The Boston Red Sox are now 5 1/2 games out the Wild Card/American League East. Is it time to start looking at next year?

 

No it is not time yet, but the Red Sox are getting in danger of being in that area. Lets take a quick look at what this team could possibly look like next season. Right now this team definetly needs a bat for now and the future. The Red Sox have Saltalamacchia who they are very high on. So is that the end of Victor Martinez? The Sox really should look into making VMart the DH or 1B. If he becomes the 1B Kevin Youkilis moves to 3rd. 

 

Another question could be Jacoby Ellsbury or Ryan Kalish. Okay well who is not impressed with Ryan Kalish so far this season. The kid is great, maybe not as fast as Ellsbury but has speed. The Red Sox could move Kalish to center field and possibly trade Ellsbury. The Red Sox two big trade chips this off-season could Jacoby Ellsbury and Jonathan Papelbon. 

 

As of right now this is next years starting line up. This is going by who is under contract. Ortiz does have an option, but who knows...

 

C: Saltalamacchia

1B: Youkilis

2B: Pedroia

SS: Scutaro

3B:?

LF: Kalish

CF: Ellsbury

RF: Drew

DH: ?

 

Okay so the Red Sox need someone at 3rd. They could move Youk to 3rd and sign VMart, but who is happy with that if you are a fan? The Red Sox could sign Beltre, but who knows they seem to be cheap with certain players, but will over pay for an inconsistent Josh Beckett, who has really only had one good season with the Red Sox.

 

Here are a few names the Red Sox could look at next season to play the OF:

 

Jayson Werth

Michael Cuddyer (has option)

Adam Dunn

 

Here are some options at DH

 

David Ortiz

Victor Martinez

Adam Dunn

Lance Berkman

Mike Lowell

Adam Dunn is weak in the field so could be be an option at DH for the Red Sox? How would fans feel about letting Ortiz walk for Adam Dunn? Adam Dunn would look like the better option going by the numbers.

 

3rd Base

 

Adrian Beltre

Aramis Ramirez

 

There are not many options the Red Sox really could look into at 3rd base. Mike Lowell would be another, but he is too old to play everyday at this stage in his career. He would be an option at DH though. The Red Sox could re-sign Beltre, but he is a Scott Boras client so who knows... I am not sure how interested they would be in A-ram, but he would be the next best available...

 

The Red Sox could also use Jonathan Papelbon and or Ellsbury as a chip to aquire a 3rd basemen... If the Red Sox included both Papelbon and Ellsbury in a deal they could look at a return of something like:

 

David Wright

Evan Longoria

 

 

The Red Sox may have to add something to Paps and Ellsbury to get a deal like this, but Theo should look into this. Same with going after a top OF to play Left.

 

Relievers: There are a few good relievers that are free agents next season. The Red Sox need bullpen help now, and would need even more if they move Papelbon. Here are a few names they could look into:

 

Brian Fuentes 

Scott Downs

Frank Francisco 

Kerry Wood

Houston Street

Jon Rauch

Scott Shields

Dan Wheeler

 

My Line up for next season... This is me playing Theo Epstein/Terry Francona

 

CF Ellsbury/Kalish

2B Pedroia

3B Youkilis

DH Adam Dunn

1B VMart

LF Jayson Werth

RF Drew

SS Scutaro

C Saltalamacchia

 

Now who doesn’t think that line up competes with the Yankees and Rays?

 

Bullpen:

CL: Bard

SU: Rauch

SU: Street

 

If the Red Sox could add both Rauch and Street they have one of the best bullpens in the American League. Keep Manny Delcarmen... He can be okay at times and could be a decent middle relief guy with the likes of Felix Dubront and Michael Bowden. 

 

If the Red Sox are willing to spend some money this off-season the Yankees and Rays could be looking up on the Red Sox next season.