Red Sox Rumors: Boston Must Get Creative to Plug Holes

The 2011-12 offseason has been far different for several of the league’s perennial big spenders.  The Boston Red Sox have taken the path of their rivals, the New York Yankees, keeping their purse strings tied tight.  Rather than throwing money at their roster needs, Boston has made cost-efficient deals to fill their holes.  Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox will have to keep up this creative streak as they prepare for the 2012 season.

Abraham notes that in all but one of his eight years as the Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein spent at least $15 million on free agents from outside the organization.  Newly crowned GM Ben Cherington and the current Red Sox regime is working with much more limited purchasing power, in large part due to Epstein’s free spending ways.

The Red Sox currently sit on the edge of the luxury tax threshold ($178 million) and are unlikely to push much over it in 2012.  Adding in all of the arbitration eligible players remaining on Boston’s 40-man roster, the Red Sox have a projected payroll of $176 million.

Since this would mark the third consecutive season in which the Red Sox would exceed the luxury limit, Abraham says they would be “taxed at a rate of 40 percent on any amount over $178 million”.

This figures to significantly impact the Red Sox thought process when it comes to signing free agents this winter.  Whereas FA starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda is expected to command a one-year deal worth $10 million, this contract would end up costing the Red Sox $14 million after the tax penalty is added.

Abraham believes this takes the Red Sox out of the running for free agent starters Kuroda, Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson, at least until something drastically changes regarding their markets.

While the more established free agent options could be off limits, Abraham says the Red Sox could turn to second-tier FA starters or pitchers coming off of injury.

Beyond the free agent market, Abraham says the Red Sox could look to acquire a starter through trade.  The largest name currently tied to Boston is Cubs right-hander Matt Garza.

Cherington has said that the top of his rotation and Boston’s additional pitching depth should allow him to proceed this winter without feeling pressure to make a big move.  However, Cherington said the same thing regarding his bullpen before swinging a deal that netted the Red Sox young closer Andrew Bailey.

Abraham hears that the Red Sox are willing to be patient, and may be willing to wait and see if a free agent starter falls into their lap this winter.  Whatever the case, Abraham notes that, while “there are always upgrades available”, it remains to be seen “how creative the Red Sox can be in finding them”.

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