Crawford will start the season on the disabled list after wrist surgery, but Cody Ross’s righthanded pop should help. (Nick Cafardo – Boston Globe)

One of the reasons for the Sox failure last year was the shortcomings of Crawford. He dropped an absolute dud when faced with all of these high expectations. For the Sox to succeed in 2012 they were going to need to have Carl rebound strong.

When I first started this post I was thinking this could hurt the Sox even more as it will take him a while to rebound from the injury. The more I think about it though the wrist surgery could help him.

What most people don’t realize is Crawford wasn’t really that bad in 2011, I didn’t realize it either till I started this. On the road he was your typical Carl at Fenway he was well a piece of shit. Sorry but that’s the best way to put it.

Home: .195-3-22 with nine doubles and three triples, with six steals.
Away: .285-8-34 with 20 doubles and six triples, with 12 steals.

That’s one hell of a split isn’t it? In only 60 games on the road Crawford notched more then 50% of his career norms in all of those statistics except steals. If he only performed a little bit better at home he could have had career highs in doubles, triples and homers.

Where I think this injury could help is that Carl can shut off his brain and just do what he does best. Early on the wrist will effect his power so really that should have Crawford just do what he does best. Rely on his speed game which isn’t what it used to be but is better then most.

To be successful he’ll have to just think like he does on the road, hit it where the defense isn’t. He’ll have to ignore Pesky Pole and the Monster, stop trying to take advantage of those and play his game. We know Fenway doesn’t suit his skill set but he can still take advantage. Play like he does on the road and he could have a monster rebound season.

@jcrasnick: The Scutaro trade frees up some $$ for #RedSox to make an “aggressive bid” for Roy Oswalt, said a baseball source

By trading Scutaro the Sox freed up $6 million which could be all they need to land Roy. Oswalt is said to be looking for a one-year deal worth around $8 million. The asking price isn’t too bad considering his injury history and only starting 23 games in 2011.

Jerry Crasnick brought up one good question earlier this evening regarding this rumor.

@jcrasnick: If #RedSox wanted to free up $$ for a run at Oswalt, why have they already signed Padilla, Silva, Cook and Andrew Miller?

My answer would be the other guys are all cheap, throw a dart and hope you get a bullseye type. You know Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon types that the New York Yankees struck gold with last year.

I’d say the Sox brought them in hopes they can find a starter as they weren’t sure if they could free up the money for a solid starter like Oswalt.

Can’t blame them for covering their asses. If they bring in Oswalt and strike gold then they’ve got some good depth in their rotation. Even if no minor league deal works out they’d have a serious upgrade if Roy is brought in.

@JonHeymanCBS: Padilla getting closer to #redsox deal

I’m not surprised at all by this news after the Yankees dominated headlines last night they probably feel pressed to make a move. Nothing major but just a move especially one that will address one of their main areas of weakness in 2011.

Padilla is an attractive option he’s still got filthy stuff but the question is can he stay healthy? I’m sure any deal will be incentive filled to protect the team should he miss time. He hasn’t started more then 30 games since 2006 or thrown over 100 innings since 2009.

Who knows though he could be their Bartolo Colon and give them some early season magic till his arm falls off.

Veteran free-agent righthander Roy Oswalt would be an excellent veteran presence in Boston’s starting rotation, and even though the Red Sox are aware that Oswalt would be open to a one-year deal, he still appears to be out of Boston’s price range.

The Sox may have competition from the Yankees on Oswalt, who is also being eyes by the St. Louis Cardinals, where Oswalt would love to pitch. (Nick Cafardo – Boston Globe)

I’m not surprised that Oswalt would “love” to pitch for the defending Major League champions. He had the taste of pitching in a superstar rotation last year and pitched quite well in the fourth spot with no pressure. In St. Louis he’d most likely enjoy the same luxury thanks to Cris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Jaime Garcia.

The only question in my mind would be will the Cardinals match the dollar figure he’s looking for. If they are I’d expect him in St. Louis and staying put in the National League.

Four American League contenders — the Rangers, Angels, Red Sox, and Blue Jays — have shown interest in free-agent left-hander Darren Oliver, a major-league source told FOXSports.com.

Oliver, 41, is coming off a season in which he posted a career-low 2.29 ERA in 61 relief appearances for the Texas Rangers.

Oliver pitched for the Red Sox (2002) and Angels (2007-2009) earlier in his career.

Oliver has reached the postseason in each of the last six years but is still looking for his first World Series ring. So, he is almost certain to sign with a team that has a realistic chance of winning it all in 2012. He lives with his family in the Dallas area, so a return to the Rangers would be easiest from a personal standpoint. (FOX Sports)

With all of these teams involved now his price tag has definitely gone up. In 2011 he made $3.25 million with the Rangers and could get more then that if a bidding war ensues.

Who would have ever thought that so many teams would be interested in a 41-year old? I guess when you’re a lefty and coming off the best season in years, possibly his career, I guess that will happen.

@MikeSilvermanBB: #RedSox will meet with agent for CJ Wilson and Roy Oswalt in Dallas at Winter Meetings. #MLB

The decision to meet with their agent is of no surprise as they’ve got plenty of question marks in next years rotation. The only two sure things are Josh Beckett and John Lester, they’ve also got Clay Buchholz returning from injury. Their other two high priced pitchers John Lackey and Dice-K will be out for the year following Tommy John surgery.

For how great they’ve been in developing players recently, they’ve got no one in the minors ready so they’ll have to spend. I’m just surprised they’re contemplating number one and two type pitchers. With their current payroll I didn’t think they’d go crazy on the spending again this winter.

Then again with the collapse they had in 2011, maybe they need too.

@Ken_Rosenthal: #Rangers can’t be ruled out on starters. Have shown strong interest in Garza in past. #Cubs’ new regime willing to move him. #Cubs #MLB

This tweet was actually pretty interesting to me as many have said the Rangers would be out of the market for a starting pitcher after signing a closer. So who do you believe Ken Rosenthal or everyone else? I’d go with Ken.

I don’t see how the Rangers are out of the market for a starter. Yes, Neftali Feliz will be in the starting rotation but who knows how the adjustment will go. Will he succeed? Will his arm hold up? The Rangers would be smart to add another starter, just in case.

But anyways back to the Cubs and their willingness to move Garza. He was a player the Boston Red Sox really wanted as compensation but the Cubs were wise to decline. He’s too good to be used as piece to acquire a front office guy. He’s young, 27, and still has two years under team control.

In 2011, he made $5.95 million and should get a raise but would still be under $10 million. For his type of production, 3.32 ERA over 198 innings with 197 strikeouts, that kind of salary would be a HUGE bargain.

Thanks to that, the Cubs can expect a BIG return and sorry Sox fans Theo Epstein isn’t that big. I can see why Theo wants to place him on the market, he’ll be able to bring in quite a few players while he tries to rebuild the organization.

Free agent left-hander Mark Buehrle toured the new Marlins ballpark Tuesday and caught up with an old friend, manager Ozzie Guillen, during a daylong visit with the team.

The Marlins are the first club to meet with Buehrle, who pitched for Guillen throughout the manager’s eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox. (Palm Beach Post)

While this was an official visit with another team I wouldn’t look into it too much, at least not yet. I think it was more of Buehrle going in and meeting with someone he feels comfortable with before heading out to see the big spenders. He’s sure to have visits with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and who knows who the hell else.

He’s one of the top three starters on the market and he’s going to have plenty of options. There is no way a deal gets done soon but it’s got to be encouraging for Marlins’ fans to see their team in consideration. I’m quite sure having his former manager, Ozzie helps.

Early projections are that Buehrle will look for a four year deal worth about $16 million annually. That’s a deal that makes sense considering the amount of innings he can eat and how he performs at a high level. It would also be a slight raise over his previous contract.

In the past a contract would scare the crap out of the Marlins but with them entering a new stadium they’ve got the money to burn. Are they serious contenders, I’m not sure but if they did add him they’d have a hell of a top two, with Josh Johnson and Mark.

Johnson’s weighed in with the Post and gave his thoughts, it’s safe to say he’s pretty excited at the possibilities.

“It would be great for the team as a whole. He’s a leader in the clubhouse and would really help out the rotation,’ Johnson said Tuesday in a text message. (Palm Beach Post)

The Red Sox have yet to make a contract offer to free agent David Ortiz but the sides are expected to speak soon, possibly tomorrow, according to a source familiar with the talks. Ortiz and the team have already held one face-to-face meeting in Boston on Friday, Oct. 21. (Boston Herald)

I’m not surprised at this at all, the Red Sox don’t want the guy who has been the face of the franchise for the past decade to just walk away. With all the changes they need to keep their fan favorite in the fold. The question is can they come to an agreement.

Big Papi has been fairly reasonable in his demands as he’s been seeking a contract worth about $10 million per year over three seasons. For the production he still provides that’s quite a reasonable dollar value. The length is another thing.

Now if the Sox were willing to do two years at about that rate would Ortiz stay?? If he decides to play hardball then I’m sure Boston will let him explore the market. They won’t overpay for his services.

@SI_JonHeyman: Hearing #redsox may make play for beltran. #giants will be in, too.

Is anyone really shocked by this? I know I’m not, we knew the Sox would be involved, we knew the Giants would and we also know that the New York Yankees will be. I’m also pretty sure the Philadelphia Phillies will kick the tires too.

The question will be what team is willing to pony up the dollar signs over multiple years. Personally, I think it will come down to whatever team that gets that desperation feeling. That feeling that they’ve got to make a move.

Yankees: They’ll feel Beltran out and see how much money he does want since everyone in the Yankees Universe is tired of Nick Swisher disappearing in the postseason.

Phillies: They could use a left fielder as Raul Ibanez is a free agent. Sorry, Philly faithful but John Mayberry Jr is not your answer, unless you’re talking about a platoon. Plus he’ll be needed at first base early on with Ryan Howard out.

Red Sox: JD Drew is finally gone so there is a need for a right fielder. They’ve got no one ready to make that jump to the majors so free agency. Sorry, Red Sox Nation but Ryan Kalish is going to need some minor league seasoning after missing almost all of 2011.

Giants: In my mind this is the most likely destination for him. He was an absolute beast for San Francisco after being trade, he was a completely different player then he has been in New York. He was the force he used to be, batting .323 with nine doubles, four triples and seven homers in just 167 at-bats with most of that damage coming at AT&T Park.

So are one of the big three desperate enough? Was he happier being out of the big city lights? Will he just chase the money? I can’t wait for the World Series to end to start to answer these questions.