Red Sox of the Future

I read a very clever, thought-provoking article written by Dave D'Onofrio in the Manchester Union-Leader on Sunday. I'll summarize it. It starts out on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2013. He recounts moves made by the Red Sox over the winter. Bobby Valentine is gone as manager on October 6th. Cody Ross signs a 3-year deal & David Ortiz gets his 2-year deal on October 23rd. Marlins' bench coach Joey Cora becomes Ben Cherington's choice as the Sox new manager on November 4th. Rumors are that Toronto wanted too much to part with John Farrell. The Sox go after Josh Hamilton, but he resigns with the Rangers on November 18th. On November 25th the Sox pull a major trade by acquiring shortstop Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Jose Iglesias, Ryan Kalish & pitching prospect Matt Barmes. Tulow is 28 & coming off an injury plagued 2012, but the Sox take on major salary for several years. Cherington says top prospect Xander Boegarts will be given a first-base glove in spring training. On December 4th Cherington says the Sox will allow Jacoby Ellsbury to play out his final year under contract. On December 15th Mark Melancon is traded to an NL team. Alfedo Aceves is not resigned for 2013. Bullpen is projected to be Bard, Tazawa, Atchison, Miller Breslow & Bailey as the closer with one spot up for grabs. On January 4th the Sox sign free agent starting pitcher Gavin Floyd to a 1-year deal as Floyd hopes to bounce back from a disappointing 2012. Floyd joins Franklin Morales & Rubby de la Rosa as candidates for the 5th rotation spot behind Buchholz, Lester, Doubront & Lackey. On January 15th the Sox resign James Loney & Scott Podsednik after both test the free agent market for months. Loney will platoon with Mauro Gomez at first base. Podsednik will platoon in left until Bryce Brentz or Jackie Bradley, Jr. come up to the big team. The projected lineup for 2013 becomes Ellsbury CF, Pedroia 2B, Tulowitzki SS, Ortiz DH, Ross RF, Middlebrooks 3B, Gomez/Loney 1B, Saltie/Lavarnway C, Sweeney/Nava LF. I thought that was a pretty interesting article.