Theo and the Red Sox 2010 troika

Last year, the Evil Empire made three key acquisitions that led to you-know-what. C.C. Sabathia, A. J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira were the critical "X" factors that improved New York enough to make a serious run at a title.

In 2010, the Red Sox will need to make a similar splash in the off-season to have a chance to claim their third championship of the "aughts" and become the predominant team of the decade. It appears from early signs that Theo Epstein is willing to spend up to the luxury tax limit ($170 million) to beat back the Pinstripe Posers in the Bronx.

The 2010 Boston Troika may be  just as impressive as the Empire's.  Let's start with Adrian Gonzalez—the power-hitting young first-baseman from San Diego. Add in Jason Bay and/or Matt Holliday in left. Since King Felix seems ensconced in Seattle, how about Roy Halladay—the perennial Cy Young contender from Toronto? (As a side note,  let's hope it's Bay in left field—I can only imagine Boston fans trying to correctly pronounce and spell both Halladay and Holliday—yikes!).

This bold approach would mean that either Mike Lowell or Big Papi would need to be shipped out—either one a tough pill to swallow for fans. It would also mean moving Youk to third for good. But if we've learned anything,  it's that Theo is not afraid to make controversial moves. It would also mean that we'd have to live with either Jed Lowrie or a re-signed Alex Gonzalez at short—not the end of the world in the powerful line-up these moves would produce.

So, look for big changes in your Olde Towne Team—and soon.