With spring training approaching, lets try and make sense out of Theo's off-season moves...

Many fans may not be too impressed with Theo Epstein’s moves this offseason, but be assured there is a method to his madness.

Let’s start with the infield. The Marco Scutaro signing does not seem like it is a big signing, but let’s face it it’s not supposed to be. Scutaro was signed at the bargain price of $5-million a year through 2011 with a mutual option worth $6-million if the Sox exercise it and $3-million if Scuatro exercises it. Any Red Sox fan with a brain knows that Scutaro is just being used as a bridge to Cuban defector Jose Iglesias. There is no doubt in my mind that the Red Sox will not exercise Scutaro’s option for 2012. If Iglesias is not ready by then the Sox will use Jed Lowrie, if still with the team, or sign another A-Gonzo type to fill the void until Iglesias is ready to step in. The Beltre signing is another signing that makes complete sense. Beltre is another guy they got at a bargain price of $9-million for one year with a $5-million dollar option for 2011. Beltre has been described by Joe Maddon (Tampa Bay Rays manager) as the best defensive 3^rd baseman he has ever seen. This alone makes him an upgrade over the very immobile Mike Lowell. In a perfect world Beltre would only be a Red Sox for a season with the Red Sox bringing in Adrian Gonzalez in July or the off-season. Another possibility could be if top prospect Lars Anderson shows promise he could step in at first-base in 2011 and have Youkilis shift to third-base. Essentially both infield signings are being used as bridges to other players.

The Mike Cameron signing is another transitional move. Many fans are upset at the fact that the team didn’t make a serious run at Jason Bay. Ultimately not making a run at Bay makes complete sense is certain things pan out. Cameron was signed to a two year $15.5-million contract which isn’t exactly bargain pricing but it also isn’t a lot. Cameron will be the Sox centerfielder for two years while the Sox top outfield prospects develop. Both Cameron and JD Drew’s contracts will be up at the end of 2011. By 2011 Theo Epstein hopes that both Josh Reddick and Ryan Kalish will be ready to step in as full time outfielders. That leaves an outfield with Reddick, Ellsbury, and Kalish in 2011. By this time the Red Sox No. 1 prospect in some people’s minds, Ryan Westmoreland, may also be ready which would then make Jacoby Ellsbury expendable for trade if need be. With a minor league system full of top outfield prospects Theo could not justify signing an aging Bay to a five or six year deal.

The only deal I can’t really make sense of is the John Lackey deal. Why sign this man to a five year deal worth $85-million when he isn’t even an ace type pitcher. The Red Sox were reluctant to offer Johan Santana or C.C. Sabathia a long term deal so why give it to John Lackey? Odds are Lackey will not be effective throughout this entire contract and the money committed to Lackey is money that can’t be committed to Josh Beckett who is  a younger and a better pitcher in my opinion. Maybe signing Lackey will pan out but I just don’t see it as a good deal for the Red Sox and it is out of character for Theo to commit this kind of money to an aging pitcher.

Essentially what Theo Epstein has done this off-season is put together a team, barring any injuries, that has an opportunity to win the World Series without tying up too much money in free agents or blocking spots for up and coming developing super stars in the minor league system.

-Willy