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Ringolsby: It's gains, then pain for Red Sox

Published December 23, 2005 at midnight

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The Boston Red Sox are going to have a new look in 2006.

They just aren't sure exactly what that look will be.

The Red Sox pulled off a roster-bolstering deal with the Florida Marlins, acquiring third baseman Mike Lowell, starting pitcher Josh Beckett and setup reliever Guillermo Mota for four prospects. They answered a question at second base by getting Mark Loretta, a 2004 All-Star, from the San Diego Padres for backup catcher Doug Mirabelli.

The Red Sox do have reason for concern, however.

It was one thing to lose shortstop Edgar Renteria, a free-agent disappointment in his Boston debut last season. The Red Sox willingly traded him, receiving in return premier third-base prospect Andy Marte from the Atlanta Braves.

But now the Red Sox find themselves in need of a leadoff-hitting center fielder. Losing free agent Johnny Damon was a big enough problem for a Red Sox front office that had made retaining him its No. 1 off-season priority. But to make matters worse, Damon signed with the New York Yankees.

Whether the Red Sox were blindsided by agent Scott Boras is up for debate, but the Red Sox were guilty of being too laid-back.

Boras did initially ask for a seven-year contract. And Damon did sign a four-year deal with the Yankees, the same length Boston offered, but the Yankees guaranteed $52 million compared with the Red Sox's $40 million.

There is a contention in Boston that Boras tried to one-up the Red Sox. Boras is said to have called earlier in the week to say he had a six-year deal from the Yankees but Damon would return to the Red Sox for five years. But the next day, Boras told Boston that Damon had a five-year, $65 million offer.

There also is talk around baseball the Yankees told Damon he had their offer, take it or leave it, and he decided to take it, despite speculation the Baltimore Orioles made the five-year offer Boras claimed he had in hand.

What isn't debated is the Red Sox never wavered from their $40 million proposal.

And they still face decisions about left-hander David Wells and left fielder Manny Ramirez, who both have expressed a desire to be traded.

Dodgers' extreme makeover

The Los Angeles Dodgers have undergone a major makeover since the hiring of general manager Ned Colletti. Forget about the ridiculous signing of outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a $2.91 million deal. That was done during the period in which the Dodgers had no general manager.

Since Colletti took charge and brought in manager Grady Little, the Dodgers have revamped their infield by signing free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, third baseman Bill Mueller and Nomar Garciaparra to play first base. They unloaded a headache, Milton Bradley, and replaced him in center field with Kenny Lofton. And they added a durable starter to the rotation, signing Brett Tomko for two years.

Here's the key: Furcal received a three-year, $39 million deal. But Garciaparra and Lofton got only one-year commitments, and Mueller signed for two years, which means the Dodgers have left themselves flexibility for what is expected to be an influx of young talent in the next year or so.

Cubs roll the dice

The Chicago Cubs have taken a couple of gambles to fill major voids. They brought in free agents Scott Eyre, a left-hander, and Bob Howry, a right-hander, for nearly $24 million over three years to fill setup holes. But they answered severe outfield needs by trading for speedy Juan Pierre and signing free agent Jacque Jones.

The rotation remains a concern, however. Kerry Wood is coming off surgery that makes him an uncertainty. Mark Prior, for all the raves he has received, has managed to throw 200 innings only once in four years. And Greg Maddux, 39, is coming off a 13-15 season with a 4.24 earned-run average, his first losing season and highest ERA since he went 6-14 with a 5.61 ERA in his rookie season with the Cubs in 1987.

The Cubs did make pre-emptive moves early in the off-season to re-sign the bulk of their own free agents, including second baseman Todd Walker and shortstop Neifi Perez, so they had some protection when they were jilted by Furcal. They also re-signed closer Ryan Dempster to a three-year deal before the relief market was shaken from its foundation by Toronto's silly five-year, $47 million deal for B.J. Ryan.