With Lackey and Cameron, Red Sox Prove That They'll Compete in 2010

From late Monday night to early Tuesday morning, the Boston Red Sox made two large acquisitions: John Lackey and Mike Cameron.

Lackey had been rumored to the Red Sox since the offseason started.

The 31-year-old right-hander had pitched his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels.

Cameron (who last year at this time, was rumored to be headed to the Red Sox' arch rivals, the New York Yankees) will likely play left field for the Red Sox, as Boston "cut all ties" with their popular left-fielder for the past two seasons, Jason Bay.

Cameron will likely start, unless the Red Sox sign Matt Holliday. He will turn 37 on January 8, last played for the Milwaukee Brewers.

He has never spent more than four seasons with a single team (twice: Cameron was with the Chicago White Sox from 1995-1998 and Seattle Mariners 2000-2003).

Cameron's other teams include the San Diego Padres (2006-2007), New York Mets (2004-2005), and Cincinnati Reds (1999).

The Red Sox signed Lackey for five years at $85 million and Cameron at two years for $15 million.

Many fans and reporters (myself included) thought that 2010 would be a "bridge year" for the Red Sox: The Red Sox may flounder for 2010, so that they can take advantage for 2010-2011's large and talented free-agent pool.

However, the Red Sox signing both Lackey and Cameron proves that they will be able to contend for 2010 and beyond.

Cameron will pack an extra punch in an already very strong lineup.

Lackey will be a third ace (maybe fourth, if Daisuke Matsuzaka is pitching like it's the World Baseball Classic) behind Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.

The Red Sox still have some tricks up their sleeves, as they're going hard after Adrian Beltre to take over for Mike Lowell at third base, and expect at least a contract offer from the Red Sox for Matt Holliday, even if Holliday does end up signing somewhere else.

The Red Sox aren't getting weaker for 2010; if anything, they're getting stronger.