Boston Red Sox: The 10 Stupidest Things Boston Could Do This Offseason

The Boston Red Sox have just completed what may be the worst collapse in the history of the MLB.

All of Boston is in dismay and it's starting to feel like it did before the curse had been reversed in 2004. The Red Sox need to be smart this offseason if they want to be contenders again in 2012.

Here are the 10 stupidest things that Boston could do this offseason.

Watch SportsCenter

Everyone who is a part of the Red Sox organization should avoid SportsCenter this offseason.

Throughout the offseason, even right up until opening day 2012, the anchors on SportsCenter will never stop talking about Boston's monumental collapse of September 2011. They will lay the blame on several players and consistently talk about the enormity of the collapse.

If the Red Sox were smart, they wouldn't get caught up in ESPN this season and they will all focus on getting ready to have a big 2012.

Single Out Carl Crawford

Let's get one thing straight.

This was NOT Carl Crawford's fault.

No, he did not nearly live up to the expectations set for him in 2012.  No, he did not make the catch on the final play of the season. And yes, everyone thinks that Crawford was a big mistake.

Granted, Crawford may have been a mistake by Theo Epstein but what fans have to realize is that Crawford is not going anywhere. The player that he was just a year ago still exists and now he can finally make the adjustment from a low-press market in Tampa to a high-press market in Boston.

If people keep ripping into Crawford, it will be harder to him to get over 2011 so don't be stupid. Leave the man alone!

Re-Sign Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield

Old, older and oldest.

Three accurate words that describe Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield. Don't get me wrong, I love both of these guys with all my heart but it is time for a change. 

There are other players that the Red Sox can use in their places who will produce more than each of these guys. Although they will be missed, it is time for them to pass on their torches to new talent.

Ignore Their Prospects

Extending off of the previous slide, it would be a good idea to pass on those torches to some of the prospects in Boston's farm system.

The Red Sox have a really good farm system and guys like Ryan Lavarnway need to be given more time at the big league level.

When Boston was winning championships in 2004 and 2007, they were not doing it by spending a mass amount of money on big-time players. They had a team built around their farm system and other players who fit into the attitude and style of team dynamic.

One of the stupidest things that Boston could do this offseason is ignore the great prospects that they do have, which also leads me to my next point...

Spend Another $140 Million on a Player

Don't make any more blockbuster deals this offseason! My Lord, wasn't $350 million over the past two years enough?!

I know, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols are sitting pretty on the market this offseason and all the general managers in the MLB are probably drooling over the both of them but Boston should NOT be one of those teams. That applies to all of the other blockbuster hitters and pitchers on the market as well.

JD Drew, John Lackey and Carl Crawford are three of the blockbuster deals made over the past few years and none of them have panned out so far. Drew will no longer be a member of the Red Sox in the month, Lackey is just plain awful and the Crawford still has time to prove himself but so far...BUST!

Use your farm system and get some mid-level players but Boston please, I implore you, do not be stupid and go shopping big...AGAIN!

Not Find a Fifth Starter

In 2012, the Red Sox will have Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz as the starting three pitchers in the lineup. John Lackey, even though I hate to say it, will be the number four pitcher.

Andrew Miller can NOT be number five!

Now I am not saying that the Red Sox should go out and spend a gajillion dollars on a guy like CJ Wilson, but they should definitely consider guys like Hiroki Kuroda and Edwin Jackson. As long as they were given mid-level contracts, they would be of great value to a team who desperately needs the back end of a starting rotation.

And if Boston does not want to go through free agency, they could always look to their farm system with players such as Ale Wilson, Kyle Weiland and Felix Doubront and have them fight out the final starting pitcher spot during the preseason.

The Red Sox need to find someone who can consistently fill out the rotation in 2012.

Let David Ortiz Walk

In 2011, David Ortiz proved that he can still produce on a consistent basis for the Red Sox. He has shown that he still has a lot left in the tank and Boston should jump on the opportunity to re-sign Big Papi for at least 2012 and possibly 2013 as well.

The Red Sox do want to make a change this offseason but not bringing back Ortiz would be too big of a change too quickly and they would be stupid to not bring back the heart and soul of the organization.

Keep Theo Epstein

Theo Epstein did bring two World Series titles to Boston but his way of thinking has changed and despite his great ability to draft prospects, his actions are no longer serving the best interests of the organization.

Theo keeps making blockbuster deal after blockbuster deal and I feel like I am becoming a Yankees fan. It never used to be this way in Boston and the team in 2004 didn't need all of these huge deals that he has been making the past few seasons.

And it clearly isn't working when you consider that Boston hasn't made the playoffs for two straight seasons. 

Epstein is throwing around money more than a baseball is thrown around at a Red Sox game and it is hard to think that he has any plans of stopping. If Boston's organization were smart, they would part ways with their general manager this offseason.

Make Daniel Bard Closer

Remember when everyone wanted Daniel Bard to be the permanent closer for the Sox after this season? 

Do you still think that?

After an abysmal September, it is clear that Bard is not ready to take on the role as closer for Boston. The Red Sox would be smart to re-sign Jonathan Papelbon despite his blown save in the last game of the season. Papelbon is a true member of the Red Sox and with only three blown saves in all of 2011, Papelbon has shown that he is still the closer that we have all grown to love.

One thing is for certain, Boston would be stupid to make Bard the closer going forward.

Fire Terry Francona

Well... apparently this one has already happened.

What a STUPID move by Boston. The organization clearly thought that it needed a scapegoat and by not picking up Terry Francona's option, they have given the title to him.

Tito never did anything wrong in his tenure with Boston. He won two World Championships and for years he dealt with injuries to his players and still brought the Red Sox to incredible lengths despite any adversity.

This guy is arguably the best manager in the history of the organization and despite the fact that the collapse was not his fault, he no longer has a job with the organization.

Francona will be missed by many, including myself, and he will forever be my favorite Red Sox manager.