Less than a year ago the Boston Red Sox accomplished the seemingly unthinkable by winning the 2004 World Series. 86 years of pain, anguish, and missed opportunities were erased with the simple phrase ?World Champions?. Now, only 6 months later Red Sox Nation is once again in an uproar, begging for Theo and Company to stir up the pot for another run at the title. Funny how greedy you can become after sampling the sweet taste of victory. (See New York Yankees farm system) Last season Theo traded away a Boston sports idol in Nomar Garciaparra and in the process turned his team from an error prone offensive juggernaut into the complete package. Luckily for Epstein, the eventual reward outweighed his initial risk and carved his image into Boston sports immortality alongside names like Bird, Williams, and Orr. With less than 2 weeks remaining before the MLB trade deadline it is once again up to the Red Sox brain trust to work their magic and turn the 2005 Red Sox into a team, not just a bunch of individual players with loads of talent. With this philosophy in mind let?s take a minute to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the 2005 Red Sox. Once again Boston can score runs, thanks in part to the most feared duo (Ortiz-Ramirez) since Ruth and Gehrig. Along with Manny, the outfield seems set until season?s end with Nixon and Damon patrolling center and right. Behind the plate also seems safe with Varitek and veteran back-up Mirabelli handling the duties. The infield is a little more disheveled, with the only certainty being free agent stud Edgar Renteria. Question marks are abound through the other three positions and need to be answered prior to a run at back-to-back titles. The pitching staff has also been a carousel of sorts, especially in the bull-pen. Realistically there are as many as six openings on the staff that could be addressed soon. Here is what the Sox need to do in order to repeat: 1.) Trade Bill Mueller and prospect(s) to Minnesota for LHP J.C. Romero- There is no doubt in my mind that Mueller was and is a great baseball player who gives it his all day in and day out. The only issue right now is his health and potential return value. Mueller isn?t getting any younger and after the fiasco against the Yankees when he should have played 2nd for a few innings we can see that he is almost destined to finish his career at 3rd, bad knees and all. With Romero you get a young lefty with a lot of promise to help you finish off ball games and replace the soon to be waived/traded Alan Embree. 2.) Bring up Kevin Youkilis to replace Mueller- It?s finally time to give this guy the chance to play everyday. He?s 26 and still hasn?t gotten the opportunity to be the everyday 3rd baseman. Besides being eight years younger than Mueller he has more power and is an on base machine, remember MoneyBall? It?s tough seeing his name floating between AAA and the Sox almost weekly, so what better time than now to plug him in when he still can get a few months at the hot corner before the Sox playoff run. 3.) Call up Kapler once healthy- We all know he made a mistake by going to Japan, he?s the first to admit it. The other thing we all know is that Gabe Kapler was one of the most important parts of the 2004 World Series team. Although he isn?t eligible to come off the DL (lower back strain) until July 30th, it will be worth the wait. His ability to play all three outfield positions, give a much needed right handed bat off the bench and accept his role showed us the team player he truly is. After the Sox granted his wish to play everyday in Japan he quickly came to his senses and remembered how much fun winning was, and being a part of a team. Soon he will be back in playing shape and erase names like Adam Hyzdu from the Sox roster. 4.) Sure up 2nd base situation- Possibly one of the more intriguing dilemmas the Red Sox face is at 2nd base. With the recent additions of Alex Cora and Tony Graffinino to the 25 man roster it seems like the Sox have made their move on this position. With Mark ?The Strikeout King? Bellhorn on the DL until further notice, it seems that Graffinino has gotten the call to plug the hole at second. The Sox have already passed on new Twin Brett Boone and haven?t been heard from in the Alfonso Soriano discussion. It seems that Theo is happy with his quiet additions and will go forth with a combo of Graffinino / Bellhorn at second and Renteria / Cora at short. Once again Epstein is hoping that defense will win championships and will refrain from depleting the farm system for more offensive power. 5.) Who?s on first?- Millar? Olerud? Ortiz? Each of these players possess skills that can help the Red Sox win ballgames; power, defense, and flexibility, but none possess all three. In my opinion the Red Sox solution here lies within these three players. Ortiz is untouchable, and will be the Sox DH for the next 10 years. Olerud is Doug Mientkiewicz, only about 20 years older. Then there is Millar, whom no one seems to understand. Clutch one week, useless the next. A vocal leader, but not always productive at the plate. He has always been a streaky hitter, and since the All-Star break has quietly redeemed himself. The only issue is, he is a wanted commodity and the Sox could pull the trigger on a deal to send him packing. Darryl Ward would be a nice addition from Pittsburg, as would Aubrey Huff from Tampa Bay, or even Jim Thome from Philadelphia. I guess we?ll just have to wait this one out until more information becomes available. 6a.) Solve bull-pen issues- Now, before we go all crazy and trade away prospects like Hanley Ramirez, Kelly Shoppach, or Dustin Pedroria for quick fixes like Eddie Guadardo or Billy Wagner let?s put this into perspective. Alan Embree is on his way out, so we replace him with J.C. Romero as mentioned above. Then, instead of taking a chance with a trade we steal two guys that are already both under contract with us; Keith Foulke and Matt Mantei. Both are currently on the DL and with some luck and wishful thinking both could be back by deadline time. With these three additions and some reshuffling in the pen we could turn out a product similar to this: Bradford, Mantei, Myers, Timlin, Romero, Arroyo/Schilling/Wakefield, Foulke 6b.) Don?t give too much for a young starter- Everyone knows A.J. Burnett is available, but why give Florida so much for a guy that will hit the free agent market at season?s end anyway? Besides, when was the last time Burnett made it through an entire season healthy? Sure, he would be a great addition behind Clement and Miller, another arm in the youth movement of Red Sox pitching, but at what cost? Surely Bronson Arroyo would have to go, along with a few other top prospects in the organization. All that for just another arm? I say wait it out and allow the rotation of Clement, Miller, Wakefield, Wells, and Arroyo to do what they can and pray for Schilling to heal quickly and make an impact on our depleted staff any way he can. On the other hand if a young arm were to become available for the right price, I say pounce on the idea and move Wakefield or Arroyo to the pen. It may seem like a lot to take in, but in the long run it is a simple plan that allows the Red Sox to get younger and more talented without selling the farm. What the Red Sox need to understand is that at this moment they are in a enviable position. They are both reigning World Series Champions as well as somewhat stocked in their minor league system by most people?s standards. What they need to do is not over complicate things and allow their prospects to develop, while still remaining competitive enough to win it all. Obviously it?s not an easy task but that?s why Theo makes the big bucks and still finds the time to jam out with Peter Gammons at their annual Hot Stove Cool Music celebration. If everything goes off without a hitch the Sox will only need to be looking for a possible replacement in center (If Damon doesn?t resign) and 2nd base (Pedroria making his debut?) for 2006, and can make a run at either Burnett or Jarrod Washburn on the free agent market to continue the youth overhaul in the starting rotation. As long as the Sox don?t do anything drastic, (it?s O.K. we can wait a few years for another title), and stay competitive, they will keep themselves from facing the same fate of the New York Yankees (no farm system, must buy talent to win). For now, the Sox are in the driver?s seat and still hold a few cards up their sleeve. For this fan, as long as Theo is at the helm of the S.S. Red Sox, I know winning will remain a top priority. Questions/Comments: email me at [email protected]