Haven't we learned our lesson yet with giving massive contracts to free agents and expecting it to turn the team around?
manny, of course, showing that not all such contracts come back to bite you. but your basic point is correct in that the sox have made some pretty poor decisions in this area.
Dombrowski will fix things.
I imagine Betts, Bogaerts , Swihart, Owens, Erod and a few other key minor league prospects are staying put.
Likely Pedroia, Ortiz are staying
If the offer is right any one or combination of Porcello, Kelly, Vazquez, Bradley Jr. , Castillo, Pandoval, Shaw could trade used as bait.
One player they have to get rid of is Ramirez. I rather have Shaw be the FT 1b next season. Just a horrible signing. Pretty bad defensive player. Time to part ways with Bucholz as well. Hopefully some team will bite
Lineup for next season?
LF - Betts
2b - Pedroia
ss - Bogaerts
DH - Ortiz
3B - Pandoval
1B - Shaw
RF - Castillo
C - Swihart
CF - Jackie
Utility - Holt, Rutledge, Hannigan
Ace - ? (i'm hoping it's Greinke. Price would be ok (not fond of his poor playoffs performances)
2nd - Erod
3rd - Porcello
4th - Kelly
5th - Ownes
6th - Hill
7th - Miley
8th - Wright
Relief
Tazawa
Koji
Breslow
Ross Jr.
Layne
Ogando
Closer
??
Manager - Torey Lovullo (give Farrell another position with the organization)
Hitting coach - Chilli Davis (did a better job in the 2nd half)
Pitching coach - Carl Willis (very good job in the 2nd half. Helped Kelly, Porcello, Miley become better/stable pitchers). Good job developing Owens