Boston Red Sox

ESPN's Buster Olney has reported that there have been preliminary trade talks between the Boston Red Sox and the Celevaland Indians. The trade would help both teams as their needs will be partially fulfilled.

The trade has shape up so the Indians would trade their top prospect in Matt LaPorta in exchange for one of Boston's young arms being either Michael Bowden, Clay Bucholtz, or Daniel Bard. This would mean that LaPorta would be traded for the second time in two years.

Yesterday, I focused my Top 10 list on Theo Epstein's 10 worst free agent signings.

Today, I will examine why Theo Epstein is one of the top three General Managers in baseball.

Theo Epstein has gained legendary/rock star status in Boston by putting together two World Champions Boston craved for 86 years.

He has done it through the draft, trading, when to let go of an aging star and free agency.

Here is a look at Theo Epstein's finest moves

Some might call last night’s game a loss.  The box scores, for one, and the standings.

But a few months from now, looking back, it just might feel like a win. 

"Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way"

For those members of Red Sox Nation who are familiar with the writings of Thomas Paine, the American writer and political pamphleteer, there is no shortage of quotes, which describe the "Common Sense" way that Jason Varitek has embarked on this season.

The Captain is in the midst of silencing the critics, who were ready to bury Varitek  after last season's miserable campaign. He batted only .220 with 13 homers and 43 runs batted in last season, by far the worst of his career.

Theo Epstein, the architect and GM of two World Championships, has been a master at his craft.

He has built the Boston Red Sox through the farm system and some of the gutsiest trades in Sox history.

But, he has shown flaws under his reign and the most glaring has been his free agent signings.

Epstein has had gems like David Ortiz, Mike Timlin and Bill Mueller.

Yet, he's whiffed on most of his signings.

Here is a look at the Top 10 worst free agent signings under his helm.

Let's start this article off by saying one thing.  Rocco Baldelli is not only athletically gifted, but pretty damn smart as well.

He attended the Gifted and Talented student program while at La Salle Academy in Rhode Island, and then switched to a normal high school by the name of Bishop Hendrickson High School, also in Rhode Island.

While at BHHS, the baseball stud posted a 4.25 grade-point average.  He played baseball, indoor track, basketball, and even volleyball, and was a four-star athlete at those sports.

Acquired by the Red Sox at the eleventh hour of last season's trade deadline as part of the three-way deal that sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, Jason Bay has more than filled the shoes vacated by his predecessor in Boston. 

In 184 at-bats for the Red Sox in 2008, Bay compiled a solid line of .293 AVG/.370 OBP/.527 SLG.  He continued to perform in the playoffs, and unsurprisingly, the Fenway Faithful had high hopes for their new left-fielder coming into the 2009 campaign. 

Unless you are just getting back from a two-month long vacation in the Sahara Desert, you are aware of the struggles of Boston's beloved slugger David Ortiz.

After arriving in Boston in 2003, David Ortiz quickly captured the hearts of millions of Sox fans after the comeback in the 2004 ALCS against the hated Yankees.

David Ortiz became a staple in the No. 3 hole of the Red Sox line up for four years. All of a sudden, Mr. Ortiz can't seem to catch a break in the early part of the 2009 season.

John Smoltz is a baseball anomaly.

Everyone is well aware of the career that Smoltz had during his 20 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He compiled 210 victories during his tenure in Atlanta while also racking up 154 saves.