As the weather starts to slowly warm up and the crisp winter air morphs into a faint smell of spring, I can’t help but daydream about the impending rollercoaster ride that the Sox are destined to take me on in 2008.

They are undoubtedly a nasty team, and it’s only the first leg of the 162-game marathon, but I am truly irked about the way the staff has been throwing. I mean, if you aren’t, you’re nuts. They have combined to allow a grand total of 36 runs over five of their last six contests. The supernatural arms of the “kids” have been so-so at best and the bullpen is starting to resemble a backyard barbecue wiffle ball pitching performance by an overly intoxicated family member. Worried? Yes! Distraught? Not yet.

I live and breathe sports in this town and I remember far worse starts by this team. It’s just watching the guys that were supposed to be included in the acquisition of newly anointed New York Mets ace Johan Santana throw and not succeed that bothers me. Not to mention, Jacoby Ellsbury has been reduced to a part-time player and he’s not happy, you can see it in his face.

So yeah, “maybe someday” these kids will be elite. But when you have a chance to trade for the best pitcher in the game, pull the dang trigger. Nothing held the Sox back when they acquired Pedro, Schilling or Beckett. What the heck stopped them this time? Plus, if we did trade those guys and they became awesome, Minnesota most likely wouldn’t be able to retain their services anyways and the Sox could sign them again.

This is my take, yeah I am a fan and what you see here is a fan ranting. Sometimes I’m glad that the Sox didn’t trade the kids, but when I here Johan’s name, I will never ever forget the possibilities that are now dust in the wind. Don’t forget folks, Santana is only 29.

So, as Jon Lester was reduced to a 1-2 record with a 4.50 ERA against the Tigers on Wednesday, I wonder. I wonder what the partially benched Ellsbury, who has a .176 average in 17 at-bats, will do in the future. I wonder about Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson and Coco Crisp. One thing I do know is that Santana is 1-1 with 11 strikeouts, two walks and a 1.93 ERA. His career ERA is 3.20 and he has notched 235 or more strikeouts a year over his last four campaigns. Oh, what would have been!

Living in the past is the downfall of a man. So, going that route is out of the question. But you can’t blame me for thinking as I type. So, with a glass of water in hand, I grant a toast to the future of the kids. I just hope we don’t see Johan in the World Series.