Transaction Analysis

Red Sox sign Frank Castillo for 2 years, $4.5 million

Well, the Red Sox finally cashed in on Plan D, after missing out on Mike Mussina, Denny Neagle, and Andy Ashby.  Realistically, however, this might be the signing that works out the best for this team.  The Sox have led the league in ERA in each of the last two seasons, so overspending on pitching may not have been their smartest option.  In Castillo, they get a low risk investment with a high upside: he threw up a 3.59 ERA last year at SkyDome and is an absolute bargain at $2.25 million a year, especially when compared to what Ashby and Appier were asking the Sox for.

TripleSteal Rating: Triple

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TripleSteal Rating Scale:
Grand Slam - A can't miss move; automatically makes the team considerably better.
Home Run - A great move; will help the team now and down the road.
Triple - A good move; plugs a temporary hole or will help in the future.
Double - An average move; team will get what they paid for.
Single - A head-scratcher; could help, but we definitely don't see how.
Out - A panic move; tells fans "hey, we're trying..."
Double Play - A disaster; will make fans angry just thinking about it.