Theo Is Working On The Red Sox 'Pen

Hello on this frigid Wednesday morning. It's a balmy nine degrees F here but it's that time of year. With a fresh but thin snow cover, the temperatures inch down. Hey, my heat works just fine! Catcher Russell Martin has signed with the NY Yankees. This leaves the DH role solely in Jorge Posada's capable hands. They also signed a fourth rotation pitcher. He would be Mark Prior, who has not thrown a ball since 2006 because of shoulder problems.

The Boston Red Sox and Theo Epstein are narrowing any other of their acquisition dreams to the bullpen. Good decision. Right now two names stand out. Number one is Matt Albers, 28, who wasn't tendered a contract a couple weeks ago by the Baltimore Orioles. He's a ground ball pitcher, a guy you'd want in there with someone on first and looking to turn two. But the big bullpen name right now (although BOTH would be nice) on Theo's radar is 35 year old Brian Fuentes. Boston is not the only team looking and yearning for him. There are several others. In 2009 he led the league in saves with 48 and last year, with the Angels, his ERA was a nifty 3.52 with 23 saves in 27 chances.

We can only hope. The Boston bullpen needs two shots in the arm, to put it bluntly. Other than that, the big four rotation (Lester, Buchholz, Beckett and Lackey) looks right, nowhere near the Phillies but great nevertheless. For December 15th, the club is in great shape, the injured healed and everyone ready to hit spring training. We have the holidays in front of us but after that, let's get ready to get ready!

Have a great Hump Day Wednesday and I'll be back with the latest at the earliest. As always, be well and be careful out there. Thanks.