Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer, Co-GM’s of the Boston Red Sox, have fans along Yawkey Way wondering why they woke this morning to find that the Grinch(es) had stolen Christmas. By allowing the Yankees to swipe Johnny Damon out from negotiations once controlled by Boston, these GM’s have crippled the team for 2006 leaving fans confused as to the direction this team is taking for the near future.
After dealing prospects for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell and adding, through another trade, a 34 year-old second baseman (Mark Loretta), it seemed that the Red Sox were bolstering their team for immediate impact in 2006. Then management dealt Edgar Renteria to Atlanta for top prospect Andy Marte. Though Renteria never got comfortable in Boston, this move weakens the team for the next few years. Because of the money sent to Atlanta in the deal, the Red Sox are effectively paying Marte $4 million a year as a back-up plan if Mike Lowell further declines. Finally, by remaining firm on their original 4 years for $40 million they allowed the Yankees to hang around in the Johnny Damon bidding long enough to lure him away for an extra $12 million, the Red Sox, barring a holiday miracle, have taken a big stride backwards from contention in 2006.