El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

MOVE WEST YOUNG MAN

McCourt, 50, who believes the Dodgers were a bargain, says he will pay over $200 million in cash in the purchase. He emphasized he wants the Dodgers to win immediately and plans to pay what's necessary to do so. Los Angeles finished with a $113.2 million payroll last year.

"We're going to have a $100 million-plus payroll," he said. "We're going to sign a guy who can hit."

Besides the probable funky financing of the deal, who are the Dodgers going acquire? The obvious target is I-Rod. He and Boras must be doing cartwheels after McCourt’s press conference. I-Rod in Motor City come on. But what about Nomah? Could the mega-deal deal be back on with the Dodgers – A-Rod for Manny, then Nomar for Greg Miller and Miller for Adam Dunn? I am now completely insane.

I thought the MFY could have gotten Beltre from the Dodgers after the sale went down because McCourt would have to eliminate some debt to comply with MLB’s "newly enforced" debt/equity ratio requirement. Darren Deirfort's contract ($24 million) and Beltre for some worthless players and cash would work. Apparently, I am wrong once again and further evidence of my insanity.

"I don't anticipate a trade," Cashman said. "There's nobody available on the trade market."

The MFY did sign Tyler Houston. There is no reason to waste any more key strokes on Houston but one should note that Tyler is one of Larry Bowa's favorite players.

Last September, the Phillies released him after he butted heads with manager Larry Bowa.
When Houston criticized Bowa after his release, the fiery skipper told the Philadelphia Inquirer, "He's a loser . . . I had 15 guys [players] doing backflips when we let him go."

This is the same guy that a Sox reliever ran into in Philly. Here is the story...

We were staying at the same hotel as the Phillies, which was weird. Larry Bowa recognized me at breakfast and thought for some reason I was one of his pitchers. I was sitting by myself, having gotten up early, and reading while I picked at a plate of hotel buffet food. Bowa slapped the Wall Street Journal out of my hand and everyone turned to look at him. He called me a 'preppy c***s***er,' and asked me if I'd been out all night searching for drugs or hookers. I couldn't speak, I was so shocked, and he continued to tear into me. If I threw another strike on an 0-2 count, he said, he'd tear my balls off and shove them up my nose, or...something. I'm not sure. He's so loud it's hard to make out the individual words sometime.
Then he started to sob uncontrollably. I picked up my paper and made my way back to the lobby.

At least I am not as crazy as Bowa. He should be committed and defintely not be managing a MLB club.

FANTASY BASEBALL PICKS

Anyone can pick Barry Bonds, Fat Albert is in the Can, Curt Schilling, but to win your league the key is to find one or two “sleepers” in the mid to late rounds of the draft. "Sleepers" are undervalued players that have a good chance of a breakout season. Sleepers are educated guesses. They are not flat out surprises like Marcus Giles and Mo Light (a.k.a. David Ortiz). Last year, Vernon Wells and Aubrey Huff are prime examples of sleepers.

I play in an AL only league and since most of my upcoming opponents read this site, I am only going to give my top five NL sleepers for 2004. I am doing double the research before this year's draft by crossing checking my revised forecast against Nate Silver’s PECOTA system, checking on injury reports and Winter League action from my contacts all over Latin America and the Islands. About a eighth of the last sentence is true – I slightly revised my offensive metric and I’ll look at Silver’s projection.

The sleepers will be rated as a hold, buy and strong buy like stocks.

HOLD
The pros have already picked Criag Wilson so he is not a sleeper anymore. I actually wrote this before I read ESPN. If I did not have a real job, I would have beaten ESPN to the punch. If Wilson is catcher eligible, he moves up to buy status. Wilson will come close to 100 RBIs next season by default. Other than Kendall, if he is not traded, no one else will be in the lineup as a "power hitter," I use that term very loosely. Let's not forget Orlando Cabrera had 100+ ribbies not so long ago.

BUY
Carl Everett should flourish in Montreal just do not play him against LHP. No media, no fans, no health issues, no scrutiny, he gets to play 22 games in P.R. and will hit behind Vidro and Wilkerson. Da Mad Man should easily put up 275-25-100+ rbi line in the Northern City of Sin.

Brad Wilkerson is also underrated. Frank Robinson told me a couple of years ago that Wilkerson was "a pleasant surprise." He should not be anymore. Wilkerson did not succumb to a sophomore slump in 2003 going 268/380/464. At 26, he should only improve. A line of 280-20-100+ runs should not surprise the remaining 5,000 or so Expos fans.

D'Angelos Jiminez has always been a favorite of mine and he will finally get a chance at a full-time job. He is eating up the Dominican League. Finally healthy and secure, Jiminez will continue to have a strong season with Cincy, 290/365/421 in 2003. He will likely bat leadoff in front of a row of sluggers. Jiminez also plays his home games in a new retro/small park. As a second baseman capable of hitting 300-10-100+ runs plus 10-20 steals, Jiminez could be the pick that wins your league.

STRONG BUY
Adam Dunn! Yes, this is the same Adam Dunn that hit 215 last season. Beside the horrible average, I’ll address that later, Dunn is a tremendous young power and walk hitter. He also hits in a tiny home park and in a lineup that could be outstanding. Dunn will also steal a couple of bases for your squad as well.

Not many disagree with my above assessment of Dunn. The issue folks have with Dunn is the high number of strikeouts which in part leads to a low average. Let’s tackle the strikeouts like Rodney Harrison will do this Sunday. Below is Dunn’s K/PA, K/BB followed by AVG/OBP/SLG.

01 - .26/.51 – 262/371/578
02 - .25/.75 – 249/400/454
03 - .27/.59 – 215/354/465

The only real change in the strikeout stats is the K/BB rate in 2002. Dunn walked more in 2002 resulting in a higher on-base percentage; no surprise. Even with slightly fewer strikeouts, Dunn’s average actually dropped from 2001 to 2002. Strikeouts do affect batting average just not a lot in most cases. Dunn just needs to get lucky and “hit them where they aint” to see his average increase which should happen…

If the Reds lineup stays healthy, the batting order should be Jiminez, Casey, Kearns, Griffey and Dunn. Dunn should be hitting often with men on base increasing his chances of getting a pitch in his “happy zone.” More pitches in Dunn’s wheel house should increase balls hit hard and bring up his average and overall numbers.

With that being said, I don’t expect Dunn to hit 300; 270 tops and more in the 250-260 range. But you still want him! He won’t affect your overall fantasy average too much. Even though I anticipate Dunn’s BB/PA to decrease, he will still walk a ton decreasing his at-bats. The fewer the at-bats means the less of an affect Dunn’s average will have on your overall team figure. If you want, hedge your bets with Juan Pierre or the anti-Dunn who is likely to hit 300 with 600 at-bats. Dunn with 450 at-bats and a 250 average combined with Pierre gives you a nice fantasy average of 280.

"FORGET IT. IT IS TOO COLD."

After reading Ed Cossette, I realized that I haven’t written anything remotely funny in a quite some time. I wanted my blog to comment on Red Sox news with a humorous and analytical/data supporting slant. Over the past couple of months, I have only fulfilled part of the objective.…because I haven’t been in a very good mood of late. I am full blown into my annual winter blues plus other crap with no end until Opening Day. I won’t get into the details, as if all twenty or so daily readers care. Anyway, I will be making an effort to again be humorous. Well, I thought some of my junk was funny.

B'BALLING BOONE 'BOUT TO BE BYE BYE

If Boone is out for the rest of the season, A-Rod goes to the MFY. I am preparing for the worst. I agree with Derek Zumsteg of Baseball Prospectus that Posada is dealt for A-Rod. The MFY sign I-Rod to catch with Jeter moving to third and the MFY win 120 games by August. As the AFKATBSG likes to say “I just threw up in my own mouth.”

IS IT THE FOOD OR...

this new A-Rod rumor I read while eating lunch? I am sick to my stomach just thinking about A-Rod to the MF Yankees. Soriano to Texas for A-Rod makes sense. Hart and Hicks would jump at the chance to save close to $20 million his year. It would move Kerry Wood from the wish list to the 2004 winter shopping list. Boone would likely move to second and Jeter to third with A-Rod at SS. The PR spin would be: Jeter displays true leadership as the MFY Captain moves to third for the good of the team.

David McCarty - RHB off the bench...

...is not going to cut it when Nixon and possibly Ortiz are up and Ricon, Everyday Eddie, Lopez and other good LHRP are on the mound. Among my buddies, I have been advocating for Eric Karros. Karros kills LHP to a tune of 316/389/515 over the last three season with two years at spacious Dodger Stadium. (Parks mostly affect SLG. Karros vs. LHP in 03 while playing home games at Wrigley was 545.) Karros should come pretty cheap too. But Ellis Burks is a better option. (I have always thought about Burks for this role, but he has repeatedly said he does not want to return to Beantown. I also think Boston was a team on his no-trade list at one point.) Karros and Burks have very similar track records against LHP, 292/384/564 for E.B. Burks hits RHP too, unlike Karros. E.B. can just flat out rake when healthy which is the issue or is it.

Burks should be less costly after an injury plagued season. The Sox can take on the health risk because McCarty and Kapler are adequate. McCarty can be Burks' insurance policy without any roster issues because McCarty is signed to a minor league deal. It is a near perfect scenario. Near because Burks is unlikely to platoon with Nixon in right instead of Kapler. Regardless, this would be a solid move. Get it done, Theo.

WHO SAYS CHANGE IS HARD?

Billy Beane and company have made many significant changes to their club over the winter but the Big Three remain and should keep them in contention. The A's were 2nd in the AL in runs prevented and only 6 behind the first place M's while 72 ahead of the next club. The A's are a good pitching and defensive club last season and should be again in 2004. Their problem is with the stick. The A's ranked 9th in the AL in runs scored.

As usual, all big-time and high priced free agents leave Oakland. Miguel Tejada and Keith Foulke are gone. They are replaced by Arthur Rhodes and most likely, Bobby Crosby from the farm. Neither one is likely to match their predecessor’s production although both could adequately man the positions. Crosby played in AAA last season hitting a major league equivalent (mjeqa) of .273 in 2003; Tejada's EQA was .280. The A's might not see a dramatic decrease in production with the arrival of Crosby. The difference can be made up by other positions.

Foulke was awesome last season. We, Sox fans, are going to enjoy when Tito goes to the pen this season. Rhodes is no Foulke. Rhodes really slowed this past season. His K/9 dropped from 10.46 in 2002 (00-02 were all about 10 per 9) to 8.0 and even more of an issue is his K/BB rate falling off a cliff from 6.23 to 2.67. Perhaps something was physically wrong with Rhodes (I believe it was an ankle), but regardless this is a high risk given the contract length and Rhodes’ age. It may come back to haunt them like showing TLong the money.

Speaking of the unproductive outfielder, the A's had a horrible collection last season. Below are the players with more than 100 at-bats:

Player - AB - AVG/OBP/SLG

Dye - 221 - 172/261/253
Singleton - 306 - 245/301/340
Guillen - 170 - 265/311/459
Long - 486 - 245/293/385
Byrnes - 414 - 263/333/459
McMillon - 153 - 268/354/458
Piatt - 100 - 240/280/460

The weighted average of the above players was 243/305/395 in 2333 at-bats. The hitting line looks like it should belong to a 1970's gold glove shortstop not an outfield.

The likely outfielders in 2004 with last season's stats are below:

Kotsay – 482 - 283/355/426
Kielty – 427 - 261/367/428
Byrnes – 414 - 258/325/456
Dye – 221 – 172/261/253

In 1544 at-bats last season, the group hit 246/333/390 which is not much better than the mess in 2003. But we know that one previous season is not solely a good indicator of future performance. Baseball Prospectus’ forecasting system has the foursome hitting a collective 257/332/427 (like I would give up my system; my fantasy opponents read this). It is an improvement. BP is too conservative limiting the foursomes’ at-bats, indicating no improvement for both Kielty and Byrnes and throwing Jermaine Dye into the Bay. If Dye at 29 can somewhat resemble his 2002 season hitting 252/333/459 in 488 at-bats, it would be a big plus for the A’s.

Damian Miller takes over for Hernandez behind the plate. Even though I have doubts about Hernandez, he is young, developing and signed for reasonable money. Hernandez can also hit going 271/331/458 in 2003. He is replaced by the 34 year-old Miller who hit 233/310/269 at Wrigley. Miller's production can only be forecast to continue to decline moving to the Bay Area. The A’s are taking a hit in production behind the plate.

Miller will play catch with Mark Redman who replaces Ted Lilly as the club #4. It is basically a wash. Lilly probably has more upside, but with more risk than Redman. Both are good #4's and it makes Harden a very good #5. The Sox will have a difficult time facing three good LH starters if both clubs faces off again in October.

In summary, the A’s are taking big risks at catcher and short stop. The outfield should improve but may not offset the probable decrease in production from SS, C and possibly in the pen. The A’s have to take these risk due to their limited financial resources. The Big Three and good glove work will have to carry this club again into October.

MOTHER #$%ING YANKEES

Larry Mahnken of Replacement Level Yankees does a fabulous job analyzing, in his words, the New Faces of Evil. These Mahnken's posts are lengthy, almost "Gleeman like", and much longer than the usual El Guapo's Ghost reader is used to but his comments are worth the time. If you do not have the time, El Guapo's Ghost’s summary take on the MFY goes like this: the Yankees' starter's have question marks with high upside, the pen is better and deeper, the defense is still poor and the offense should be as good if not better than last season. Barring injuries, the A.L. B-East will be a three team race.

The A's analysis will be this week. Next week, I will try to get over the A-Rod.

QUESTION WHO IS A BIGGER LIAR - ROGER CLEMENS OR BUSH and HIS WHITE HOUSE?
Clemens joins the Astros. I like this for two reasons: 1) it pisses off Boy George, and 2) Clemens will have to pick up a bat.

VLAD OUT WEST

The ten or so hardcore fans of the Angels should be kissing the feet of Art Monerno. Not only does the man drop beer prices as his first act after taking over the team, but signs Vlad making his club a legit playoff contender as Neyer suggests. I would only add one comment to Neyer's analysis: a full season of Troy Glaus will improve the club over 2003 as well. Glaus only had 367 PA in 2003. If healthy, Glaus should have about 300 more.

If I were one of the ten hardcore fans, I would not be booking an October flight to the East Coast just yet. The Angels have some question marks going into the 2004 season:
1. Which Jose Guillen and Kelvin Escobar are they going to get in 2004? Both had their most successful season in 2003.
2. Can Salmon and Erstad stay healthy in less physically demanding positions?
3. Will Glaus return to form after missing half a season?
4. Is Colon's dropping K rate a reason for concern or is he just learning how to pitch more efficiently?
5. Can Garrett Anderson play center at 31 on a full-time basis?
6. Will Vlad's back hold up?
Of course, you could make a list this size for any club, but not one filled with so many key players. Stoneman needs to find some insurance policies for the above questions.

UPDATE
I will not be posting on Seattle since the folks at the USS MARINER do not foresee October baseball in the Pacific Northwest. I lost my notes on the Royals so I will not be posting on that team too. Basically, Allard Baird has put together a club that should contend in the AL Central by acquiring cost effective hitters with high upside. If the pitching can come along, the Royals should be in contention throughout 2004. Jeremy Affeldt and his blister issue could be the key for the Royals. If his blisters are under control, Affeldt could become the Royals #1. If not, they should make Affeldt the relief ace and trade the highly talented and inconsistent MacDonald. I would love to see Baird add Greg Maddux. He would be a perfect fit with Royals, as a veteran who can pitch 200+ above average innings.

The only Sox news floating around is from Gamo.

Boston may not have to move Scott Williamson, who looms as an invaluable setup man for Keith Foulke. The Red Sox are over $120 million presently and will have to pay some luxury tax, but the penalty is far smaller the first time, and with a half dozen major players potentially gone for 2005, the tax will be a one-shot deal.

Has Gammons been reading El Guapo's Ghost? Hmm...
"Major moves would need to be made to acquire Foulke and not pay the luxury tax."
"Williamson is the insurance policy on Timlin and Embree."

Gammons goes on to say...
Kevin Millar is still pushing for Theo Epstein to sign Ryan Dempster, while the club is also talking to left-hand reliever Nick Bierbrodt and Jeremy Giambi, the latter on a minor-league deal as insurance should David Ortiz get hurt.

Dempster, Bierdrodt and Giambi are all interesting players but none should get a major league deal. There is little room for these risks on the 25. Long-time El Guapo's Ghost readers know that Little G is one of my favs and still kind of is, but Dauber is plan B at DH. (I like Dauber too due to the variety of nicknames I have for him but I am not confident that Porn Star makes the club. The Sox need a LHP masher off the bench; Douchebag is anything but.) Dempster has shown signs of effectiveness in the past. He is still young at 26. Sometime in AAA might allow him to regain his confidence and consistency. Finding the strike zone has recently been difficult for Dempster. Beirdrodt is a lefty starter/reliever who had some injury issues in 2002. He is still young but has not been productive at the MLB level.

ANOTHER CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS?

Maels Rodriguez and Yobal Duenas were declared free agents by MLB this week after leaving Cuban in October. Rodriguez is the prize out of the two. He is 24 and throws 100 mph from the right side.

Roger Jongewaard, Seattle's vice president for player personnel in the Seattle Times states that...
"I saw him in (the World Cup) in Winnipeg," Jongewaard said. "When he's right, this guy comes in and throws a true 100 miles per hour."

However, there are questions about Rodriguez's arm and back, and Cuban baseball officials have said he lost 15 mph off his fastball. "But you never know," Jongewaard said. "The Cubans may be spreading the rumor to make it tough for him to defect."

After leaving Cuban, Rodriguez said...
"I'm going to demonstrate that I can still throw 100," Rodriguez said Thursday on Miami Spanish-language radio station WQBA-AM. "These are things that they invent to cut a little off the careers of some athletes."

According to Baseball America, Rodriguez's agent,
Vilar said a half-dozen teams, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Mariners and Rangers, are interested in him. Vilar has used the four-year $32 million contract the Yankees gave fellow defector Jose Contreras in December 2002 as a measuring stick for Rodriguez' asking price.

Rodriguez is a reliever; Contreras is a starter. The market for a reliever is vastly different than one for a starter. Vilar can and should not use Contreras’ contract as a “measuring stick for Rodriguez.” Top free agent starting pitchers are still signing lucrative contracts similar to Contreras’ like Colon, Escobar, and Pettitte, but relief pitchers are finding a different market place. This season’s top free agent relief pitcher, Keith Foulke signed for $24 million over four years plus incentives that could make his deal comparable to Contreras’. But Foulke is and has been one of the top relief pitchers in the game. No team will offer a similar deal to Rodriguez, not even the MFY. It is ridiculous for Vilar to compare Contreras or Foulke to his client. Baez and Looper would be better. The three are all hard throwing relief pitchers with question marks. Baez and Looper both signed for $6.5 million over two seasons. Rodriguez will sign a similar contract, possibly with the Mets, O’s or Rangers. The Sox, MFY, and M’s pens are fairly well stocked and ready. Vilar is just trying to drive up the market for his client, which is his job, but he is loosing credibility with unreasonable comparisons.


Just Charge It

Further proof that the Bee-more Co's do not have a clue. Three years and about $21 million for a pitcher with weight problems, a shaky shoulder and average strike out stats is foolish. Are they aware that Carlos Beltran, Eric Chavez, and Jose Vidro are all likely to be free agents and possibly Kerry Wood, Pedro, Lowe, Nomar after the 2004 season? Why waste good money on marginal talent?

PALMEIRO TO THE O'S

It appears Raffy is heading back to Baltimore. The only issue is whether the deal is one-year and an option. As I said yesterday, Baltimore is the only logical place for Palmeiro although it is not a good fit.

Note to the O's Co-GMs: just because you got money doesn't mean you have to spend it. Javy Lopez? $12 million for Tejada? With or without Vlad, the O's do not get out of fourth place in the AL B-East. Next offseason, the Co's will be kicking themselves for their signings this winter.

THEO COMES CLEAN. HOW ABOUT TITO?

Mike Cubbage is the man who saved at least two years of my life. If I had to endure "Send Them Home" Kim with Shady Chicken Little, I would be checking into the Betty Ford Clinic. My liver would be shot. So the way the Sox treated Cubbage was terrible. M.C. even gave up the opportunity to be the Head Coach at Virginia which was reported as his dream job.

``I think they've known this for some time, but I was just waiting to see if I'd get the decency of a phone call,'' Cubbage said from his home in Virginia. ``I am bitterly disappointed with the way the whole thing transpired, with no communication with the front office since Oct. 27. To be dangled this long, I don't think any coach deserves this.''

Said Epstein: ``There was some miscommunication. Terry Francona told Cubbie he was not going to be the coach, he told him a long time ago. There was miscommunication, but it was cleared up today. I told him I was sorry.''

Tito, it is your turn to apologize.

The post on Raffy below is the worst I have written. Basically, I think Raffy would provide the Sox with depth yielding flexibility and insurance at a low cost.

If anyone is interested in a group outing to Fenway, please email me ASAP and no later than next Wednesday. If we get more than 20, it is a go.

WATCH OUT FOR THE CLUB UP NORTH

Much of the mainstream media's focus has been on the offseason moves or non-moves of the Red Sox and MFY, but the Jays have made significant improvements on a tight budget. Barring any major injuries, they should fight our Sox and the MFY to the end.

There are many reasons, some of them reasonable, for our focus on the MFY but J.P. Ricciardi and company has improved the team that won 86 games last season. The Jays were expected to win 87 based on their run differential. They are for real. They also played both our Sox and the MFY tough going 18-20. The Jays should not be forgotten.

Before getting to the offseason activity, if the Jays performed better in one-run games, they could have been within striking distance of the Sox and the Wild Card. The Jays were 14-23 in games decided by one-run and the Sox were 26-16. Most analysts believe that luck plays a big part in determining success in close games. The roles could have easily been reversed.

This offseason J.P. and company have improved their club. Even though this is a quick and dirty look, it speaks volumes.

Hitters with 300+ at bats and (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 2003

Out:
Bordick (274/340/382 in 343)
Stewart (294/347/449 in 303)

In:
none

The incumbent position players (Reed Johnson, Hinske, Phelps, Catalanotto) that comprised a potent offense last season will take up the at-bats lost. The Jays should not miss either player at the plate.

Pitchers with 100+ innings or 40+ relief appearance and ERA in 2003

Out:
Escobar - 4.29 in 180
Lidle - 5.75 in 192
Hendrickson - 5.51 in 158
Politte - 5.66 in 54 appearances
Tam - 5.64 in 44 appearances

In:
Lily - 4.34 in 178
Batista - 3.54 in 193
Hentgen - 4.09 in 160
Speier - 4.05 in 72
Lightenberg - 3.34 in 68

A rotation of Halladay, Batista, Lily and Hentgen should be tough. Lightenberg is murder on RHB, Lopez is a nice lefty find from last season's Rule V Draft and Speier should find closing games out easier in Toronto than Denver. The Jays staff is almost completely revamped and upgraded.

The Jays improved their pitching without weakening their offense. Even though the J.P. did not improve his club's poor glove work, the huge pluses on the mound should aid in preventing runs. The Jay are going to be tough and should not be ignored. It is going to be a three team race in the AL East.

$4.5 MILLION FOR A FORMER MVP?

Allard Baird is coming into his own after inking Juan Gone for $4.5 million base salary plus incentives based on plate appearances. Baird could be having the best offseason of any GM, including "King Theo." But tomorrow will be the time to examine the Rockin' Royals. This post is about Raffy Palmeiro.

Raffy is a 39 year old southpaw DH. His numbers declined in 2003, but still good and not far off his career marks. Even though Palmeiro's production will certainly drop in 2004 due to age and moving from the best hitter's park in the AL, many teams could use his bat in the lineup. Raffy should also command around or less than JGone's $4.5 million, which should fit into more than a few team budgets. So which AL team's have room for a durable career 291/373/522? Not many.

The only non-full rebuilding club that may have 500 at-bats for Palmeiro is Baltimore depending upon the health of Segui, Cordova and the outcome in their pursuit of Vlad. Every other AL team has a player slotted as a DH. It is unlikely that Raffy will be signed by an AL team and get a full-time job. The Cards or Pirates could be a home for the possible future Hall of Famer, but he would have to play first base. A position that Raffy has only played 152 games at over the last two seasons. His ability to man the position on a full-time basis would be a huge question. These factors reduce the demand for Palmeiro's services and his price tag.

Theo should sign Raffy for $2-3 million plus incentives in 30 or so days. He does want to be without a job when pitchers and catchers report. He will take the deal with the opportunity to win a job from Millar or Ortiz and win a World Series. First, it gives the Sox a nice insurance policy and a big bat off the bench. Second, if Raffy plays well, Theo can move the future HOF, Ortiz or Millar when another club's DH/1B goes down to injury. Depth, among other things, brings flexibility. Inking Palmeiro to a reasonable deal opens up more possibilities for the Sox now and in the future.