Well, this offseason the Florida Marlins supposedly committed to rebuild around Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. In order to make the team attractive for sale or relocation, they trimmed the payroll down to about $15 million. $15 million. On the Red Sox alone, Manny makes more than that in one year, and Curt Schilling and David Ortiz (next year) come really close. Heck, half of the Yankees' roster makes that in one year. And now, it's rumored that the Marlins are looking to trade Dontrelle Willis. The hard-throwing southpaw could make an estimated $7 million next year through arbitration, so the money-conscious Marlins may be looking to move him by this year's non-waiver trade deadline.

Needless to say, either one of these guys would be an incredible acquisition for any team. Thank God the Yankees don't have to prospects to deal for these guys. But the word around Boston is that the Marlins might be willing to give up lefty Dontrelle Willis (a bona fide Cy Young candidate, BTW) for a package including Jon Lester and recently acquired Wily Mo Pena. The Red Sox have quite a few players they can dangle in addition, including Adam Stern and Dustin Pedroia. Of course, sportswriters everywhere are listing top prospects from every team as trade bait, including Felix Pie of the Cubs and Jarrod Saltalamacchia of the Braves. Willis is even younger than Beckett at 24, and would be under his new team's control for 3 more seasons, making him very attractive to a big market team with prospects to deal.

If Jon Lester is such a sure thing, why should we do this deal? Because:

1. A proven major leaguer is a far better bet than the hottest prospect. Willis has shown he has what it takes to pitch a whole season and with the pressure of being a #1.
2. We will have the salary flexibility to make this move. Because we didn't sign a certain $52 million centerfielder, we can take on a young, proven ace. Also, we expect Schilling, Wakefield and Wells to come off of our payroll in the foreseeable future.
3. He's a great player and a great person. Dontrelle Willis has charisma and likeability, a very nice combination with talent. He could really shine in Boston.
4. We can rename ourselves the Boston Marlins. Willis has played with half of our infield and one of our young pitchers, and this can only help team chemistry.

For a young ace to become available like this during the season is highly unusual, and would easily change the pennant races come August and September. Boston has done pretty well with all the former Marlins so far, why stop now? Can you imagine a rotation that includes Schilling, Beckett, Willis, Wakefield and Clement? And in 2007, add in Jonathan Papelbon. Wow. And if you think I'm raving now about Dontrelle Willis, don't even get me started on Miguel Cabrera.