by Elise Amendola - AP

Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, right, and manager Terry Francona are concerned with much more than just the matters related to 2010's team.

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The Red Sox, beleaguered by talks of a 'bridge period' earlier this off season, caught fans slightly by surprise with their recent flurry of activity within the MLB's Hot Stove Market. Marco Scutaro's arrival in Boston may not have warranted much commotion given the nature of his contract (the length in particular), but the lucrative 5-year deal awarded to pitcher John Lackey has some questioning the exact direction that general manager Theo Epstein is taking the club and the future of pitcher Josh Beckett in particular.

After a very quiet beginning to the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox designated nearly $25 million for next season's payroll with the additions of Mike Cameron and John Lackey alone, moves that will certainly effect those that subsequently follow -- both this season as well as the next.

What does this mean for the likes of Josh Beckett and Victor Martinez, both with expiring contracts, especially considering the addition of Lackey and the potential free-agency of catcher Joe Mauer? With over $50 million in expiring contracts coming off the books following this season, how will management approach the free-agent class of 2010, considered by many to be one of the deepest of its kind in relation to available impact players? If this season is still considered a bridge to the future, then what can fans expect to see from the front office at this time next year?

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by Michael Dwyer - AP

Jonathan Papelbon, who thanks to OTM's memorable moment #8, is the Boston Red Sox's all-time saves leader.

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OTM COVERAGE: Randy Booth's recap of the Red Sox's memorable moment #8 of 2009

GAME RECAP: 07/01/2009 - Baltimore Orioles 5 Boston Red Sox 6 (11 innings)

Less than 24 hours after the Baltimore Orioles had completed the greatest comeback in the history of their franchise at the hands of the Red Sox, coming from 10 runs behind using just their final six outs, Boston got themselves a little redemption in a similar fashion.

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Mike Lowell celebrating his game winning 3-run home run against the New York Yankees 04/25/09.

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OTM COVERAGE: 0157H7's postgame recap of the Red Sox's memorable moment #9 of 2009
GAME RECAP: 4/25/09: New York Yankees 11 Boston Red Sox 16

What list of this nature would be complete without a good old fashioned Yankees vs. Red Sox matchup? And how can it get any better than a game featuring 27 total runs scored, a six-RBI night from the recently departed Mike Lowell, five lead changes (the last of course being the best), and a battering of newly acquired Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett?

Yes this game had it all, ultimately resulting in what was Boston's ninth straight win at the time -- second straight over the struggling Yankees (Boston would go on to sweep New York in the 3-game set at Fenway).

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More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

Is Adrian Gonzalez, pictured here, the next big name acquisition to be announced by the Boston Red Sox following the recent signing of free agent pitcher John Lackey?

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In what can surely be considered an understatement; the Red Sox's recent off-season activity has the Major League Baseball community buzzing, namely the population that makes up 'Red Sox Nation.'

On Monday, following reports that discussions surrounding re-signing Jason Bay had soured, the Red Sox proceeded to sign the top available starting pitcher via free agency, John Lackey, to a 5-year deal. The arrival of the former Angels' ace in Boston has been dissected in a bevy of ways since news broke earlier today by nearly every media outlet, each offering their own unique opinion on the situation. Some suggest that Lackey represents a reallocation of the funds originally intended for Bay. However, I don't believe that there is enough emphasis being placed on the big picture as a result of the acquisition, and the subsequent sequence of events that may potentially follow.

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Boof Bonser - Acquired by the Boston Red Sox (12/10/09)

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The Red Sox began Thursday by acquiring pitcher Boof Bonser from the Minnesota Twins in return for cash and a player to be named later.

According to wbztv.com:

The 28-year-old Bonser was on the way out in Minnesota, designated for assignment earlier this week after pitcher Carl Pavano agreed to go to arbitration with the team.
 

Not exactly a Halladay-esque acquisition, and it certainly doesn't figure to ignite the baseball world's interest, but a noteworthy trade nonetheless.

Bonser was 18-25 with a 5.12 ERA during his time with the Twins, but missed all of last season due to surgery on his pitching shoulder.

Hopefully this isn't the last news reported on this front today.

You are Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

You have recently completed a trade, pending approval from commissioner Bud Selig, that sends veteran third baseman Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers in return for catching prospect Max Ramirez. You now find yourself with yet another void to fill, this time at the "hot corner." Your arch-rivals, the New York Yankees, have just acquired the multi-talented center fielder Curtis Granderson and are linked in discussions for one of the most talented pitchers in all of baseball, Roy Halladay. Fans are growing impatient with every deal made at the winter meetings that doesn't involve you, and opportunities to patch your teams weaknesses are growing slim. What do you do?

• Sign Adrian Beltre as Mike Lowell's successor (go to bullet point A)
• Package some of your prospects and pry Adrian Gonzalez away from San Diego (go to bullet point B)
• Package a few prospects and steal Miguel Cabrera away from Detroit (go to bullet point C)
• Sit idly by and hope that everything works out on its own (go to bullet point D)

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More photos » by Steven Senne - AP

15 days ago: Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein faces reporters during a news conference held to introduce newly-signed Red Sox shortstop Marco Scutaro at Fenway Park, in Boston, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. After cycling through seven shortstops since the middle of the 2004 season, the Red Sox announced on Friday that they have given Scutaro a two-year deal with a club option for 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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The Boston Red Sox, according to general manager Theo Epstein, find themselves in a "bridge period."

Does this mean that Boston is taking themselves out of the running for any blockbuster type acquisition? Not necessarily. However, don't expect to see someone such as Clay Buchholz suiting up for any other team in 2010 as a result of a major trade.

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More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

2 months ago: Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick steals second as Boston Red Sox's second baseman Dustin Pedroia looks to the umpire in the seventh inning in Game 2 of the American League division baseball series Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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There has been an enormous amount of speculation surrounding the Red Sox's plans on how to best address the void at the shortstop position in recent days, a void  that has been plaguing them since the dramatic downfall of the once iconic Red Sox, Nomar Garciaparra.

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More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

7 months ago: Boston Red Sox pitcher Javier Lopez watches the Cleveland Indians celebrate after the Indians won 9-8 in the ninth inning on an error by Lopez in a baseball game, Tuesday, April 28, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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The offense continued its assault on American League pitching, but it wasn't enough on Tuesday night to overcome the defense's blunders as the Red Sox fell to the Indians 9-8. Brad Penny gave up 7 runs in his 2.2 innings of work, however only 4 were earned. Errors by Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo (what was that?!) allowed Cleveland to stay in a game that they had no business being in, which ultimately proved costly in the end.

The offense, which averaged almost 8 runs a game over the course of their 11 game winning streak, again banged out an impressive amount of hits and runs with 8 and 14 respectively. Pedroia had three hits pushing his average up to .309, and Julio Lugo was back in a big way with 2 hits including the clutch go ahead RBI single in the 7th.

What a game for the bullpen yet again. Equally impressive as the offense's numbers over the course of this winning streak has been the pen's contributions. The final line for Jones, Okajima, Saito, Ramirez and Lopez: 6IP, 1ER, 5K. Jones was the most impressive coming in for a struggling Penny and eating up 2 1/3 allowing only 1 hit and striking out a pair of Indians.

With the Sox up 8-7 following Lugo's RBI single in the 7th, Saito entered the game and left a fastball over the plate that Mark DeRosa didn't miss. DeRosa, who has hurt the Sox so far in this series, sent the ball well over the left field wall.

Despite receiving multiple late inning leadoff walks as gifts from Cleveland pitchers, the Red Sox entered the bottom frame in the 9th in an eight all tie. DeRosa (who else?) led off the ninth with his fourth hit of the night and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Francisco. Lopez would get a HUGE strikeout on Grady Sizemore, but that's where the luck would end. Asdrubal Carbera walked to the plate with two outs and hit a ground ball to Youkilis who made a great play, made the flip to first and sent the game into extra innings only to have it dropped by Lopez (who was charged with the error). DeRosa came around scoring the winning run and ending the Sox impressive 11 game winning streak.

Make no mistake, this is not a game that the Red Sox should have lost. Although their offense put up enough runs to win on any other night, they also stranded 11 runners and missed numerous opportunities for big innings, especially late in the game.

No time for crying over spilled milk (or baseballs in Lopez's case). Big Jon Lester on the hill tomorrow against Fausto Carmona, time to start a new streak heading into the big showdown against those pesky Rays.

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

8 months ago: Cleveland Indians Grady Sizemore, right, is congratulated by teammates Ben Francisco, left, Trevor Crowe (26) and Kelly Shoppach after hitting a grand slam against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning of the Yankees home-opening baseball game on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at Yankee Stadium in New York. It was the first regular season game at the new stadium. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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Heading into the series against Boston the Tribe are 7-12, good enough for dead last in the division, albeit they are only 3.5 games back. Cleveland finished last season right at the .500 mark and right in the middle of the AL Central. After trading away C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers mid-season, the Indians failed to ride the left arm of eventual Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee into the post-season. Despite another solid season from stud outfielder Grady Sizemore (33 HR/90 RBI/38 SB), the offense struggled overall. Aside from Lee, no other Indians hurler managed double digit wins.

C.C. is gone leaving the Indians with a lot of questions regarding their starting rotation. Cliff Lee was great last year, but is off to a rough start thus far in 2009. Pitching is what is hurting this team right now, and that's not good news for Cleveland given how hot the Sox's bats are. One pitcher that is not hurting this Indians club so far is Aaron Laffey. Laffey, through 3 starts, is 2-0 with a 2.41 ERA. If he can control his walks (10 in less than 19 IP), he could be a solid contributor to this staff in 2009.

From an offensive standpoint the Indians are looking much better than last year's version of the club. Cleveland's 102 runs scored are good for 7th in the MLB (Boston is 4th with 109). How are they doing it? Power is definitley one of the factors as they are 4th in the league with 25 through 19 games (Boston is 5th with 24). Victor Martinez looks to be a force again (.397 with 5 long balls) and of course Grady Sizemore continues to abuse pitchers with his combination of speed and power. Sizemore has 6 HR and 18 RBI already to go along with 3 base thefts.

STRENGTHS

Versatility on offense. This team can hurt you with power as I stated earlier, but they also have that element of speed that keeps them from becoming too one-dimensional or predictable. They are 4th and 12th in the MLB in home runs and stolen bases through 19 games respectively.

WEAKNESSES

Pitching, pitching and pitching. Only two teams have a worse ERA than Cleveland's 5.98 (one of those two teams is the Yankees...just had to include that). The Indians staff has walked 82 batters to this point, tied with Milwaukee for highest in the league. They've also given up the fourth most HRs in the entire league.

INDIANS' KEYS TO SUCCESS IN 2009

This ball club needs to get better starting pitching. Laffey has been great, but Lee needs to return to his Cy Young Award winning form if they want to have any chance to compete in a division that is relatively deep and even. The bats are fine, but as we've seen time in and time out, pitching wins ball games. A 5.98 ERA is not going to get that done.

HOW THE SOX CAN BEAT THEM

As you can probably predict after reading the above, the Sox just need to abuse the starting pitchers early and take advantage of this struggling staff. The bats are hot in Boston, and that should continue against Cleveland. There's no reason to think otherwise. Cleveland will feature a rotation of Lee, Reyes and Carmona. Lee is 2-4 with a 5.13 ERA against Boston in his career and he was touched for 5 runs in 7 innings in his start last year against the Sox. Carmona has faired equally poorly against the Red Sox in his career going 1-4 with 2 blown saves during his time out of the 'pen. Reyes has yet to face Boston. If Boston can cool off Martinez and keep Sizemore off the base paths there's no reason to expect this 11 game winning streak to be halted any time soon.