Theo Epstein, wunderkind of the Boston Red Sox' front office, has demonstrated his growth and maturity by way of the great deal that he did not make this winter. Johan Santana is going to the New York Mets. This is absolutely the best news a Sox fan could have heard. I love you, Theo; let me count the reasons:
1) The Yankees didn't get one of the two best pitchers in baseball. (We already have Beckett)
2) The Red Sox will have Jacoby Ellsbury in center this season, providing a legit leadoff man and, in all liklihood, letting Dustin Pedroia slide into his natural #2 slot, with Youk dropping to an RBI spot, I'm guessing #6 behind Mikey Lowell.
3) Jon Lester will take the 4 hole in the rotation, and may very well pitch better than #3, Curt Schilling.
4) Jed Lowrie will continue his progression toward ss in 2009.
5) Justin Masterson will continue his progression toward the 2009 rotation.
6) Clay Buchholz will get to start the season at AAA Pawtucket, thus avoiding the horrific glare of the Boston media. But should #3, Schilling, or #5, Tim Wakefield, find themselves unable to defy the calendar, there's another starter waiting in the wings, one who already has a ML no-hitter to his credit.
7) Wang will be the Yankees' #1. And they will have to count on Mussina and the baby brigade.
8) The National League will have to deal with Santana all summer, and the Sox won't face him at all, while the Yankees have two series against the Mets.
Our prospects are all wearing red this year. The Yankees didn't get any better. Santana's out of the American League. Nice work, young Epstein!
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