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It is interesting how Epstein is dictating the moves this offseason rather than Steinbrenner and Cashman. I think Schilling will end up in Beantown, Vlad in Baltimore, Pettite somewhere in the Texas borders, and Sheffield in the Bronx. These all seem likely destinations for these folks.
What WILL be interesting is what the BoSox do with Nomar and Manny. I would hate to see Nomar leave, but other great Red Sox have left and the city has moved on and forgiven the Sox; remember Fisk, Clemens, Boggs, Lynn, etc, etc. I just don't see how the Sox will be able to retain Nixon, Varitek, Lowe, Pedro, Ortiz, and Mueller after next season. I read somewhere that the Sox also have to deal with arbitration with some of these folks soon; Ortiz was on the list, if I remember right.
When it comes down to it, though, pitching, defense, and speed win the World Series nowadays. Schilling and Foulke would be a great step in that direction; keeping Manny and Nomar would not. Luis Castillo would be a definite step in the right direction, too, both speed wise and defensively. Question is, would Steinbrenner let him go to Boston. The other question, too, is can the Sox find the money to bring him in and still keep under the luxury tax bullshit.
Just imagine this rotation for next season:
1a. Pedro
1b. Schilling
3. Lowe
4. Wakefield
5. Arroyo
To go with this lineup:
Damon CF
Castillo 2b
Nixon RF
Arod SS
Ortiz DH
Millar 1B
Vartiek C
Mueller 3B
Kapler LF
Granted Manny will be missed, but I don't see much of a loss in this projected lineup from last year, assuming the role players from last season step-up, again.
You gotta love what Epstein is doing for the Red Sox nation: a month after losing a heartbreaker to the Yankees and were already rabidly focused on next year; usually, I'm still depressed and taking swings at my 8 year old cousin who loves Jeter.
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