What could have been in Boston

Even with the Boston Red Sox's terrific start to the 2003 season, one can not help but wonder what might have been if some of the players Boston has dealt over the last dozen years were still playing with the Sox.

During that time, Boston has dealt away such stars as Jeff Bagwell, David Eckstein and Roger Clemens.

Here is a look back at the five top players Boston has let go in the last dozen years and how each player could be contributing to this year's ball-club.

1B Jeff Bagwell: Traded to Houston in 1990 for RP Larry Andersen.

Though only a minor league prospect when he was traded, the shipping of Jeff Bagwell to Houston in 1990 has gone down in history as one of the worst trades in Red Sox history. Bagwell, a draft pick of Boston's in 1989, was traded for relief pitcher Larry Andersen in a pennant drive. Andersen lasted all of that summer in Boston and failed miserably in the post-season. Bagwell has gone on to hit 380 career home runs, gain four All-Star selections and win the 1994 MVP award. The Sox would love to have Bagwell back patrolling 1st Base at Fenway Park. Bagwell would have filled a huge void at the position for the last dozen years.

1B Mo Vaughn: Let Go as Free Agent to Anaheim in 1999.

Mo Vaughn, a fan favorite during his tenure with Boston, was allowed to leave as a free agent in 1999. Vaughn, a two-time All-Star and the AL MVP in 1995, held down first base during the mid 1990's and was an offensive force. Although he has struggled since tearing his bicep in 2001, if he had stayed with the Sox, his career path may have been much more productive.

SS David Eckstein: Claimed off Waivers by Anaheim in 2001.

The waiving of Eckstein may go down as one of the biggest over-sights in Red Sox history. Eckstein sparkled in the Boston minor league system for several seasons, but was seen as too small for a major league job. Even with good minor league numbers, the General Manager at the time Dan Duquette did not believe Eckstein could make a serious contribution at major-league level and was waived when he was out of options. The Angels, who would make him their starting shortstop, picked up Eckstein. He went on to be the spark-plug in 2002 when Anaheim won the World Series. If Eckstein was still in Boston he would be a terrific fit at second base and at the top of the order hitting in front of Johnny Damon.

SP Toma Okha: Traded to Montreal for RP Ugueth Urbina in 2001.

At the time he was dealt, Okha was one of the prime prospects in the Red Sox Farm System. Okha was Boston's minor league player of the year in 1999 and threw a perfect game in 2000. The Sox probably had a pretty good idea how good of a pitcher Okha would turn out to be, but were forced to deal him in order to obtain closer Ugueth Urbina. Last season, Okha was 13-8 with a 3.18 era, one of the best performances in the NL. If Okha was still in Boston he would be a welcome addition to the rotation complementing Tim Wakefield and Casey Fossum at the back-end.

SP Roger Clemens: Let go as a Free Agent to Toronto in 1997.

Once the favorite son of New England, Clemens is now public enemy No. 1. After having pitched over a decade with Boston, Clemens was referred to as "Over the Hill" by Duquette, and let go to Toronto. Clemens was revitalized in Toronto winning back-to-back Cy Young awards before bolting to the hated Yankees. Now, instead of joining with Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe to form one of the top pitching trios in baseball, Clemens pitches with the goal of burying his former club in the standings. While he was with the Sox, Clemens won four Cy Young awards and an MVP award. Now, thanks to Duquette's blunder Clemens will waltz into Cooperstown in pinstripes.