I heard from a good source that the trainers had Ells spend alot of time this offseason in strengthening his wrists, which would theoretically provide more pop, help him battle inside pitches without loss of power, and save his wrist from damage as he dives for the ball. Could this account for those two HR? Is this a glimpse of his future? As the article says, he mashes the ball in BP but has yet to carry this into games. Could spending time in Fenway's tiny LF not only save his legs for the basepaths, but conserve his potential to hit with power? Could, as he enters his maturity, all this come together to create a faster, more powerful athlete in all phases of the game?

Ells already shows power, and uses speed to enhance that power. In terms of doubles & triples in 2009, Youk had 37 (36/1), Victor & Papi had 36 (35/1), the quicker JD had 34 (30/4), J.Bay had 32 (29/3), and in limited AB's Mike had 30 (29/1) & Tek had 24 (24 doubles). Ellsbury's speed created an anomaly with 37 (27/10), so Ells clearly stacks up in this XBH output with all the Sox power hitters. I agree that it is likely for a mature Ells, without swinging for the fences, to hit 10-20HR. Theo should consider extending him now like Youk, Pedey, Lester.

Under the radar here is the greatest anomaly of all, Dustin Pedrois, with 49 (48/1) who is also maturing, growing in strength and experience, and shoulc become a 20/20 guy this season if a few of those doubles go over the monster. Just as aspects of Ells' game will improve with lighter duty in LF, It is also reasonable that consistently surrounded by Beltre, Scutaro, and Youk @ 1b, Pedey's job just became a little easier and less demanding, which could also translate into an even stronger offense. We might be surprised where the offense comes from this year.

i think if you have known commodities like a beckett you sign him so long as it doesn't hamstring your payroll flexibility so badly that you can't do anything else.

It is probable that neither Kelly nor Pimentel, Doubront, Tazawa nor Bowden will, if they even make it to Fenway, be as valuable as Beckett in the next several years. The only real FA option as good as Lackey next offseason will be Lee . . . If the M's let him loose. Josh Beckett is the most likely sure thing, he's ours, we know what he can do, he is the ACE and the leader of that rotation who could deliver 90-100W through 2014. The only risk is health, and that kind of surprise is true for every pitcher. So, IMHO, sign him for some version of 5/$85.