Check, Checkmate...

If the Yankees land Cliff Lee, will Theo and the Sox be
able to counter by signing Carl Crawford?

Once upon a time, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and Co. boarded a plane westward and crashed Curt and Shonda Schilling's Thanksgiving day festivities in 2003. Over turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing, Epstein persuaded Schilling to waive his no trade clause with the Diamondbacks and come to Boston. The rest is history, as The Big Schill talked the talk and walked the walk, bloody sock and all, to lead the Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years.

Word surfaced just days ago that Yankees GM Brian Cashman is about to do the same with free agent ace Cliff Lee, flying to Arkansas in an attempt to swoon the lefty to the Bronx. Rumor has it that Lee could command a contract in the CC Sabathia range (8 years, $160 million or more) and we all know the only team able to offer that kind of deal is the Yankees and their unlimited checkbook. However, after reports surfaced during the World Series that vulgur Yankee fans spit onto Mrs. Lee's head and yelled obscenities at her from the top balcony, the pinstripes' chances of landing Lee are anything but a slam dunk.

So the question must be raised......what is Theo's plan? How will he counter Cashman's move if he is able to lure Lee to New York. Such a significant move would certainly alter the balance of power in the AL East. My vote is for Epstein to hop on a plane to Texas and knock on Carl Crawford's door, maybe even stop by Adrian Beltre's abode as well. As 2010 proved, the Sox have a plethora of young, talented pitching in Buccholz, Lester and Bard, surrounded by more than able fill ins in Beckett, Lackey and Papelbon who should rebound to have a better year than last. Where the Sox really struggled was on offense, mostly due to the fact that stalwarts Pedroia, Youkilis, Ellsbury, as well as V-Mart and Cameron missed significant time due to injury. After bringing back Big Papi, Theo should now focus on having Crawford or Jason Werth sign on the dotted line, as well as Beltre and V-Mart.

If Cashman gets his wish, the Yankees will boast a formidable rotation of Sabathia, Lee, Hughes, Pettitte and Burnett. However, as Texas and San Francisco were able to display this postseason, big games are won with defense, pitching and timely hitting. The Sox have the pitching and defense already, and by bringing back Beltre and V-Mart, while also adding a bat like Crawford to the lineup, they would appear to have the offensive firepower as well. But hey, if all else fails, Theo can always throw his hat back in the Adrian Gonzalez ring, right?