Saito to Sox

For a guaranteed $1.5m and $2.5m the Red Sox signed reliever Takashi Satio, formerly the Dodgers closer. This is just another addition on a pretty long list by the Red Sox this offseason who have already added Baldelli, Smoltz, Penny, and Ramon Ramirez. In 2003/2004 the Red Sox made a bunch of under the radar moves at the time that helped them win the World Series. They brought in Kevin Millar to play 1b and make dents off the Green Monster, picked up Big Papi for nothing, signed Bill Mueller, traded for Orlando Cabrera, signed Gabe Kapler. In addition to that they signed Keith Foulke and traded for Curt Schilling.

Is 2009 going to have the same results as 2004? It's hard to say, but as the Yankees keep throwing bagillions of money to huge stars, the Red Sox keep scavenging for under the radar talent, or just good deals. They have a great young core, mixed with vets, and now they are doing a great job sprinkling some bargains to fill out the roster. The Yankees said they wanted to get younger and more versatile, and it looked like they were going down that road when they traded for Swisher. Then they just signed the top 3 free agents, which doesn't mean they won't win, but it wasn't necessarily the plan before. The Red Sox on the other hand have built a remarkably well rounded roster with literally no weaknesses.

Getting these guys may not seem like difference makers, but like I said they didn't seem like that in 2004. Saito and Ramirez aren't Sabathia and Burnett but if they pan out the Sox could have the game over by the 5th inning handing it to Ramirez, Saito, Okajima, Papelbon. They also added such pitching depth that combined with their farm system puts them in a position to trade for really whatever they want, like a Curt Schilling via 2009 or maybe as previously mentioned a Hanley.