MLB Free Agency: Deals Boston Red Sox Must Get Done at Winter Meetings

With Bobby Valentine now settled in as the manager, the Boston Red Sox need to make some moves. Here are some moves that the Red Sox need to make on some of the MLB free-agency market before the Winter Meetings are over.

The Red Sox need to not only make deals to sign starters and relievers, but the Sox should also do some trade talks with other clubs, such as the Oakland Athletics, to acquire some great talent for the Sox's pitching staff.

Sign a Starting Pitcher

The Red Sox need a fourth and fifth starter in their rotation and there are multiple options where the Sox could turn to before the Winter Meetings are over.

Roy Oswalt would be the best option for the Red Sox. Oswalt is a proven veteran and he may be injury-prone, but he could be a low cost asset that would help out the Sox rotation.

Another option is Paul Maholm. Maholm finished the 2011 season on the 60-day DL, but he had a pretty good season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and would be another great lefty to compliment Jon Lester in the rotation.

Sign Another Third Baseman

Aramis Ramirez is the best third baseman out on the free-agent market and he would be great to split time with Kevin Youkilis, but if Youkilis is traded away, he could be the everyday third baseman.

The Sox would also need a backup, so they should sign Mike Aviles. He had a pretty good last couple of months after being traded from the Kansas City Royals. Maybe give him a two-year deal worth about $2 million per season.

Trade with Oakland

The Athletics are shopping around lefty starter Gio Gonzalez and closer Andrew Bailey, and the Sox should go hard after these pitchers.

Gonzalez was 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA in 2011 and Bailey had 24 saves and a 3.24 ERA after coming back from injury.

Both these players would be expensive and the Sox should go after Gonzalez more than Bailey. The Sox would have to give up Youkilis and Josh Reddick to get him, but he would not be a disappointment if traded to the Sox.

Sign Some Relief Help

Don't fret Sox fans! There are still a number of options out there for bullpen help and there are even some experienced closers who can replace Jonathan Papelbon.

The best option for the Sox would be Brad Lidge. Lidge does have a history with injuries, but he would fit perfectly into the bullpen as the new closer for the Red Sox.

The Sox also need some other relievers and could sign say Mike Gonzalez to fill out the Sox bullpen to be a better bullpen in 2012.

Sign an Outfielder

The Red are missing at least one outfielder and there are still multiple options that the Sox should sign before the Winter Meetings are over.

One option is Michael Cuddyer. Cuddyer is a great bat and would make the Sox lineup even better. He is only 32 years old.

Another option could be Josh Willingham who put up monster home run numbers even while playing in Oakland.

One final option could be Carlos Beltran. Beltran is getting older but would be a great veteran presence in the Sox clubhouse and dugout.