I have a friend who has to tell someone everyday, "The Boston Red Sox are World Champions!" You see he's still in shock. Aren't we all?

The 2004 season is over and the GMs have met. The hot stove is fired up and fans are already discussing what the 2005 team will look like.

The Red Sox have many question marks. What will the starting rotation look like? Who will be the next backstop? Who will be at short? What will the payroll be?

What the Sox need to do is what I do in the fantasy leagues - go defense, speed up the middle, acquire the best pitchers available and put power at the corners.

The Portland Press Herald reports, Pedro has met with the Empire. Not to worry, I can not see Pedro in pinstripes. He is not the suit type. Besides the Yankees will make him cut his hair. He will not sign with New York. This is all posturing to use in the meetings with the Sox. He seeks three-years, $38 million. He'll get two years, a third year option that will kick-in based on incentive clauses. The $38 million is pretty close to what he deserves. Pedro truly does not want to leave, but pride may become a factor.

There is more than one hole to fill in the rotation however. I fully expect to see Carl Pavano in a Red Sox uniform next year as well. MLB.com reports he will meet with the team. He will get around $8-9 million a year. He's only 28 and has improved dramatically since being traded for Pedro. It would be ironic to see Pedro and Pavano on the same club. It is said that Schilling could tilt the scale in the Sox favor. Wow, what a rotation that would be - Schilling, Pedro, Pavano, Arroyo and Wakefield.

I would also entertain the idea of having Matt Clement. Although he tailed off towards the end of last season with the Cubs, he still managed 18 quality starts out of 30. He also fanned 190 batters in 180 innings, with a WHIP of 1.28. He would be perfectly suited in Fenway after pitching in tiny Wrigley.

There is only one lefty I would consider - Odalis Perez. His whip is quite low (1.14). However, his numbers may be helped by the size of Dodger Stadium, one of the largest parks in the majors. So for lack of a better lefty, I would not even bother. Besides, lefties traditionally do not do so well in Fenway. I know there are exceptions, including Lefty Grove and Bruce Hurst, but overall it isn't worth the headache.

Losing Jason Varitek will be tough. He was a true leader in the clubhouse. He is a switch-hitting catcher (few and far between). And apparently can call a pretty good game, although Pedro and Schilling can make any catcher look good. I love Tek, but when his agent compares him with Ivan Rodriguez, I have to speak up.

I-Rod has 11 Gold Gloves and two MVPs. He is arguably the best catcher of our time. His lifetime numbers are amazing for a catcher especially in this era (250HR, 1000RBI, and a .306 Avg.).

Compare the totals over the last two years:
Hittter....Runs....Hits....2B....HR....RBI...SB...TB
I-Rod....162......328....68....35.....191....17..511
V-Tek...130.......260...61.....43....158....13..454

It may appear close, but let's also add a couple of factors. I-Rod played for two weaker teams and still put up huge numbers, while Tek played on a team that scored more runs than any other over the last two years. It is also no fluke that the teams improve there win totals once I-Rod is added to the roster. Florida improved by 12 games from 2002-2003 and the Tigers had 28 more wins from 2003 to 2004. There are other factors contributing to those totals but I-Rod was a major part of the success. Plus, the Tigers' stadium is larger than Fenway Park.

Let's not forget that I-Rod did not get a five-year deal either. Sorry Tek you are not I-Rod. If Varitek can get that kind of contract than he should by all rights leave for "better" pastures. ESPN's Peter Gammons reports the Angels are interested. Why they are down on the Molina brothers? I have no idea.

The Boston Herald reports the latest Tek news. In the meantime, the Sox have offered Damian Miller a deal. Miller would make a nice fill-in until Kelly Shoppach is ready, but there must be some reason he has played for three teams in three years (Arizona, Cubs and A's). It would probably pretty confusing adding another Miller to the team as well. It's hard enough with Millar and Mueller.

A little while ago the Boston Herald reported that Manny may go on waivers again. Wow. I wonder if the MVP of a World Series has ever been placed on waivers. I doubt it.

How would this effect Manny the second time around? The first time may have been a motivator helping him to 43 HR, 130 rbis. Yes, he makes $20 million, but he's the best right-handed bat in the American League. Well, there is thhat Vlady guy.

I doubt you will see that type of production if he is placed on the wire a second time. Eventually, it's got to hurt.

And what do we do at short? I do not want to see a Barry Larkin type playing at Fenway. If the team decides to go that way it is a mistake. I would consider re-signing Pokey Reese. He has better range. If they do that, I would also look to acquire Troy Glaus put him at third and move Bill Mueller to second, improving both the defense and the offense.

There are rumblings that Carlos Beltran and Nomar Garciaparra could both end up on the Yankees. I've also heard that the Yankees and Rangers have talked about a possible trade Javier Vasquez for Alfonzo Soriano. That would mean Vasquez for A-Rod, essentially.

This would be the Yankees lineup:
Of - Beltran
ss - Jeter
3rd - A-Rod
0f - Gary Sheffield
Of - Matsui
1B - Giambi
2nd - Soriano/Garciaparra
c - Posada
DH - Williams?

That's plain sick.

With these possible moved, it looks as though the Yankees and the Angels are going to make some big mistakes. They again are going to lack pitching although, the Randy Johnson rumors are beginning. We all know the Yankees will pay as much as they can to get the players they want. It should make for an interesting winter. I say let them have 'em as long as we get Pedro and Pavano.

I'm nervous, but have faith that Theo and the gang will do the right thing and put a competitive, championship club on the field this spring.

This would be my dream lineup for 2005:
OF Damon
SS Cabrera
OF Manny
DH Ortiz
3B Glaus
OF Nixon
1B Millar
C Varitek
2B Mueller

Add the rotation of Schilling, Pavano and Pedro, the Sox would be unbeatable!

Reader comments: What would you like to see the Red Sox do in order to repeat as World Champions in 2005?

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