$160 mil+ payroll and the Red Sox still have holes

July 31st and the MLB non-waiver trade dead line is fast approaching. So what does the best team in the AL need? A lot. Injuries to the pitching staff has bugged them all year but I believe that takes a back seat to a right handed hitter with some pop, and to kill two birds with one stone, let's make him a right fielder. 

The Sox have roughly spent a combined $22 mil on RF this year between JD Drew and already released Mike Cameron. It's time to cut the cord on Drew now as well. Josh Reddick has done a great job filling in for the injured Carl Crawford (now off the disabled list) in left and playing instead of Drew in right. I like the kid but with  a lefty heavy line up that features Ellsbury, Gonzalez, Ortiz, Crawford, and the supposed starter Drew, he would be better suited as a 4th outfielder. The Sox need to go after a right handed hitter who can replace Drew in right. I like switch hitting Carlos Beltran of the Mets even though he's owed big money for the remainder of the year. I wouldn't mind seeing Ryan Ludwick of the Padres if they pass on Beltran. 

Sox are also in need of another set up man since the Bobby Jenks project hasn't worked out this year. He is currently on the dl for the 3rd time. A Grant Balfour of the A's or a Mike Adams of the Padres would look nice coming in for the seventh inning. If the Twins decide they are sellers, then lefty Glen Perkins could be a nice fit if they are willing to deal him. 

I'm not as worried about the starting pitching as many are. It has been missing some key pieces due to injury but that biggest piece, Jon Lester is just about ready to come off the dl. Clay Buchholz is another story though. As constituted the rotation would look like Beckett, Lester, Lackey (who's had his troubles this season to say the least), Andrew Miller and Tim Wakefield. I would like to see them go after the Mariners Erik Bedard. He is about to come off the dl himself, but he's had a terrific year after some tough times in Seattle. An ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.11 has me believing he'll do fine in the AL East. If they can't get Bedard, I'd be happy with Ryan Dempster or Matt Garza although it seems like the Cubs don't want to part with either. Like I said, I believe starting pitching isn't as great a need as some of the other holes the Sox need to fill. 

The rumor has been the Sox are done spending money this year and will not add payroll. If this is true, it's a huge mistake. You've already spent an enormous amount and they are this close to having a World Series favorite team on the field. What's $10 mil more on top of a ridiculous number if it could be what gets you over the top to be the team that comes out of the AL. Pull the trigger and sign those checks. Let's go!