Punto joins Red Sox as club bolsters bench

redsox.com:  BOSTON -- The Red Sox, suddenly busy after a quiet couple of weeks, bolstered their bench by agreeing to terms with utility infielder Nick Punto on a two-year, $3 million contract that is pending a physical, a source confirmed.
CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman was first to report that Boston had reached an agreement with Punto, who is fresh off winning the World Series as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The addition of Punto is the third move made by Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington in the last two days. On Tuesday, he signed catcher Kelly Shoppach to a one-year deal. And hours before closing the deal with Punto, the Red Sox traded Jed Lowrie and pitching prospect Kyle Weiland to the Astros for righty reliever Mark Melancon.

Jasper's thoughts: I think that Punto is a GREAT addition to the Red Sox bench, and will provide a bat as a pinch hitter if they need him to.

Sox swap Lowrie for Astros reliever Melancon

redsox.com:  BOSTON -- The Red Sox added a potential closer candidate to their roster on Wednesday, dealing the oft-injured Jed Lowrie and pitching prospect Kyle Weiland to the Astros for right-hander Mark Melancon.
Melancon was installed as the Astros' closer in May, converting 20 of his 25 save opportunities and posting a 2.78 ERA over 74 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox have had a closer vacancy since Nov. 11, when Jonathan Papelbon agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Phillies. Though Daniel Bard could emerge as a candidate at closer, the plan for Spring Training is to see if he can make the starting rotation.

Jasper's thoughts:  Last year with the Astros, Melancon had a 2.78 ERA.  I believe that Melancon could be a strong reliever/closer for the Red Sox, and I support the move.

Red Sox, Kelly Shoppach agree

ESPNBoston.com

The Boston Red Sox have reached agreement on a one-year major league contract with free-agent catcher Kelly Shoppach, almost certainly ending team captain Jason Varitek's 15-year career in Boston. A source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick the 31-year-old Shoppach will make a base salary of $1.35 million, plus performance bonuses.

The Red Sox announced the signing Tuesday night.

For the soon-to-be-40-year-old Varitek, the Shoppach deal should make official what Ben Cherington hinted at the winter meetings last week: that the catcher's tenure in Boston was over. His 15 years, 1,488 games and 190 homers at the position are the most in team history.

Jasper's thoughts: I think that the Red Sox should have invested their money in a yonger prospect.