With 6 days until pitchers and catchers report, the Red Sox have all the pieces of the puzzle together and are predominately ready for opening day, and even after a relatively quiet offseason, they actually have a chance in the AL East, despite the Yankees budget.
After the Yankees signed Mark Teixeria, [who the Sox were expected to sign in order to keep pace with the Yankees] it looked to be over for the Sox against their hated rivals. However, as the Yankees seek to sign the big name, the Sox have been lucrative, signing who they need but trimming the fat, and have not only made cheaper trades but better trades.
Simply put, the Yankees have learned nothing since they last won a championship, and are getting ahead of themselves by simply throwing money at their problems. Although their recent signings worry many Red Sox fans, their advantage is not much greater as they are only repeating what they have always done--and not so successfully.
After signing Alex Rodriguez with an insane amount of money, the Yankees still failed the make the playoffs, and better yet, Rodriguez has failed to keep his numbers up ever since coming to the Yankees. To mend the problem, the Yankees also signed big names, Carl Pavano, Randy Johnson and Bobby Abreu, who also slumped in New York. Yet again, the Yankees are on the war path to the playoffs and hope that [wasting] their budget on big names will get them there.
However, they should not put all their eggs in one basket. Players slump and adjust, no matter how much you pay them. The Red Sox however, move their money around, made some long term deals and short stints to test the waters, and despite not making headline news, have an equal chance to make a push for the playoffs. Only time will tell which team trades will pay off, however, if the last nine years are any indication, the Yankees still have their work cut out for them--despite how deep their pockets are.
Rani Smith
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