Boston Red Sox: With or Without Adrian Gonzalez, This Team is Scary

Do the Boston Red Sox really need Adrian Gonzalez?

Not necessarily.

He would be the ultimate prize and prime solution for first base, though it wouldn't be the end of the world if he winds up not coming to Boston.

Theo Epstein made some very smart transactions this week, signing John Lackey and Mike Cameron.

Lackey bolsters the starting rotation with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield.

Cameron fills the void of the departed Jason Bay, which is not official, but seems pretty much likely.

Bay is not returning to Boston, end of story.

The outfield will now feature Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury, and J.D. Drew.

That's not too shabby is it?

With the current players on the team, here's what the lineup could look like:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury LF/CF

2. Marco Scutaro SS

3. Dustin Pedroia 2B

4. Victor Martinez C

5. Kevin Youkilis 3B

6. J.D. Drew RF

7. David Ortiz DH

8. Mike Cameron LF/CF

9. Casey Kotchman 1B

What's wrong with this lineup?

The one question mark will be nonetheless David Ortiz.

Say if the Mike Lowell trade falls through?

Why not keep Lowell and have him DH and get rid of Papi? At least Lowell can still produce the numbers and won't strikeout all of the time.

The Sox don't absolutely need Gonzalez, but of course he'd be nice to have. It's all about not being too greedy, which is better known as being the New York Yankees.