a club in 2013, that can win a championship in 2014 and moving forward. Looking realistically at this team, a championship in 2013 could be a possibility, however to accomplish it, the club would likely have to resort to overpaying for players, either in terms of contracts (free agency) or prospects (trades), that will not lend itself to long term success, and which will hardly guarantee a playoff team let alone a championship. Lets be for real, it would be extremely difficult, and even more costly, for the Sox to build a team this offseason, that would look anywhere near as competitive as the 2012 Red Sox looked last spring, and we all know how that club ended up. For that reason, I hope that the Red Sox management takes an Option B approach to 2013.

I think most decisions should be made with an eye towards the future, though some can be made with the now in mind, or the heart (for example, I would not be against giving Ortiz a 2 year deal, providing he were willing to compromise a little and settle on an annual salary in the same range as the last couple of years).

To me the first thing that must be set in place is the manager, I am fine with Farrell as long as any compensation is a B prospect or less (maybe someone like a Linares or a Vitek). Wallach, Ausmus, and Pena all seem like solid candidates as well and I'd be fine with any of those 3 if Toronto is going to demand more for Farrell.

The next big decision in my mind is Ellsbury, JBJ is the centerfielder and likely leadoff hitter of the future for the Red Sox, perhaps as soon as 2013 at some point, what that means as far as Ellsbury is concerned is that if the Sox can resign him they are resigning a LF. The Sox should approach Ellsbury this offseason about an extension, and should make an offer commensurate with how they would pay a 29 year old LF with elite skills but an extensive injury history. My guess is that Boras will advise Ellsbury to play the year out and test free agancy, and if so I think the Sox should trade Ellsbury as soon as they can get the maximum return for him (probably just after the big name Free Agents sign). Now I realize, that could leave the Red Sox with some mix of Sweeney, Kalish, Lin in CF, just keep in mind that Bradley is on the horizon.

Sticking with the outfield, the candidates for LF and RF, I am in favor of resigning Ross if the Sox can get him on a fair deal, which for me is south of 4 years, and south of $8M per. Nava should be given a chance to compete for a spot, as should Podsednik, and Lin/Kalish/Sweeney could be possibilities in those spots if not being utilized in CF. As for FA's the 2 big names to me are BJ Upton and Josh Hamilton, Upton's OBP dipped below .300 last year and though his power took a good jump, I am guessing he will have to be vastly overpaid. Hamilton is intriguing for 1 reason, all of the red flags might mean that he does not get the mega contract in terms of years or salary that he desires. If the Red Sox could get Hamilton at 4-5 years at $15M per, he could be a gamble that could pay off. I'd be a fool to say that his dependency problems don't concern me, but I think any huge deal Hamilton signs will come with contract language protecting the signing team.

Movig to the infield, Middlebrooks is the 3B, Pedroia is the 2B, that leaves SS and 1B to fill. My opinion is that the SS job should be given to Iglesias in 2013. A full season would give Iglesias a good sample size to show the Red Sox his value, and give the Sox the opportunity to evaluate whether they want to move forward with a defensive whiz with a limited bat at SS, while also being able to watch Xander's progress (and growth) for another year. 1B is possibly the most challenging position to predict for 2013 and moving forward, as far as a long term prospect is concerned, the only one in the system that comes to mind is Travis Shaw, and there seems to be serious doubt as to his ability to hit advanced pitching, looking at our 1B prospects, it is painful to think about having traded Rizzo (hell, I'd like to have Lars right now). Free agent options for this year are less than thrilling, LaRoche will be in demand, and will get too much IMO, I like the Napoli idea, but could even see him getting silly $$$. A Gomez/Sands platoon could be the solution, but certainly isn't going to excite anyone, which means a trade may be a real option. Very tough to predict who is really available, and how much they might cost, speculating who it might be could be an exhausting exercise. Napoli might be the best option, if the Sox have to overpay for him, I'd prefer that it be in dollars vs years (2 or 3 years would be preferable). Long term, I think the Sox 1B could end up being Shaw, or another prospect who changes position (Xander/Cecchini/Jacobs).

Running out of time for now, be back to finish up with C and P later.

My problem with this post is I want to compete next year, but I really think we would be better off for the future if we decided to use 2013 as a year in which we re-build for much greater success starting in 2014. Many of our better prospects will be getting their feet wet this year, but really making a difference in 2014 and beyond.

Keeping this in mind, all of my decisions would be based on getting younger and not using the band-aid approach.

Catcher -- a platoon of Salty (27) and Lavarnway (25)
1st base - trade for Kendrys Morales (28) if not a steep cost
2nd base - Pedroia (29)
shortstop - Iglesias (22)
3rd base - Middlebrooks (24)
leftfield - Kalish (24 ) and Sands (25) platoon
centerfield - Victorino-sign for 2 years/Bradley (22) takes over when ready
rightfield - Ross (32) - resign for 2/Brentz (23) takes over when ready and Ross is our LF

Trade Jacoby Ellsbury to Seattle for Danny Hultzen (23) or San Francisco for Brandon Belt (24)

Rotation: Lester (29), Buchholz (28), Doubront (25), Brandon McCarthy (29), Rubby De La Rosa (23)

Closer and 8th Inning Guy: Andrew Bailey (28) and Junichi Tazawa (26)

Bullpen: Mark Melancon (27), Andrew Miller (27), Clayton Mortensen (27), Alex Wilson (25).......and others

Darin Ruf is Mauro Gomez, and youre willing to trade JBJ for that? That's a joke. He's a AAAA player, nothing more.

Yelich is more valuable than that trade shows. It would have to take more than that to land JJ and Yelich.

The Phillies suck and need OF help so theyre seeing what they can get. Hi is literally the epitome of a AAAA player.

I wouldnt even do that if we got Biddle.

Ok...but where are you going to stick John Lackey? Unless you included him with "..and others" in the bullpen.