The Red Sox are on the verge of winning their 2nd World Series of the Theo Epstein era. Whereas in 2004 Epstein got a lot of credit for bringing Curt Schilling to the Red Sox and helping them win their first championship in 86 years, many of this past offseason's free agent signings were considered busts. This past offseason Epstein was trying to rebuild a team that had missed the playoffs in 2006. SS Alex Gonzalez was allowed to sign a Free Agent contract with the Reds and replaced by Julio Lugo and his 4 year, 36 million dollar contract. Lugo rewarded the Red Sox generosity by batting .234. JD Drew was signed after a shoulder injury was discovered to replace Trot Nixon for 5 years, 70 million. Drew managed to play 140 games this season but posted some of the lowest stats of his career including 11 homeruns. While many fans want to label Japanese import Dice K's 6 years 52 million + 51.1 million posting fee as a major waste of funds, I would say that the expectations were just too much for anyone to meet. Dice K won 15 games, struck out over 200 batters and pitched over 200 innings, those are pretty good numbers. In Josh Beckett's first year in Boston he won 16 games, struck out 158 batters in a little over 200 innings, so Dice K is on par with Beckett. I also realize that the Red Sox see the 103.1 million dollar investment in Dice K more as a international marketing and branding initiative then a move geared toward statistical returns on the field. So Despite 2 major free agent deals gone bad, and the Eric Gagne trade blowing up in their face, the Red Sox posted the best record in baseball. All GM's should be so lucky. As the holidays approach Theo should be buying some nice gifts for the likes of: Josh Beckett who finally harnessed his potential and had a Cy Young worthy season, free agent to be Mike Lowell who led the team in RBI's in a season where David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez battled injuries and under performed, Hideki Okajima who made the All-Star team as a dominant setup guy, and possibly the two most indispensable parts of this Red Sox machine, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury who both energized this veteran team down the stretch as the Sox struggled to hold their lead in the American League East. And don't even get me started on the trade of Wily Mo Pena who hit more homeruns after his trade then any player on the Red Sox. So when the Red Sox close out the Rockies, will GM Theo Epstein be rewarded with praise for putting this team together, or will the Red Sox have won in spite of his free agent mistakes?
