Hot Stove Flashes

Although it's very early in the game to predict what will happen in the crazy world of free agency, I have some very definite thoughts about what I'd like to see the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox do in the market this winter.

I think their first priority in the market should be to sign Carl Pavano. At 28, they would be adding a pitcher in his prime who hopefully one day would assume the role of staff ace from his mentor, Curt Schilling. I think this is their most important move to make in free agency. This is the one guy I'd keep away from the Yankees. There is much upside with Pavano and I feel confident the Sox will get a deal done.

As for Pedro Martinez, I'm not sure what will happen. I think the only way he returns to Boston will be on management's terms. He is not going to be another Roger Clemens and last until he is 42 years old. Why not? Because Clemens, like Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver before him, uses leg drive to derive all his pitching power. This is something Pedro does not do and never will do because of his slight frame. If he is to continue his career successfully he will have to adapt his pitching style to a style similar to Greg Maddux —one built on craftiness and not sheer power. I just don't think the Red Sox will miss him terribly if he leaves. But I don't think the Yankees will be his destination. There's too much bad blood in that clubhouse toward Martinez. I don't care about the papers saying Posada and others would accept him if he chose to sign there. That's baloney. But, then again, he would just be another addition to a clubhouse filled with headaches courtesy of George M. Steinbrenner. I think if Pedro leaves, he will join his buddies Bartolo Colon and Vladimir Guerrero in Anaheim. If that happens I say good luck, thank you and enjoy playing with baseball's most exciting player (Guerrero).

I think Jason Varitek will stay in Boston despite his agent, Scott Boras. I think Varitek realizes this is his team and that if he leaves he could end up as another Mo Vaughn — extremely rich, but totally out of place on his new team. In the end I think the extra money won't be enough to lure him away from the captaincy in Boston. But hey, who knows? It's only November 20 and I could end up wrong on all counts. That's why they call it the hot stove.