Boston Red Sox: 10 Players They Should Avoid This Offseason

This off-season offers a lot of opportunity for the Boston Red Sox to pick up some very good players that could help them get back to the top of the American League East. However, given GM Theo Epstein's continued effort to reaching for free agents, it is also an opportunity to fall flat on their face.

Here are 10 players that the Red Sox should avoid at all costs.

Justin Duchscherer

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SEATTLE - APRIL 12: Starting pitcher Justin Duchscherer #58 of the the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the Mariners' home opener at Safeco Field on April 12, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Justin Duchscherer - Every off-season I see this guy mentioned as a potential Red Sox addition. Don't ask me why.....Duchscherer was injured again last year after going 2-2. His career spans a total of 32 total starts. Yes, lets slot him for the #5 spot if the Dice-K for Kosuke Fukudome rumor is true.

John Buck and The Whiff-A-Thon

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: John Buck #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays connects on a second inning RBI single against the New York Yankees on August 3, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Ah, yes - John Buck. You can slot him for 115 games a year and that many strikeouts per year and have a OBP less than .300. He could be this years' version of Marco Scutaro with more members of the Blue Jays coming to Boston so that the Sox can compete on a 4th place level. Other than that, lets note that he had his one career year last year after hitting 20 HR's and driving in 66 runs.

And, If The Sox Don't Get John Buck

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PHOENIX - SEPTEMBER 21: Catcher Miguel Olivo #21 of the Colorado Rockies during the Major League Baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 21, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Miggy Olivo - the other member of the Toronto Blue Jays catching free agent class. Olivo has had a star-studded career with the White Sox, Mariners, Padres, Marlins, Royals, Rockies and is a "member" of the Blue Jays roster, but in name only.

Olivo never lived up to his potential. Sub .300 OBP. Career .246 batting average. Nice speed though.

Another Pitching Reclamation Project From The City of Oakland

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ST. LOUIS - JUNE 19: Starting pitcher Ben Sheets #15 of the Oakland Athletics reacts after giving up a two-run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Athletics 4-3. (Phot

Ben Sheets was one of the best pitching prospects in the National League back in the day with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, his 90-92 career just shows that Sheets was never the big free-agent prospect that he and his agent thought he was after going 12-5 and 13-9 in 2007 and 2008. Then, Sheets missed the 2009 campaign and went 4-9 last year with the Oakland Athletics. Athletics is a oxymoron considering that they think that guys like Justin Duchscherer and Sheets are a part of this team and guys like Carlos Gonzalez and Matt Holiday are no longer not a part of this team.

Brandon Webb: Is He Really Available?

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PHOENIX - APRIL 06: Starting pitcher Brandon Webb #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the MLB openning day game at Chase Field on April 6, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 9-8. (Pho

Brandon Webb is truly a sad story. After 5 years of going 200 plus innings between 2004 and 2008, Webb has missed the last two seasons. He was one of the best pitchers in the game during those five seasons and had he been able to duplicate that for another 7, he would have already been a borderline Cy Young candidate, in the same mold of Pedro Martinez. However, he has been hurt and anyone even considering taking this guy on cannot depend on him to make a showing in 2011. Pass.....

And Taking I-90 From New York to Boston: Kerry Wood

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Kerry Wood #39 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 20, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Gett

Kerry Wood is now a set-up man. He is not a closer and definitely no longer considered to make spot starts. He is rumored to have an interest in going back to the Cubs and let 'em have at it. They know his history. The Red Sox should go after a more dependable arm and he has not been it for a couple of years.

Chris Young: From San Diego With Love

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Starter Chris Young #32 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on September 18, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Padres beat the Cardinals 8-4. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Chris Young was a 6' 7" starting pitcher that a lot of scouts thought was going to be the next big thing. High strikeout ratios. Big Frame. Unfortunately, bad elbow. At age 31, he is 48-34 and has not pitched a full season since 2007. Someone is going to take a flier on this guy. Hopefully, it is not the Boston Red Sox.

A.J. Pierzynski: Clubhouse Killer

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CHICAGO - JUNE 27: A.J. Pierzynski #12 of the Chicago White Sox throws and breaks his bat after striking out to end the 1st inning against the Chicago Cubs at U.S. Cellular Field on June 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

If the Sox are not going to keep Victor Martinez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia is not their guy, would the Sox possibly think about bringing this guy in? If they do, they are only helping their opponents as he is renown for not being a positive clubhouse guy never mind the fact that he is a 10 HR - 55 RBI - .275 BA with no speed and no defensive skills whatsoever.

Jhonny Peralta: From Short to Third Base

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NEW YORK - AUGUST 16: Jhonny Peralta #27 and Carlos Guillen #9 of the Detroit Tigers collide and drop a pop up in the fourth inning against the New York Yankees on August 16, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim Mc

A lack of mobility cost Jhonny Peralta his job as starting shortstop with the Cleveland Indians. Then, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers and was a third baseman. This is a guy that averages, at best, 15 HR's - 75 RBI - .270 batting average.

I would rather start Lars Anderson at first base and move Youkilis over to 3rd base.

And, Finally: Carlos (I Hit .196) Pena

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ST PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 06: 6: Carlos Pena (23) of the Tampa Bay Rays plays first base during Game 1 of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on October 6, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Dear Carlos - We had you in 2006 and at the time - I thought that the Sox did not give you a chance. From 2007 to 2009, you hit 116 home runs over three years. Of course, your batting average went from .282 to .227 over those three years. Last year, as you were entering free agency, you hit .196 and while collecting 28 home runs and driving 84 runs. As a former Northeastern University student, I am saying that you were the best of the best of the Northeastern University baseball program. However, I think that we missed the boat in 2007 and I don't see how we could possibly sign you when you don't hit for average. Good luck.....