Just a theory: Start Masterson and sign Brian Fuentes

Tony Mazz had a nice article in the Globe today breaking down the top 5 decisions Theo Epstein and the Sox need make this offseason.

Picking a center fielder (Jacoby or Coco), signing Tek and adding some pop to the lineup are on the list, along with deciding the future of Justin Masterson:

4. What to do with Justin Masterson?

Before anyone suggests that the Red Sox need to improve their pitching staff, slow down. Assuming Josh Beckett's health, the Sox are in good shape here and have better targets than Jake Peavy on which to spend their resources. Remember, too, that the Epstein and his staff have excelled at producing pitching, in particular, and that the Sox still have Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Daniel Bard, among others.

All of this brings us back to Masterson, who is a pivotal player here. If the Sox anticipate him being a starter, they may need some bullpen help and Buchholz becomes a bargaining chip. If Masterson is a seen as a reliever, the Sox may need to keep Buchholz and Bowden for depth in 2009. In either case, the Sox need to establish some sort of plan for Masterson, at least as it pertains to the short term.

This got me thinking...

Personally, I say keep the kids and spend the money on Teixeira not an overpriced starter. That gives you plenty of depth in the starter department, especially if you add Masterson to the mix.

"Mastey" became a key member of the bullpen, especially when the Sox needed a groundball, and his presence seemed to make everything else click. Okajima settled down, Javier Lopez stayed strong and Manny Delcamen seemed relieved to know that he was not the "official set up man."

With all of those guys likely to return in 2009, the Sox have the option to slide Masterson back into the starting role, where he went 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA, and go after a guy like free agent lefty reliever Brian Fuentes to fill Mastey's spot.

Fuentes' names was being tossed around like a hot potato at the All-Star break, but the Rockies' asking price was eventually deemed too high. Now Fuentes is a free agent and if it's simply a matter of money... well, I think the Red Sox have a couple of bucks to throw at him.

Fuentes finished the '08 season as the Rockies closer, totaling 30 saves and 82 strikeouts to go along with a 2.83 ERA. That ERA isn't overly impressive, but it's the best he's had in seven years with the Rockies and he's help opponents under .210 for the three years in a row despite playing home games in the thin Colorado air.

Bottom Line: Fuentes signed in arbitration for $5.05M and the Rockies could chose to make Manuel Corpas their new closer... Fuentes may want to remain a closer, but after watching the Rockies go from losing the 2007 World Series to 74-88 in 2008, he may be interested in a set-up role on a winning club...