Sox keep Lester and Ellsbury. Ultimately, with Johan not going to the Yanks I really think this is the best scenerio for the Sox. Had the Yanks been seriously in the fight for Santana I would have been willing to give up Lester or Ellsbury to get him, but if its true that the Yanks were never in the bidding at the end, I would have been a little upset to mortgage the future and give away one of two incredible prospects when our competition is staying the same all the while.
Now....the million dollar question remains. Its all but inked on the lineup card that Jacoby is our centerfielder, so what happens with Coco. He makes WAY too much to be a fourth outfielder or platoon with Drew and Manny...and to be honest, I really like the kid and think he deserves a change to go start somewhere else. I wonder what the Sox are thinking in regards to Coco and who we go after in a trade for him. I would have to think the Sox are thinking maybe some prospects since we really don't need any major league talent, but will need to fill some holes at 3B and maybe even SS in the near future. Also, with this being Manny's last year under contract (yes there are options on the table, but I never consider them when planning ahead, especially when it comes to Manny) we really are going to need a power bat that we can develop. Pitching looks very good with youth throughout the system...which makes me even happier that Lester is still with the ball club, he and Bucholz are goint to be very important pieces of the rotation, especially when Schill is gone after the season.
I hope Coco is dealt before spring training, which isn't that far off, I am sure Theo has been keeping the lines of communication open with other GMs in need of a solid defensive outfielder and who knows a trade with the Twins could be in the future, just not the one that everyone had been talking about.
I can't wait for this season to start!
