It is so advantageous to be in control, to deal from a position of strength.
There's no gun to your head to do something that doesn't make financial sense. Even if you're the Red Sox, who have more resources than any team other than the Yankees, you want to make sure that you're not getting snookered. You want to make certain you're making the right deal.
So far this offseason, Theo Epstein is 2 for 2.
The general manager signed Curt Schilling to a one-year, $8 million deal. He threw in innings-pitched incentives to protect the team in case Schilling breaks down. He gave in to Schilling's weight clause, which could earn him an additional $2 million. Epstein was more than willing to go along with anything that promoted the concept of Schilling being in good shape when he arrives to Fort Myers and staying in shape throughout the season.
Yesterday, as the sides hashed out language issues, third baseman Mike Lowell agreed to terms on a three-year, $37.5 million deal. Pretty good for the Red Sox. Epstein read the market perfectly. He knew there'd be a limited four-year market, and even if the Phillies were willing to offer four years at $50 million, he knew Lowell wanted to stay in Boston.
Why leave and have to get used to a new city and new teammates when you could just stay put in a city where you are a hero after being the World Series MVP? The Red Sox knew that factor would be pulling at Lowell's heartstrings, and in the end they banked on the notion that there was no need for them to move to a fourth year.
Dealing from strength allows you to be aggressive in your reads. Epstein knew Schilling also wanted to stay in Boston.
But in both cases, Epstein seemed prepared to move forward with another plan.
That's why he put a deadline on the Lowell talks. It was originally last Friday, but because Lowell and his family were taking part in the Magic Kingdom parade, the extension was granted. The Sox put Lowell in a position where he had to make a decision. If he wanted to pursue the Phillies' four-year possibility, he'd have to take the chance on whether the Sox' offer would still be there if he changed his mind.
If Schilling had not agreed to stay, the Sox were prepared to replace him with a veteran pitcher in the market or make a deal. If Lowell had opted out, the Sox were prepared to pursue a number of different fronts, one of which might have included Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera, nine years Lowell's junior and on his way to becoming a superstar.
They were also prepared to move Kevin Youkilis to third base and pursue a first baseman - anyone from San Diego's Adrian Gonzalez to Oakland's Dan Johnson. Epstein believes that moving on is not a bad thing. The Sox are an organization that doesn't mind losing star players if they can receive draft picks in return. In other words, they trust their scouting department to find alternatives. They won't always pick the right young guy, but lately, choosing Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Jacoby Ellsbury has worked out pretty well.
Losing Lowell wouldn't have been the worst thing, which is why the Sox never were fretting over it. While it's in the back of their minds that Lowell likely has peaked, at the very least, he should continue to be an excellent Fenway Park hitter. He's also a role model, and a conduit between the Latin players and English-speaking players. Lowell is bilingual, and that is tremendously important in communicating with his teammates. His leadership ability is off the charts.
Last offseason, Epstein did not deal from such a strong position. Having missed the playoffs, the Sox needed to do some dramatic things to improve the roster.
Epstein had to replace an aging and injured Trot Nixon, so he overpaid for J.D. Drew at five years and $70 million. Drew had a good September and postseason, and if he picks up where he left off, perhaps the outlay will wind up being closer to market value.
Epstein also gave Julio Lugo four years at $36 million, probably too much given his production. But the feeling is that Lugo flashed enough offense and performed at a higher level in the field than expected, thanks in part to Luis Alicea's superb coaching.
The GM also paid huge dollars in the posting fee for Daisuke Matsuzaka, but then he won the negotiating battle with Scott Boras, who settled for a fair six-year, $52 million deal. Matsuzaka, 27, produced 15 wins and appears to be on his way to becoming a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Where does Epstein go from here?
You can bet he'll consider the many inquiries he's had on Coco Crisp, who could be a major chip in a bigger deal. You can be certain Epstein already has explored the parameters of acquiring Johan Santana from the Twins, and if Billy Beane decides that Oakland should rebuild, Epstein likely will be in on righthander Dan Haren.
Beyond that, Epstein might explore another power arm in the bullpen to go along with Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, and Manny Delcarmen. Kerry Wood is one of the more intriguing names out there.
He'll also try to configure his bench, which means making a decision on Bobby Kielty, who can be a decent extra outfielder and someone who can hit lefthanded pitching. He'll be on the lookout for a backup catcher who could also be a catcher of the future. While Epstein believes Jason Varitek has a few years left, and that George Kottaras, Dusty Brown, and Mark Wagner could be catchers of the future, he is, again, in a position of strength. He always could use Crisp and someone else to land a catching prospect or someone such as Texas's Gerald Laird.
By the winter meetings in two weeks, who knows whether Manny Ramírez's name will be making the rounds again?
Epstein is also in position to begin tying up his young veterans to longer deals. The arbitration-eligible Youkilis could be first in line, followed by Papelbon.
So far, the Yankees have been keeping their guys - AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, catcher Jorge Posada, and closer Mariano Rivera - and the Sox have kept theirs. The Yankees, though, have paid far more for their aging free agents. But that's a reflection, too, of where the teams are.
Boston is dealing from strength. The Yankees are proceeding from a bit of desperation.
Epstein likes his view better.
Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com
