What "creative" moves can the Red Sox make?

The disappointing ending to the 2009 season for the Red Sox signaled that this is a club in transition. While still very talented, they are fragile and thin in some crucial areas, and some changes are going to need to be made. Here are some possible "big splash" moves that the Red Sox will likely explore this offseason.

1) Trade for Roy Halladay

This was a move that the Red Sox tried to make midseason this year, and J.P. Ricciardi just couldn't pull the trigger on any trade for the ace pitcher. A move this offseason seems likely, with Halladay entering the final year of his contract, and the Jays unlikely to spend the money it will take to keep him. Clay Buchholz would likely still be the centerpiece of a trade, especially with the two-year deal given to Tim Wakefield this week. A rotation of Halladay, Beckett, Lester, Dice-K and Wakefield would give the Red Sox a counter to the formidable lineup of the Yankees, and is even more important if the Red Sox don't get themselves a bat this offseason.

2) Trade for Adrian Gonzalez

The Padres first baseman is a native of the San Diego area, and has an incredibly friendly contract for the next couple of seasons. So why in the world would the Padres trade him? New Padres GM Jed Hoyer comes over from the Red Sox front office, so he is very familiar with the prospects in the Red Sox organization, which is good and bad. Good because his familiarity with them might lead to him wanting to be comfortable with bringing in players he knows, but bad, because he would also know which prospects the Red Sox don't think so highly of, and have been trying to hype up the last few years in order to get something of value for them. I think this will be a difficult trade to make, and would likely empty the Red Sox farm system in order to make happen.

3) Trade for Hanley Ramirez

With Kevin Youkilis, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Victor Martinez and Casey Kotchman all under contract for 2010, the first base/third base/DH/catcher spots are again pretty full. With the uncertainty of Jason Bay's return, the need for another bat in the lineup is well documented. However, there is a lack of good power hitting outfielders on the free agent and trade markets, so with a hole at shortstop, Epstein could choose to get very creative and fill that hole and the need for a bat with former Red Sox prospect Hanley Ramirez, who was sent to the Marlins prior to the 2006 season to obtain Beckett and Lowell. Once again, the price would be very very steep, and there has been speculation that Ramirez might be headed to the outfield at some point.

If they want to contend for a World Series in 2010, the Red Sox are going to need to make some changes this offseason. With few big-name free agents out on the market, and no position prospects seemingly ready to make the jump to the majors full time in 2010, Theo Epstein needs to make something happen via trade. It will be an interesting hot stove season this winter.

Bruce Allen is the creator of Boston Sports Media Watch, which has recently been recognized by SI.com as one of the best non-corporate sports web site's on the Internet