Back by popular demand...

Ok, so it's been over a year since my last post. Been a bit busy but since I have a minute, here's something to get you thinking. This one's for you, Auntie.

How to fix the Red Sox from now until the start of the 2011 season.

Today, Jonathan Papelbon blew his 6th save of the season and suffered his 5th loss. Both are career highs. I think we can say with 95% confidence that he's not what he was. That being said, he can no longer be the closer for the Red Sox. They missed out on their chance to trade him for a hitter this season and they will most likely lose him to free agency. This loss stings particularly badly because of a) how well John Lackey pitched and b) Papelbon entered the game with a 2 run lead and it seemed like the Sox would pick up a half game on the idle Rays. Not so.

What do we do with Papelbon?

Make him the 8th inning specialist and, since he's unofficially the closer of the future, turn the reins over to Daniel Bard in the 9th. Every series is a playoff series for this team from here on out. If they are going to make a run at a playoff spot like they always do, that needs to be the mentality. There is no excuse for these kinds of losses any more.

But it doesn't stop there.

JD Drew has been absolutely useless against left-handed pitching this season with an average somewhere near .170 (I don't remember the exact number). Why does he play against lefties ever? I'd rather see Ryan Kalish out there fighting for a roster spot next season than Nancy Drew strike out with the prettiest swing on a pitch low and outside that you'll ever see. Memo to Tito: Don't play Drew against lefties.

The next thing I'll say, get well soon Pedey (should be back on Tuesday) and Youk (who's done for the season). This team can't get it done without at least one of them.

Do I think the Sox make the playoffs? Probably not but it'll be another wild ride and fans will still go to Fenway and watch them on tv for the next two months.

Now for the offseason.

After Papelbon, Bill Hall, Adrian Beltre and Darnell McDonald leave via free agency and Mike Lowell retires, there are plenty of moves to make. The first is to sign David Ortiz to a 2-year deal with a team option for a third year. He was an All-Star designated hitter this year and even though his average has taken a nosedive hitting into that shift every game, he's still good for 25+ homers and 80-100 rbi's a season. Not to mention everyone loves him. Next up, Adrian Gonzalez. The power-hitting first baseman from San Diego. This team needs another big bat in the lineup to complement Youk, Pedey, Papi and VMart. There is no legitimate power threat that strikes fear into the hearts of opponents in this 2010 Red Sox lineup. Theo and Co. need to sign this guy for 6 years and big money and it should make up for the Mark Teixeira blunder. The final move to improve the offense is to re-sign Victor Martinez to a big deal. Perhaps 4 years since he's 32 and can play catcher, first and DH. Whatever it takes, keep him here. There is no way this team can survive with Dusty Brown/Kevin Cash and Saltalamacchia as the catching platoon next year (assuming that Jason Varitek retires and becomes a coach for the Red Sox).

Finally, shore up the bullpen. Keep Felix Dubrount up with the big boys next season. Use him in the 7th or 8th. Bard is your new closer. Keep a short leash on Hideki Okajima and if he doesn't become a reliable reliever, trade him or designate him for assignment. Keep Wakefield in the pen. Go aggressively after the following free agent relievers:

Brian Fuentes
Rafael Soriano
Aaron Heilman
Will Ohman
Scott Downs

Personally, I'd want Fuentes, Soriano and Downs in that order. Both Fuentes and Soriano can close (instead of Bard) and Downs is the lefty that the Sox coveted at the trade deadline but Toronto set the price too steep for the Sox. If half of what I've proposed happens, I'd be ok with it. For now, we'll see where the season takes this team.