After a couple of impressive transfers that began immediately after the regular season ended, the Red Sox’s acquisition campaign looked like relapsing. One question that was on the lips of every baseball fan was whether Boston will be signing Jacoby Ellsbury or not. The decision was more difficult than it appeared to be, because while the outfielder is an iconic player for this team, he spent most of 2011 sidelined. Injuries have been plaguing Ellsbury in the previous years as well, but the last season was the worst one and it looked like the Red Sox were unwilling to pay his salary another season.

This is exactly what eventually happened, with Boston taking the safe road and only signing a one-year contract worth $9 million. He made 1 million less in 2011, but for a player who was on the bench for the entire first half of the season except for 13 days in April, it was not a bad deal at all. He did a great job when he returned in the rotation in July 13 and this is perhaps the reason for why the Red Sox chose to give him another chance. Despite their impressive budget for transfers, Boston needs to make the right choices because another meltdown similar to the one in 2012 can’t happen.

Among the other players that the Red Sox have signed these months, it is worth mentioning Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Andrew Mueller, Franklin Morales and John Hanrahan. Craig Breslow is still eligible for salary arbitration but although he is without a deal right now, rumors give him as the next signing for Boston. With these new players and a new manager replacing Bobby Valentine, the Red Sox need to achieve a playoffs berth in 2013 if they are to appease both the management and the fans.