If you thought Boston was creating some havoc on the free agent market, take a look at Chicago.

The Cubs have re-signed their powerful third baseman Aramis Ramirez and have also reportedly signed Alfonzo Soriano to an eight-year deal worth as much as $136 million.

The Soriano signing will undoubtedly have an affect on the rest of the off-season. It leaves Carlos Lee the only other available slugger without a job, unless you consider Bonds. Rumors have Lee heading to Houston, but I'm not sure if they are willing to spend, say, $15 million a year.

With Soriano off to Chicago, that leaves teams like Philadelphia, the Angels and Texas scrambling. Those teams are almost forced to talk trade with the Sox about the best right-handed bat in the game - Manny Ramirez.

Now, Manny's $20-million-a-year contract doesn't look so bad - he's downright attractive in today's market. And why not? 40 HRs and 130 RBIs is a pretty good thing to have on one's resume.

Houston if they do not sign Lee, may offer a package that includes Brad Lidge and Chris Burke. Interesting.

Texas may part with shortstop Michael Young. (I love him but chances are he's staying in Arlington; I guess the outfield would still be pretty good with Coco in left, Wily Mo in center and J.D. Drew in right)

The Angels may add Scott Shields in a package (attractive but not enough).

Philadelphia, well who knows what they'll part with.

And who really cares? With the market the way it is Manny is looking more attractive to the Sox, or at least this Sox fan.

Why would they part with him and leave a gaping hole in the middle of the lineup?

Sure he can act like a child, but the Sox need that bat. And if they can land both Drew and Lugo the lineup would be much improved over last season.

The addition of Matsuzaka shores up the rotation. The only thing lacking is a proven bullpen, but the Sox have some potential.

CF - Coco Crisp
SS - Julio Lugo
DH - David Ortiz
LF - Manny Ramirez
RF - J.D. Drew
3B - Mike Lowell
1B - Kevin Youkilis
C - Jason Varitek
2B - Alex Cora/Dustin Pedroia
OUTFIELD BACK-UP: Wily Mo (seriously have to find a way to get him at-bats)
IF HELP: Eric Hinske (also plays in the OF)

The rotation:
Schilling
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Papelbon
Wakefield

The bullpen
E. Martinez
Alvarez
Delcarmen
Hansen
Tavarez
DiNardo
Timlin

The bullpen doesn't look that bad. Some of these youngsters are sure to feel the pressure, but all should be ready or near ready for the bigs. One glaring hole - closer.

I know that the Sox feel they can get some fairly decent return on Manny with a volatile market, but I'd advocate moving Youkilis. A smaller deal for a little bullpen help or a second baseman on the last year of his contract sounds better to me.

That would mean playing David Ortiz at first. But before y'all go crazy about his defense, it's not terrible. Besides there is still flexibility on this club, allowing the Sox to "rest" Ortiz in the DH hole and place Hinske at first without missing a beat.

That would mean your everyday DH is none other than Wily Mo Pena.
Pena would no longer be a defensive liability. He'd provide ample protection to some of the other bats. The Sox would see some return on the Bronson Arroyo trade, shutting up some critics.

My lineup:
CF - Crisp (sure to improve after injured season)
SS - Lugo (providing some offense from the SS position)
1B - Ortiz (playing first base will finally give him the MVP)
LF - Ramirez (Awo years of whining in exchange for winning)
RF - Drew (provides decent protection for Ramirez and good 'D.')
DH - Wily Mo (more at-bats=more home runs=wins)
3B - Lowell (great defense and lots of doubles, again)
C -Varitek (a healthy captain will make for a healthy team)
2B - Cora/Pedroia (Cora here to teach Dustin for two more years)

What's wrong with that?

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