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BOSTON -- One thing the Red Sox have never had during Theo Epstein's regime as general manager is a quiet offseason. In Epstein's first five Hot Stove seasons with the Red Sox, he made headline moves.
So as the Winter Meetings get set to convene in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, could it be that the Red Sox won't strike with one of their patented blockbuster trades or lucrative free-agent signings?
The World Series champions already completed two major orders of offseason business by re-signing third baseman Mike Lowell and right-hander Curt Schilling. As it stands now, the Sox have their entire starting nine -- perhaps with Jacoby Ellsbury replacing Coco Crisp in center field -- in place for 2008. The starting rotation has everybody back from the team that won it all, and prospect Clay Buchholz -- the author of a Sept. 1 no-hitter against the Orioles -- perhaps knocking on the door for a spot in Spring Training.
"It seems like we might have one of our calmer offseasons in recent memory, which is not necessarily a bad thing," said Epstein. "I think it's happening for the right reasons. I think we're lucky enough to have a core of players at the big league level that keeps us competitive at the highest level, and also a strong foundation of young players coming through the system -- some of whom have already made their debut for the club -- that provide us with a promising future."
Where in the past Epstein has felt the need to go out and get an All-Star starting pitcher or a big bat, this time he can see what develops on the market and not force a move. Epstein will still survey all possibilities on the market, but he's in a position of strength, which is where every general manager wants to be.
"We're not in a desperate situation where we feel like we have to completely overhaul our present or our future," Epstein said. "At the same time, we do want to be aggressive in looking for any opportunity to make the club better. We know our 29 competitors are doing the same."
When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, they opted not to bring back Pedro Martinez, Orlando Cabrera or Derek Lowe, while at the same time adding David Wells, Edgar Renteria and Matt Clement.
This group of World Series champions figures to undergo far less tinkering.
"We're never afraid of change," said Epstein. "I think change in baseball is often necessary and oftentimes a good thing. But we're also not going to go out and seek change just for the sake of change. I think in this case, bringing back Mike and bringing back Curt on deals that made sense for the club for the short term and the long term was the right move and will allow us to continue to grow as an organization with some of our young players -- even as we compete hopefully for another World Series."
Perhaps the most pressing matter on Epstein's plate will be Crisp. As Boston's starting center fielder in the past two seasons, Crisp has been a disappointment with the bat, though he was a stalwart on defense -- particularly in 2007. Ellsbury supplanted him in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series and flourished, much like he did in September while filling in for the injured Manny Ramirez.
It seems that Ellsbury's time has arrived, and that leaves Crisp in a state of limbo. The Red Sox will likely see what the market is for Crisp and perhaps be able to fill some of their other holes if the right deal comes along.
What are Boston's needs?
"I think we're feeling pretty comfortable with our starting position players and with our starting pitching, and we'll turn our attention to the bullpen, our bench and see what other opportunities might be out there for us this winter," said Epstein. "But again, now that our starting nine is set and we have plenty of depth -- knock on wood -- with our starting pitching, we're going to turn our attention to the bench and to the bullpen and try to complete the 25-man roster as best we can."
One way the Red Sox's forecast of a quiet Hot Stove season could change in a heartbeat is if Epstein becomes a major player in the trade sweepstakes for Twins ace Johan Santana.
To land Santana, Boston would likely have to part with a major prospect or two. It is unclear if Epstein would be willing to do that.
But the Red Sox are in the advantageous position of not only being champions, but having the core of their roster set before the Winter Meetings even start.
So as the Winter Meetings get set to convene in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, could it be that the Red Sox won't strike with one of their patented blockbuster trades or lucrative free-agent signings?
The World Series champions already completed two major orders of offseason business by re-signing third baseman Mike Lowell and right-hander Curt Schilling. As it stands now, the Sox have their entire starting nine -- perhaps with Jacoby Ellsbury replacing Coco Crisp in center field -- in place for 2008. The starting rotation has everybody back from the team that won it all, and prospect Clay Buchholz -- the author of a Sept. 1 no-hitter against the Orioles -- perhaps knocking on the door for a spot in Spring Training.
"It seems like we might have one of our calmer offseasons in recent memory, which is not necessarily a bad thing," said Epstein. "I think it's happening for the right reasons. I think we're lucky enough to have a core of players at the big league level that keeps us competitive at the highest level, and also a strong foundation of young players coming through the system -- some of whom have already made their debut for the club -- that provide us with a promising future."
Where in the past Epstein has felt the need to go out and get an All-Star starting pitcher or a big bat, this time he can see what develops on the market and not force a move. Epstein will still survey all possibilities on the market, but he's in a position of strength, which is where every general manager wants to be.
"We're not in a desperate situation where we feel like we have to completely overhaul our present or our future," Epstein said. "At the same time, we do want to be aggressive in looking for any opportunity to make the club better. We know our 29 competitors are doing the same."
When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, they opted not to bring back Pedro Martinez, Orlando Cabrera or Derek Lowe, while at the same time adding David Wells, Edgar Renteria and Matt Clement.
This group of World Series champions figures to undergo far less tinkering.
"We're never afraid of change," said Epstein. "I think change in baseball is often necessary and oftentimes a good thing. But we're also not going to go out and seek change just for the sake of change. I think in this case, bringing back Mike and bringing back Curt on deals that made sense for the club for the short term and the long term was the right move and will allow us to continue to grow as an organization with some of our young players -- even as we compete hopefully for another World Series."
Perhaps the most pressing matter on Epstein's plate will be Crisp. As Boston's starting center fielder in the past two seasons, Crisp has been a disappointment with the bat, though he was a stalwart on defense -- particularly in 2007. Ellsbury supplanted him in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series and flourished, much like he did in September while filling in for the injured Manny Ramirez.
It seems that Ellsbury's time has arrived, and that leaves Crisp in a state of limbo. The Red Sox will likely see what the market is for Crisp and perhaps be able to fill some of their other holes if the right deal comes along.
What are Boston's needs?
"I think we're feeling pretty comfortable with our starting position players and with our starting pitching, and we'll turn our attention to the bullpen, our bench and see what other opportunities might be out there for us this winter," said Epstein. "But again, now that our starting nine is set and we have plenty of depth -- knock on wood -- with our starting pitching, we're going to turn our attention to the bench and to the bullpen and try to complete the 25-man roster as best we can."
One way the Red Sox's forecast of a quiet Hot Stove season could change in a heartbeat is if Epstein becomes a major player in the trade sweepstakes for Twins ace Johan Santana.
To land Santana, Boston would likely have to part with a major prospect or two. It is unclear if Epstein would be willing to do that.
But the Red Sox are in the advantageous position of not only being champions, but having the core of their roster set before the Winter Meetings even start.
