Best Week Ever

We know that VH-1 has their usual stable of c-list comedians, former pop idols, bit characters on sitcoms, and former veejay Kennedy to comment on various cultural phenomena, whether it be a decade, the most awesomely bad love songs, or a weekly news roundup. In case NESN or Fox Sports New England is looking for an analogous band of fringe-celebrity wiseasses to comment on the Red Sox news, I'd just like to mention that I'm available. There should be plenty o' fodder this week as Theo brings his trusted assistants to the Winter GM meetings. This is where many of the Sox major moves this offseason should happen- or at least have their root. Specifically, there are a couple of things the Sox might do:

-Finalize a deal for J.D. Drew. There is so much smoke around this one, and has been for nearly a month that even with the newly closed-mouthed front office, there's got to be some truth to it. The number we keep hearing (I'll assume it's coming from Boras' camp) is four years, $56 million, with a fifth-year option that would take the total contract to around $70 million. The signing of a higher-profile RF was made even more likely this weekend when the Sox opted to decline offering arbitration to the original Dirt Dog, Trot Nixon. The Sox also declined arbitration offers to Gabe Kapler and Mark Loretta- but did offer one to Keith Foulke. This really just ensures that the Sox get some draft pick compensation when he signs with someone else (the Yankees, maybe??).

-Sign Julio Lugo. It is said that Lugo, who is undoubtedly the best shortstop available (though there are other trade longshots, like the Brewers' Bill Hall, that could be better), is leaning to signing with the Sox. He's apparently looking for 4 years/$36 million- just a million a year short of what Edgar Renteria got two years ago from this group. I don't like that contract, either in length or in salary, but this market has forced some questionable decisions. I'd be much more comfortable with 3/$24, but if the market continues like this for a couple of years, Lugo's contract is probably tradeable after the first or second year anyway. Is Jed Lowrie still projected as a 2B rather than an SS?

-Considering the Manny Ramirez options. I have not heard much talk or speculation of Manny going somewhere other than a west-coast team. The Padres have generated the most talk, with names like Jake Peavy, Scott Linebrink, Adrian Gonzalez (yes please) and Khalil Greene. The Dodgers have also been mentioned, with some top-tier prospects involved (Kemp and Broxton?), as have the Mariners. The Rangers seem to be interested, though, they have little interest in giving the Sox Michael Young in exchange. My personal prediction is that Manny won't get traded this week, but rather that Theo will zero in on the two or three teams who are most interested and play them off of each other for the next two weeks or so. By New Year's Day, Manny will be playing in a different time zone.