Grand SLAM

The Red Sox shocked the baseball world late Wednesday night by signing
 free-agent outfielder Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million deal. 

In a stunning turn of events, the Boston Red Sox just went from being a serious playoff contender to full blown World Series favorites. Just five days after pulling off a blockbuster trade to acquire slugging first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, Theo Epstein and Co. shocked the world again late Wednesday night by reeling in the hottest free-agent on the market, outfielder Carl Crawford, with a reported seven-year, $142 million deal.

The move is so surprising because, after acquiring Gonzalez less than a week ago, it was presumed around the baseball circles that the Sox were out of the Crawford sweepstakes. After all, Gonzalez is technically only signed through the 2011 season but all reports indicate that both the Sox and Gonzalez have already agreed to the framework of a mammoth extension, believed to be for seven-years, $154 million. As a result, one would think that the Gonzalez deal would put the relatively conservative Sox at their fiscal limit. 

Wrong. Theo had us duped the entire time. After trading for Gonzalez, Epstein was asked what his top three priorities were during the Winter Meetings. His answer: "bullpen, bullpen, and maybe a right-handed bat." Suddenly, reports began to surface that the Sox had made offers to relievers like Brian Fuentes and Kevin Gregg. Rumors swirled that Epstein might go after Magglio Ordonez, or target Carlos Beltran or Josh Willingham in a possible trade. 

Making the possibility of signing Crawford even more of a long shot, several sources indicated just yesterday that the star outfielder was likely to join the Angels, given his desire to join forces with close friend Torrii Hunter in Los Angeles. Not so. 

The acquisition of Crawford changes everything for the Red Sox. He is a 29-year-old, four time All-Star in his prime. His mere presence in the lineup immediately adds a dynamic that many of us have never seen before. He is the best pure base-stealer in the game, with speed like Jacoby Ellsbury and instincts like Dave Roberts. He puts pressure on the defense every time he reaches first base. He turns singles into doubles with relative ease and runs flawlessly from first to third. Over the past several seasons, playing the Rays was often so agonizing simply because of Crawford, who seemed to always get in the Sox pitchers' heads, forcing them to throw over time after time, thus focusing less on the hitter. We all remember that fateful game in 2009 when he stole six straight bases against the Sox, tying the modern era record. 

In addition, he's a flawless defender and a true force at the plate. In the field, his great speed allows him to track down balls that otherwise seem uncatchable. Coupled with a rocket-arm, Crawford hauled in his first gold glove award this past season. At the plate, he possesses a rare combination of skills. We always knew he could hit for average (career .296 hitter) but last season he developed into a player who could hit for power and drive in runs as well (set career highs with 19 homers and 90 RBI's in 2010). Throw him in a line-up with Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and J.D. Drew and the sky's the limit. 

So, the question must be raised: what prompted the Red Sox to break the bank this week, committing relatively $300 million on just two players? My guess is that the Red Sox took a long, hard look at what transpired around Fenway Park last season and knew changes had to be made. Finishing 89-73 might be deemed "satisfactory" in some cities, but not Boston. Still, it wasn't just the fact that the Sox failed to make the playoffs, it was the sad truth that they had become boring. Buzz around the ballpark was down considerably. TV and radio ratings plummeted. The 2010 Sox might have felt like a feel-good story to some of us, treading water admirably with a bunch of journeymen and rookies, but in reality they never had a realistic shot at the postseason. 

Not anymore. With the acquisition of Gonzalez and now Crawford, the balance of power has shifted in the AL East and the 2011 Red Sox are now favorites to win it all. Suddenly, for Red Sox Nation, everything in life is better. The winter chill feels a little less menacing. Food tastes better. Coffee seems crisper and more invigorating. Television feels less abrasive and intrusive. Even work seems just a little bit more tolerable. 

Only in Boston would we have a 10-2 football team poised for a title run, a 17-4 basketball team eyeing a return trip to the Finals and an upstart hockey club looking to avenge last year's heartbreaking collapse, yet, after all that transpired these past few days, all we can think about now is Opening Day.