Boston Red Sox: How Will Ben Cherington Replace John Lackey?

Boston Red Sox starter John Lackey will have Tommy John Surgery sometime this offseason and will be out for the entire 2012 campaign. Ben Cherington needs to act fast to replace the highest paid disappointment that Theo Epstein brought in to be the third starter in 2010.

There are many options Cherington could look at, but I only see six options that the Red Sox would be willing to get for the short or long term. Some are out on the free-agent market, some are opting out of contracts and some are already on the team.

Let's all hope Cherington finds a manager first and then see if he can make a splash for the Red Sox this 2012 season.

Signing Roy Oswalt

Oswalt is one of those pitchers who can be thrown out there for six or seven inning and give up zero to three runs each start. Every chance this happens the team he pitches for has the chance to win, and that is why the Red Sox need someone like him as their third starter.

Oswalt may have been 9-10 with the Phillies in 2011 and he may be 34 years old with a history of injuries, but he is a solid No. 3 starter who has proven himself to be a viable asset for any team. His ERA was 3.69 with the Phillies and it may be a tad bit worse than that in the AL East, but it can't be as bad as Lackey's 6.41 ERA.

The Sox should cash in on the Phillies not picking up Oswalt's option.

Making Daniel Bard a Starter

Daniel Bard was a pretty good setup man for the Sox in 2011, but he would be more valuable as a starter in 2012. He had some starts in the minors, so it won't be new to him.

Bard has great makeup for a starter with a powerful fastball, a tough slider and just needs to work on his changeup. If he can use these successfully, then he would be a great in-house option for the Sox.

Signing C.C. Sabathia After He Opts out of Yankees Deal

Sabathia would cost over $110 million for the Sox and he would definitely be worth it. He would be a great presence in the clubhouse and an ace of the Sox's rotation in 2012.

His 3.00 ERA led all Yankees' starters in 2012 and he was 19-8 and was the most consistent starter for the Yankees, except against the Red Sox.

If Sabathia opts out, then expect the Sox to put all their extra money towards him, so that they have a great leader and ace to start the 2012 campaign.

Trading for Paul Maholm

Another lefty that the Sox could use with a right-handed heavy starting five, Paul Maholm, could have his option picked up by the Pittsburgh Pirates. This would only happen if they could trade him.

If the Pirates pick up his option, expect the Sox to be in the running. His record may have been 6-14 in 2011, but his ERA was only 3.66. He landed on the 60-day DL on Aug. 20 with a shoulder strain, and it was his first career stint on the disabled list in his six years of MLB service.

Maholm would fit perfectly into the third spot in the Sox rotation.

Re-Signing Erik Bedard

Bedard has always been hurt down the stretch with the lack of good teams that he has played on and 2011 was no different. He was hurt for most of September with the Sox, and the Sox played poorly the last 30 days or so.

Bedard is one of the best lefties in the game when healthy and Cherington would love to have him as a third starter. He eats up innings and strikes out batters at a highly productive rate.

If the Sox don't re-sign him, then they will have to deal with the consequences of losing a great No. 3 starter.

Trading for Wandy Rodriguez

The Sox need a left-handed starter than a right-handed stater and trading for Wandy Rodriguez would be a huge addition to bolster the Sox's rotation in 2012.

Rodriguez finished his 2011 season with an 11-11 record and a 3.39 ERA which would be terrific for a No. 3 starter. Sure the Sox would have to keep up some talent in the farm system, but he is worth it because the Sox need pitching help and fast.