I don't know how worried the Sox are about their core rotation; I think these moves reflect their strategy in recent years. The Sox have tended to accumulate lots of veteran arms in the offseason, as a way to add depth, and in hopes that a couple of them can make some contribution to the effort. That said, the Sox certainly do have some concerns with rotation depth.

Two other observations: How far has Bartolo Colon fallen, that he is now less of a sure thing than Jason Marquis? And if Marquis is the best return on a Crisp trade that the Sox can get, it shows that Coco doesn't have much value on the market.

If all the Sox have to show for Crisp is Marquis and a middling prospect, Boston fans would riot, I'd think...

What does Crisp provide that Pie doesn't? I don't see why we would need him. The weak spot is at second base. Derosa can play all 4 infield positions and the two corner oufield positions well, so get a guy to play 2b and let Derosa play sub. Something always happens...he'll get his 300-400 AB.

I agree with Yamen - if the Sox were going to give away Crisp they didn't have to wait until Maarquis was available

According to MLB4U Jason Marquis is making salaries of $4.75M in 2007, $6.375M in 2008 and $9.875M in 2009- + 2006 salary: $5.15M, 2005: $3M (+ $50K in bonuses for 200 and 205IP). Why would the Sox add his salary to make him at best their #5 starter while holding onto Tavarez. Coco is making around $5 million a year so it isn't a salary dump and I am still unconvinced that Jacoby is your starting CF. I bet Crisp plays the opening months and then begins to share time similar to the Cora/Pedroia platooning last year.

Cora and Pedroia didn't platoon last year =- Pedroia was the starter coming out of training camp and was benched because he hit .180 over like the first 6 weeks. Ellsbury is going to start - the problem with Crisp is he can't get on base at the top of the order.

Since when has ANY team playing in Fenway NOT had to rely on offense?

This may not be a reaction to being unprepared. It could actually be smart, as they waited out the market for middling pitchers (remember when Kyle Lohse was looking for $10MM per year? Prices have come down a lot). I'm a Yankee fan, so I hate to ever give the Sox credit, but acquiring a guy like Marquis, taking a chance on Colon, looking at Freddy Garcia, accomplishes a couple of things (in addition to allowing them to wait out the market):

1. gives the Sox some arms so they don't stretch the kids like Lester and Buchholz too much

2. gives them disposable arms. Stretch Marquis out if he pitches well. Use him in middle relief in a blowout. He's an arm you don't have to worry about preserving. I know it sounds harsh, but that's where his value is at this stage of his career and given the economics of putting together a strong pitching rotation (pay top-dollar at the high-end, depend some, but not too much, on promising pre-arbitration arms, and fill the holes/ spot starts with league average pitchers).