Front Office Smarts

Isn't it great to follow a baseball team whose front office doesn't make you want to bang your head against a wall every other day?

The Epstein Era is unique in Red Sox history -- not only for the 2004 World Series championship -- but for a remarkable string of decisions that are intelligent, are not made in haste or panic, and address both the present as well as the future of the team.

In that regard, the Coco Crisp extension -- 3 years/$15.5 million -- has the potential to be a real steal. Crisp will be paid $2.75 this year, $3.5 in 2007, $4.75 in 2008 and $5.75 in 2009. The Red Sox have an $8 option for 2010, with a $500,000 buyout. It may not end up being an Ortizian bargain, but it could work out extremely well for the Sox.

Even though Crisp signed a one-year deal in January, both he and the Red Sox were discussing a long-term contract right away. They had completed talks just before Opening Day, but wanted to break the news after announcing the Ortiz extension on Monday.

Theo: "We've made a concerted effort to reach agreement with players who we feel are on the upswing." ... Coco: "When I grew up, I always wanted to play for the Red Sox." (Really? Not sure if I've heard that before.)

To make room for Wells on the roster, David Riske was put on the 15-day DL (lower back strain). ... Julian Tavarez is eligible to pitch as of tonight. Francona: "He's a nice bridge at times. He can get righties out. ... He brings a lot of positives. If we can just keep him from slugging guys."