Now this makes not getting Santana even worse. I was always for Santana coming to Boston, no matter who had to go to get him. This is one reason why I was for the deal. Schill had only one more year, and we would have had another great pitcher on the mound for us, now look what's happened. And people were worried about losing Ellsbury? Has anyone changed their minds now? Big mistake Theo for not jumping on the Santana bandwagon.

Beyond Clay Bucholz, the Sox have Julian Tavares, who pitched effectively last year in what would be a very similar role, this time waiting on Schilling instead of Lester. They also have Devern Hansack (remember him?) and Kyle Snyder. Also, many suspected that highly touted Justin Masterson would at some point this year be called up out of the bullpen, but he's always been a starter, and perhaps there could be a place for him.

Gail - I disagree. All the more reason to bank on the young arms of Bucholz et al. I'm not convinced that Santana isn't anohter show pony that needs to be treated tenderly, a la Pedro. Meanwhile, Shill gets to mentor the youngsters, which was always a plus for keeping him around one more year

Trade Lugo, Crisp, Masterson and a truck of money to San Diego for Peavy and Greene.

Trade Lugo, Crisp, Masterson and a truck of money to San Diego for Peavy and Greene.

What was Santana's record at Fenway over the last few years? How many lefties have changed their style of pitching when in the shadow of the Wall? Ellsbury will be stealing bases, making great plays, and sparking the lineup for years after Santana is no longer an elite starter.

The only negative of losing Schill for possibly the year would be the post season experience and heart he brings. He was 9-8 last year with a near 4 ERA, all while missing 2 months of the season. A healthy Lester, and a hungry Buchholtz will fill in the backend of the rotation nicely after God*, Dice and Wake.

Are Bartolo Colon or Livian Hernandez still out there?

Hi Amalie. Love your video. But calling Shill a "5th starter, maybe a 4th starter?" Ouch. Didn't Shill have a 3.34 ERA after returning to the rotation in August until the end of the year? And then go 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in the post season? Those are easily number 2 starter stats.

This was Schillings last year anyway and Bucholz is ready and will pitch like a number two starter whereas Schilling at best was a three or a four. Schill should have retired at the end of 2007, the timing would have been perfect. Bucholz is ready to shine

tell me this doesn't mean he'll have more time to write more of his verbal diarrhea on his site... the rotation can take it, i'm not worried

Gail, congratulations. Your hindsight is still 20/20

Think long term. Lester and Bucholtz will pick up the slack. The Santana deal was never really in the cards for the Red Sox and a good thing too. Schilling wasn't going to win more than 10 games this year. The youngsters will handle it you'll see. The price in prospects was too high for the Santana deal to work. The Red Sox get to keep Lester and Ellsbury. Stars of the future.

Hello, I was for Santana all the way but no use in hind sighting now ... Buch needs at least a couple of months, maybe more, with pawsox... So an experienced pitcher is needed badly... Another decent year from Wake would be a lotto prize... Forget Colon, have seen him in DR winter league.. idem Tavarez....Both AWFUL.... Sox facing a huge gap between Beckett and Dice K on one side and the rest on the other court... A surprising Lester could be very helpful but it is a fragile hope... A trade is only reasonable solution... Go Theo

Hello, I was for Santana all the way but no use in hind sighting now ... Buch needs at least a couple of months, maybe more, with pawsox... So an experienced pitcher is needed badly... Another decent year from Wake would be a lotto prize... Forget Colon, have seen him in DR winter league.. idem Tavarez....Both AWFUL.... Sox facing a huge gap between Beckett and Dice K on one side and the rest on the other court... A surprising Lester could be very helpful but it is a fragile hope... A trade is only reasonable solution... Go Theo

not at all concerned, in fact, a blessing in disguise....the kids (Lester, Bucholtz, etc.) ,get to pitch more, get more experience early on, and be in the flow of the rotation by the second half of the season. Besides, do you really think their numbers will be that much worse, if at all worse, than Schilling's over thew course of the year?
and oh yeah, we get to keep Ellsbury.
They're fine.

Bring back Louie Tiant!

Devern Hansack was traded...Did he return when i wasn't looking?

No Santana deal--good. The Sox have Lester, Bucholz and Ellsbury. Ellsbury will win far more games for the Sox than Santana would have won. Schilling is a fantastic mentor and teacher. Even if he cannot pitch for a good portion of the season, the younger pitchers will learn incalcuable lessons from him. The Red Sox are in fantastic shape.

No Santana deal--good. The Sox have Lester, Bucholz and Ellsbury. Ellsbury will win far more games for the Sox than Santana would have won. Schilling is a fantastic mentor and teacher. Even if he cannot pitch for a good portion of the season, the younger pitchers will learn incalcuable lessons from him. The Red Sox are in fantastic shape.