Red Sox Roundup

Well, don't you all feel better? The centerfield and shortstop holes have been filled, and the Olde Towne Team is shaping up.

After an arduous and sketchy month or so, the Sox finally came to terms with the Cleveland Indians, acquiring highly touted Coco Crisp, relief pitcher David Riske, and backup Catcher Josh Bard. The Sox sent the Indians 3rd base prospect Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, relief pitcher Guillermo Mota, a player to be named later, and cash considerations.

This deal was in the works for some time, and to give an idea of what it took to get this done, there were some 100 calls on the cell phone between Sox Assistant GM Jed Hoyer and Cleveland assistant GM Chris Antonetti.

Today, ESPN.com and Boston.com are reporting that the Red Sox and Alex Gonzalez, former Florida Marlins shortstop, for a 1 year deal for approximately $3 million. This acquisition fills the hole the Sox created when Edgar Renteria was traded earlier this off-season to the Atlanta Braves.

So, Bostonists, the Sox lineup as of today, looks likes so:

1. Crisp - CF
2. Mark Loretta - 2B
3. David Ortiz - DH
4. Manny Ramirez - LF
5. Jason Varitek - C
6. Trot Nixon - RF
7. Mike Lowell - 3B
8. Kevin Youkilis / J.T. Snow - 1B
9. Alex Gonzalez - SS

Not bad, eh? Especially defensively, seeing that Gonzalez, Snow, and Lowell have won gold gloves, and Loretta is a solid 2B. Crisp is also a very good outfielder, although he played mostly left field in 2005 due to the emergence of Grady Sizemore (and his emergence in CF allowed for the Indians to make Crisp expendable).

With only a few weeks before Spring Training and the inaugural World Baseball Classic the Red Sox roster has finally shaped up. It took a long time, and several moves, but Bostonist believes that this is a very competitive team with a great chance to be as offensively productive team as the past few years (providing Manny continues being Manny at the plate). The Sox have beefed up their lineup, and increased the depth of their pitching staff for the 2006 campaign.

So the remaining question would be who was responsible? Theo came back, and all of a sudden, these deals were consummated. So, was it Theo, his influence and his GM skills? Or was Larry Lucchino responsible? Or the co-GM / co-Assistant GMs? You know what Bostonists? Who cares!?! The organization got on the same page and has built a formidable squad for 2006. As fans, we should be proud and excited about the possibilities of the 2006 Red Sox and their upcoming season.

Photos courtesy of www.bostondirtdogs.com (Crisp) and ESPN.com (Gonzalez).