Maybe we can entice Dice K to come back.

Agreeing somewhat with your numbers (you’re way over on the pre-arb eligible number and on the very high side of correct on the arb-eligible number), I come up with the Sox at roughly $154MM, including benefits, to date, for 2013.  They have less than $24MM left to stay under the tax limit.

Alex, have the Sox given any consideration to signing Berkman? He’d be a nice platoon with Gomes in left and Napoli at first. The Sox should be able to find him 400 PAs. And I’m guessing he could also handle left field at Fenway. Plus, he should cost much, maybe 6-8 mil on a one-year deal? Seems like a good fit, and in keeping with their philosophy this offseason.

who is going to be a FA in 2015 that they will be able to spend all this money?

Aren’t they leaving themselves short with several good free agents potentially available after next season? Also, does the money they owe the Dodgers the next 3 years factor into the equation for the Sox?

Who cares at this point? This Organization is going south in a hurry. Dumb Deals and even more stupidity with these free agent signings … This all started with the horrible trade with L A where we have one of the richest organization in all of sports crying poverty saying we can’t afford to be near the Luxury threshold, PLEASE!! I just hope these clown sell this Organization before they do any more damage… 

Alex, you have Lackey listed at $500 K in 2015. Do we know for certain that his injury clause was triggered by his TJ surgery and his missing the 2012 season? If that is indeed the case, then that has serious luxury tax implications I think you should’ve noted—because isn’t the luxury tax calculated by the AAV of a player’s contract? As such, that would change Lackey’s deal to six years and a total of $83 MM instead of the original five years and $82.5 MM, no? A sixth year being added on at $500 K would reduce the AAV of his deal from $16.5 MM—which is what you have listed here—to $13.8 MM. Wouldn’t that free up an additional $2.7 MM for the Sox in calculating their proximity to the luxury tax threshold?

They have the money sign Ross and Swisher because ELLSBURY will be gone after next season so prepare for the future Swisher would be a nice fit as he ‘s a bat from either side of the plate , play first base or right field or even DH while Ross is a decent outfielder with a good pop in Fenway park , he was voted 10 th player so why wait , it seems like the same crap every year , they say they wanted till Hamilton signed well he did , now get better outfielders too…

That wouldn’t surprise me or maybe J.D. Drew ?

Sounds like you should be the general manager real damage could get done then.

I love the signing of Victorino,Ross and Dempster and if Lackey’s Tommy John surgery works out and thats a big “if” then we just might be okay.I would have liked to see them make an effort to get Youk back but at least they got rid of the biggest poison pill of all though…Bobby it’s not my problem Valentine good riddance.

John Lackey seems to have an eternal contract. How many games has he won for Red Sox? Jose Iglesias needs to be traded. CNBC says John Henry’s eyes bulged when he saw $2 billion Dodger sale so he thinks Red Sox will bring more as Fenway Park, NESN are included which is why contracts are short to clear way for new owners.

They keep spending money on veterans who block the prospects they are hoarding. Go figure.

There are no prospects currently being blocked because NONE ARE READY.  Get that through your thick skull.  Virtually every prospect in the farm system still needs development time, and I’d rather see them at the MLB level when they are closer to finished products.  In the meantime, the Red Sox have assembled a contender capable of making the playoffs.  When the prospects can legitimately produce at a big league level, they will get their chance.

Jose Iglesias needs to be traded?  Stephen Drew signed a 1 yr deal you dolt.  Why do you think that is?  Jose Iglesias will get his real chance next year after he develops this year in AAA.  He is not ready for the big leagues because his bat currently sucks.  He has not much trade value right now either.

It’s going to be laughable when the Sox finish fifth in the division with a payroll of $160MM ++.  Unless this collection of broken-down, has-beens all realize career years the Sox will be just as pathetic this year as they were last year.  Ben, I totally agree with hanging onto the prospects and picks, but just come out and tell the faithful you’re building for 2014.  Don’t insult our intelligence by overpaying for mediocre talent and passing it off as being competitive. 

My money says Cherington is looking for a job this time next year.

Cherington has even more to prove than the Red Sox themselves. He keeps doing the ‘talk’ but not the ‘walk’.  With all kinds of money to spend, he just keeps ‘talking’ about the ‘best’ players that are available until they are gone to some other team, then picks up just average or mediocre type players. He’s been dealt with a loaded gun, but can’t pull the trigger! They’re always ‘talking’ about  next year, waiting for ’prospects’ that all have so much ‘potential’! Are they in the ‘prospecting’ business or the sports entertainment business? Sounds like the Red Sox of old, “Wait Till Next Year”!!!     

My Gawd we have to pay Lackey $16.5 Million in 2014 too?!!! Nice work on that signing guys.

 Ellsbury only makes 8 mil thats not going to by you Ross or Swisher

 I believe he already signed with Texas for 10M

He signed with texas

didn’t these guys bring us 2 championships

True. You can never have enough guys to throw batting practice

 Based on two of the last three years–is he even worth $8M?

 The Sox dumped Beckett, Crawford, Gonzo, Ross, Aviles, Punto and Youk.  And who do we have now for nearly the same payroll? Gomes, Victorino, Drew, Napoli, Dempster, Hanrahan(for a year) and Ross.  I’m not sure this is even a “wash.”

Gibba you are SO shortsighted.  Let’s see how De La Rosa and Webster turn out.  Both very good pitching prospects.  Jerry Sands also brought Hanrahan as a major trade piece…though I wouldn’t have minded keeping him too.  But the biggest thing that trade brought was the very topic under discussion…future trade and FA signing flexibility…while keeping the farm pretty much intact.  This could also pay large dividends in the next couple of years if a few of these young players blossom and take their places on the field at the big league level.   

The team as constituted last year was not working out…for whatever the reasons.  I applaud Ben and his management team for creativity and am very willing and fascinated to see how it plays out.  The finished product is not even complete and you’re whining before they even lace ‘em up.

You overrate Ross (the outfielder).  Nice little player who benefited by playing here.  I might have preferred him too…but I don’t think he’s much better than Gomes…or if he even is. Statisically they’re almost the same guy.  Both can rake…especially somewhere like Fenway.  Both are below average fielders. 

Dear Mascmen7:  Lackey has won 26 games here…in his two seasons he has been able to pitch.  His second was injury shortened and he needed surgery that has taken a year to recover from.  Not his fault.  Who knows…he may have made it worse trying to pitch through pain in that last season in which he played.  I think some of us may have been unfair in evaluating him…including me.  Might as well keep an open mind and see what he’s got.  Not much choice now is there?

Pip:  Who exactly is “blocking” anyone?  They’re simply buying time for these kids…while not losing draft picks in signing veterans.

Shard77:  A safer bet is you will be nowhere to be found (not that anyone will be looking or care) if this team does well.  Here’s a clue…no one cares what you think!  Have a nice life.

 Normdubois:  Gee…here’s an idea…why not wait until THIS year ya dope!

You have to remember…Gibba just started following this team in “04″.

dmm:  You forgot to include Farrell…De La Rosa and Webster…and millions of dollars of payroll for years to come.  Big picture eh?  Don’t be a shortsighted dolt.

Wonder how a pitcher like Lester feels about a stiff like Dumbster making more money then he is
Victorino in making more then Pedy, what a joke. And Lackey who was the ranked the worst starting pitcher in the american league the last time he pitched, and is the highest paid player on the team, how dumb is this front office? i can answer that, dumb enough to finish in last place. and it looks like another last place finish

It wasn’t these guys, it was those two juice heads Manny & Papi

Very good article. Nice Job. Tremendous flexibility in 2015 assuming they dont make any long term trades or signing that carry them into 2015 and beyond. Loads of young talent that we should see in 2015. I think certain teams like the Dodgers, Angels, Toronto, New York, and maybe Detroit will be locked in to some contracts that will really put a stranglehold on there ability to sign anyone of relevance. The Red Sox better hope this young crop will turn out to be good players. If not, you will see the same business practice of over paying for Free agents to long term trades for mediocre results….

This is horribly formatted.

 I believe Berkman has signed with Texas….

it’s on like donkey kong

actually, its on like Gronkey Kong