According to the numbers i have been keeping over the last year, if the Sox bring back Ben Davis, Juan Uribe, Joe Crede, Aaron Rowand, Timo Perez, Joe Borchard (or a minor leage replacment), Ross Gload, Willie Harris, and all their pitchers, the team has ABOUT $$63,000,000 tied up for next season. Now, I havent factored in raises in contracts due to arbitration or experience. Assuming the Sox DONT trade Konerko or Lee, that leaves us about $5 million to sign a SS, Reliever, and Starting Pitcher.
If the Sox are willing to spend $75 million, then we have an extra 5 million to work with. Now, with that being said, the Sox could find a way to back load the contract of a signed player to compensate for not having a lot of money available this year. If the Sox dont trade Konerko, he will be a free agent and so will Carl Everett. THat frees up over $13 million in 2005.