I can't remember a better off-season haul for the Boston Red Sox then the one they are currently dominating.
After inking Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, Theo Epstein has addressed their final big need: help for their terrible bullpen.
Once again, Theo and the minions came through, signing former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks and former Rays set-up man Dan Wheeler.
Jenks was signed to a two-year deal, worth $12 million on Thursday and yesterday, Wheeler (a Warwick, RI native) signed a one-year deal with a team option for 2012.
The best parts about these deals is that they're low risk (less than three years) and pretty minor money for some legitimate guys that are not coming off major injuries.
If you watched the Red Sox last season, you know that closer Jonathan Papelbon had a miserable year and you have to be worried about how he'll bounce back this season. Thankfully, Boston has not only Daniel Bard but now Jenks (27+ saves every season since 2006) to throw in the mix.
It's clear that the Red Sox are probably going to dump Papelbon after this season since some team will overpay him when he's obviously on the downslope of his career. The life of a top-notch closer is a short one unless you're not human (looking at you Mariano Rivera).
The thinking with Wheeler is that he'll be a sixth or seventh inning guy. Now all the Red Sox need is a decent veteran lefty and I'd say they're set (although a better catcher would also be nice) for what should be a fascinating 2011 season.
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