The Red Sox completed their Christmas shopping with the signing of new captain Jason Varitek to a four-year $40 million contract. This followed the losses of Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Orlando Cabrera and Dave Roberts and the acquisition of David Wells, Matt Clement, Edgar Renteria and Jay Payton. The important question is: are the Red Sox stronger or weaker than they were last season? Here are some numbers:

Martinez/Lowe vs Wells/Clement:

Starting Pitchers (2004)
	W-L	ERA	IP	K/BB Ratio
Pedro/Lowe	30-21	4.59	400	2.5
Wells/Clement	21-21	3.70	377	3.0
Starting Pitchers (2002-04 Averages)
	W-L	ERA	IP	K/BB Ratio
Pedro/Lowe	34-15	3.46	403	3.0
Wells/Clement	27-19	3.84	401	2.8

Based on the 2004 numbers, the Wells/Clement combination is big improvement for the Red Sox. Lowe and Martinez won nine more games last season, but that is largely a result of the Red Sox powerful offense (certainly in Lowe's case). The Wells/Clement combo had an ERA nearly a run better than Pedro/Lowe and an extra 0.5 strikeout per walk surrendered. When we examine the three year averages Martinez and Lowe have the edge, but not by a whole lot despite the fact that Lowe's 2002 aberration is included. There is also the fact that Martinez will cost the Mets nearly as much as Wells and Clement combined, even if Wells meets all of his incentives.

Cabrera vs Renteria:

Shortstops (2004)
	AVG	HR	RBI	Runs	Walks	On Base Pct	Slugging Pct
Cabrera	.264	10	62	74	39	.306	.383
Renteria	.287	10	72	84	39	.327	.401
Shortstops (2002-04 Averages)
	AVG	HR	RBI	Runs	Walks	On Base Pct	Slugging Pct
Cabrera	.275	11	66	78	46	.325	.408
Renteria	.308	11	85	86	51	.362	.440

Edgar Renteria will end up costing the Red Sox $2 million more per year than Orlando Cabrera will cost the Angels. Based on the numbers above, that $2 million difference is just about right. The 2004 and 2002-2004 average both show that Renteria has a little more pop in his bat than Cabrera. Renteria's batting average was 23 points higher in 2004 and 33 points higher over the three year period. Renteria is also good for another 10 runs and 20 or so RBIs per season. I suppose that's worth about two million bucks per year. Defensively, the two players are very comparable. Renteria made four fewer errors last season and had very slight advantages in fielding percentage (.983 and .978) and in "Range Factor" and "Zone Rating" as calculated by Stats, Inc.

The Red Sox also added pitchers John Halama (7-6, 4.70), Matt Mantei (5-4, 2.62, 29 saves in 2003) and Wade Miller (7-7, 3.35). Both Miller and Mantei battled arm injuries in 2003. Playoff hero Dave Roberts was traded to the Padres for Jay Payton (.260, 8 HR, 55 RBI) and a couple of other players.

In my humble opinion, the Red Sox roster is slightly better with the changes. This, of course, assumes that the team remains relatively healthy. If David Wells is healthy enough to make 25-30 starts, the Sox should have a better rotation in 2005. Pedro Martinez is still a great pitcher, but each season he's a little less effective than the season before. Derek Lowe was sensational in the playoffs but that doesn't erase his terrible 2004 regular season and mediocre 2003 season. If Wade Miller returns to his pre-injury form, the Sox will be even better. The setup/closer situation will remain the same and Matt Mantei could be a huge addition if he's healthy. The Red Sox lineup will have only one change (Renteria) and that change will actually improve one of the best lineups in baseball history.

The problem, of course, is that the Yankees are definitely better. The Yankees have already shelled out $33 million per year for starting pitchers and they have their eyes on Carlos Beltran, the prize of the 2005 free agent class. The Yankee mottos remain the same: if at first you don't succeed, buy, buy again and if you can't beat 'em, outspend 'em.

I am so happy that Theo Epstein decided to hold onto Bronson Arroyo and Kevin Youkilis. Unlike the Yankees, the Red Sox do not have unlimited funds so it is important that they develop a few young (aka inexpensive) players that can contribute on a regular basis. Youklis should be ready to take over third base full time in 2006 and Arroyo should have a spot in the Sox rotation for years to come.

Derek Lowe's $12 million per year asking price is probably the most ridiculous contract demand I've ever heard. Lowe foolishly turned down a three year, $27 million contract from the Red Sox last Spring. I wonder who convinced Derek Lowe that back to back seasons with ERAs of 4.47 and 5.42 should get him virtually the same amount of money as Curt Schilling. Lowe won't get his $12 million per year but he will probably get a few million more than he deserves. Baseball owners, despite crying poverty at every turn, continue to shell out big bucks to players that haven't accomplished a whole lot. Here are some examples from this offseason:

• Adrian Beltre was spectacular in 2004 (.334, 48 HR, 121 RBI) but should Seattle really have spent $64 million on a guy who averaged .249 with 22 HR and 78 RBI in his previous two seasons?
• J.D. Drew also had an excellent 2004 season (.305, 31 HR, 93 RBI) but how could the Dodgers give the underachiever a $55 million contact? Drew averaged .271 with 17 HR and 49 RBI in 2002 and 2003.
• Carl Pavano was given $40 million for his 18-8, 3.00 ERA season in 2004. He averaged only 9-12 with an ERA of 4.73 in 2002 and 2003.
• Jaret Wright will be paid $21 million for three years of work with the Yankees (or until they dump him next season) thanks to his 15-8, 3.28 ERA in 2004. Wright has a career ERA of 5.09 and won only 9 games between 2000 and 2003. In 2004, he pitched more than 60 innings for the first time since 1999.
• John Lieber went from the Yankees to the Phillies for the same 3 year / $21 million deal. He missed all of 2003 with arm problems and had an ERA of 4.33 last season.

Most of us knew that Pedro Martinez would follow the money and this time it led directly to the New York Mets. For some inexplicable reason the Mets offered Pedro $54 million over four years (the Sox three year offer was pushing it, but four??). I will always appreciate what Pedro did for the Red Sox and the fans. He will be remembered as one of the ten greatest Red Sox of all time. Sadly, he will also be remembered as one of the greediest, most spoiled players in Red Sox history. Pedro actually had the nerve to criticize the Sox for not offering him a four year contact. To Pedro, the Red Sox "disrespected" him. What they did was "disrespect" him to the tune of $90 million over seven years (including $12.5 million in 2001 when he only gave them only 18 starts). I can understand when a young player negotiating his first blockbuster contract goes for the biggest payoff and the longest contract. This does not apply to Pedro, who has already earned more than $100 million in his career. He took the Mets offer only because of ego and greed. Sadly, that's the type of guy Pedro Martinez is. The Red Sox were smart not to match the Mets offer. In fact, they probably shouldn't have offered him a third year. Pedro's skills are declining as Peter Gammons points out in his December 14th column on ESPN.com.

The Patriots have a bye next weekend but Pats fans will have a team to root for: the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are the only thing standing between the Patriots and Peyton Manning. Normally, I would welcome a matchup with the Colts, a team that the Patriots have owned over the past several years. This year, however, is different because New England's secondary is in such bad shape. Ty Law will probably play in two weeks, but he will be will not be anywhere close to 100% and will not be in game shape. Asante Samuel and Eugene Wilson are banged up and Tyrone Poole is unavailable. Rodney Harrison is the only healthy veteran defensive back. The thought of Peyton Manning going up against a secondary with a receiver at cornerback, a linebacker at safety and another hobbled cornerback sends chills up my spine. I feel very confident about New England's chances against either San Diego or the Jets, two teams that feature the run. New England's front seven is pretty healthy and they dominated the Jets two weeks ago.

It wasn't that long ago that the NFC was the dominant conference in the NFL. How things have changed. Here are some of the playoff teams that the NFC has to offer:

• Atlanta Falcons -- The Falcons, without a doubt, are the worst team ever to get a first round playoff bye. The Falcons finished 11-5, good for the number two seed in the NFC, despite outscoring opponents by a total of only three points this season (they scored a last second TD on Sunday to move into the black). The point differential is even more telling given the fact that Atlanta played the weakest schedule in the NFL this season. Also, six of Atlanta's wins were by four points or less so they were only a few plays from having a losing record.



• Seattle Seahawks -- The Seattle Seahawks are 6-7 and have been outscored by 56 points since September but are division champions and will host a first round playoff game. Seattle lost a game to Dallas despite leading by 10 points with under two minutes left and lost another game in which they led the Rams by 17 points with under six minutes to play. Seattle is 26th in the NFL in total defense. The Seahawks played the second weakest schedule in the NFL.



• St. Louis Rams -- The Rams snuck into the playoffs at 8-8 despite being outscored by a whopping 73 points this season. They have lost five games in a row on the road which is exactly where they will start the playoffs. Had the Rams failed to pull out the overtime win against the Jets, the Saints would have gone to the playoffs. New Orleans ranked dead last in the NFL in total defense.



• Minnesota Vikings -- Thanks to the Saints, the Vikings were able to back into the playoffs. Minnesota lost four of its final five games (and seven of ten) yet made the playoffs because Detroit botched an extra point that would have sent a Week 15 game into overtime. Minnesota's defense was ranked 28th in the league.

Congratulations to Detroit Lions President and CEO Matt Millen. His team won six games this year and actually won a road game for the first time in three years. Detroit's record with Millen in charge now stands at 16-48. The Lions even beat one team, Atlanta, with a winning record. Who knows, under Millen's leadership the Lions might have a chance to win seven games next season. Matt Millen is lucky that the Ford's are very, very patient. If he worked for George Steinbrenner, he would have already been fired three times.

Lastly, I couldn't let the week pass without mentioning the smarmy, spoiled, corrupt, do-nothing idiots at the United Nations. Last week, U.N. weasel Jan Egeland suggested the United States and other Western nations were "stingy" with the tsunami disaster aid and that countries like ours should raise taxes to pay for more humanitarian aid. The braindead Norweigan-born Egeland obviously doesn't understand that some countries actually have to spend tax dollars on national defense. Norway doesn't have to worry about that because they know someone like the United States or England will protect them if they are ever attacked. More importantly, the United States accounts for roughly 50% of the world's humanitarian aid despite being only 5% of the world's population. American citizens, while being taxed to death, are among the most generous in giving private donations for disaster relief. I expect that when it is all said and done, roughly half of the tsunami relief donations - not to mention the contribution of aid workers, military personnel and equipment - will come from the United States. Let's not forget that much of that aid will go to a country where a good percentage of the population was celebrating on September 11th and where Osama Bin Laden t-shirts are the norm. I certainly urge everyone to donate to the relief fund if possible but I would also recommend not donating to any charity where the money flows through the United Nations. The U.N. is more than likely to either (a) take credit for the donations themselves or (b) simply steal the money as they did with Iraq's oil for food program.