I'll admit around this time of year, I become a very sensitive guy. The Ghosts of Christmas past and future haunt. Certain stories are hitting harder than others these days.

So, with great interest, I read about David Ortiz generously helping those in need in his native Dominican Republic.

This is not the first, nor will it be the last, time we'll hear about Ortiz helping children in some form. He has been a standup guy in Boston and his ability to aid charities is far reaching. I was touched.

Not so much by his generosity, instead by his humanity. Here is a guy with a heart, no pun intended. And he's not afraid to show his feelings in a public forum.

Big Papi has become one of my favorite players. That's saying something. In a sports era when it appears players are all about Me, Me, Me, his winning spirit and undeniable charm shine.

Though he'll probably never enter the Hall of Fame, he has other credentials that make him one of the greats.

Speaking of the The Hall of Fame...

I can't believe that I didn't predict it. It's just too simple.

Make a deal with J.D. Drew for whatever ($14 million-a-year) contingent on a physical. Use that show of good faith in order to get a deal done with Daisuke Matsuzaka and super agent Scott Boras. Then by the grace of, well, team doctors, find a loophole in Drew's physical in order to restructure his contract to make it more, err, edible.

Pure genius.

Drew yet to sign with Boston

Drew is staying with Boston there is little doubt. But now, the Sox have more leverage in negotiations. Look for them to adjust a number of incentive clauses in order to get the most bang for their money (games played, # of ABs). Perfect.

I believe the Sox acted in a premeditated fashion.

When healthy, Drew is incredible. When he's not, well, he's simply warming the bench and probably sulking on it too.

The whole situation has probably soured Drew. But he has little options. No other team is going to pay the $14 million the Sox agreed to, especially since they have tainted his durability in the marketplace.

So the Sox finally got their man. They have been scouting him surprisingly since 1998, when he was a mere 18-years-old.

Now I can't wait for all the media to start using dice-game metaphors: "Dice-K on a roll," "Craps! - Dice-K losses first game," "Hard eight for D-Mat," Boxcar, lucky-seven, hot-shooter, you get the idea.

Oh, it will happen, some much more clever than these.

The deal itself sounds a lot better than I anticipated. $52 million over six years? Perfect.

Now, the Sox will focus their attention on acquiring Mike Gonzalez and perhaps even Roger Clemens.

I had originally planned to post my list which included the signing of Japanese star Daisuke Matsuzaka.

It looks as though, one of my gifts is on his way to Boston. Boston.com reports that notorious superagent Scott Boras, D-Mat (a catchy little nickname, which beats the heck out of Dice-K), Theo and Larry Luccino were headed east.

The site also reports that a news conference is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. to officially announce the signing of Julio Lugo. I suspect the subject of D-Mat is sure to come up - if only to officially say that he has arrived to Boston.

Stay tuned.

It looks as though trading Manny is even more unlikely today. Afterall the Sox had a self-imposed Wednesday deadline.

However, I would not be too surprised if the L.A. Dodgers made one last bid. The Dodogers probably could have gotten a deal done earlier if they would just send Boston Jonathan Broxton.

Now, after signing Jason Schmidt to a deal, it looks as though the Dodgers may be willing to package a deal that would include Brad Penny and Matt Kemp.

But realistically this simply won't do. Though it may be interesting to reunite Penny with Beckett, Penny's numbers faltered after a hot start to the 2006 season. His ERA ballooned to 4.33 in cavernous Chavez Ravine. He did however strikeout 149 batters, but how he would fare in Boston?

Matt Kemp showed some early promise also belting seven home runs and 21 RBIs before May 28. However, after a 1-for-15 slump, was sent down and was only called up in September getting little playing time.

Is this enough for Manny? Not on your life. So forget it.

If indeed the Dodgers, or anyone else for that matter, are serious about Manny they must give Boston a closer.

Instead let's get a little creative.

A glaring hole needs to be repaired and Houston's Brad Lidge is looking better and better. It might not take too much to acquire him either.

Why not turn Wily Mo Pena into a firstbaseman and trade Youkilis for Lidge? Youkilis could play third base, allowing the Astros to trade Ensberg, who Houston's manager seems to dislike anyway.

With the addition of Carlos Lee, the Astros don't really need power at the third base position.

Youkilis would be a fine addition to the Astros and Lidge would certainly fill a need. Yes, it's risky, but so is Drew, so is Papelbon.

Can Pena play first? Well, he's still young and learning a new position would undoubtedly be good for him and Boston's club. Besides, if he were to fail, the Sox still have Eric Hinske to fall back on.

Rest assured the Sox are not done. I just hope for all our sakes they look at every option available instead of being forced into a $5 million dollar deal with Eric Gagne.

...No more laughing, no more fun? Actually the opposite could be said I'm afraid.

The owners are once again lining the pockets of some pretty marginal players. Some of these players, especially pitchers, are laughing all the way to the bank.

Now, not to say that Drew is a marginal player, but the $70 million over five years is certainly an indication of a changed market.

$14 million a year for a guy who could be a bigger head case than say Manny. At least you know what you are going to get and not get from Manny - a slugger who plays sluggishly.

$14 million is more than Johnny Damon earned last year with the Yankees.

Does J.D. Drew, who has not had more the 450 at-bats more than twice in his career, be worth as much as Damon?

Damon out scored, out hit and out homered Drew in 2006. Granted the lineup and ballparks are different, but Damon was a catalyst at the top of the order - something the Sox have lacked since his departure. Drew is not here to fill that hole.

$14 million is more than David Ortiz made last year too and likely more than he'll make this year. So why then would the Sox be offering so much?

Could this be a way to make Scott Boras (Drew's agent) happy; happy enough to get a better deal for Matsuzaka (also a client of Boras)?

$14 million makes Manny's $19 million seem pretty cheap.

But all eyes are on Manny. Everyone wants him (Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, Padres...) but no one is willing to put up so much. We've seen this before - The Sox appear to try but in the end couldn't get a deal done. So why bother?

Instead the Sox should exercise Manny's option years now. Keep him for the next four years and reap the benefits.

Then and only then can the organization focus on its true needs - a second baseman, shortstop and closer.