As Red Sox fans know, this season has been, for lack of a better word, a disappointment. A huge disappointment. From upper management to coaches to the players, the Sox need some major shakeups and I have some ideas that maybe Mr. Lucchino should listen to.

1. Fire Bobby Valentine and bring in a player's manager

The hiring of Bobby V to run the Sox was mixed. Some people thought it was a good move to bring in a disciplinarian, while some thought Bobby V's track record was less than stellar to run a franchise of this caliber. The fact is this: Bobby V has been a HUGE failure in Boston and it is time for a change. The Sox should take a look at former Astros manager Brad Mills who was Terry Francona's right hand man and was a much liked figure in Boston. Another person to take a look at is the Rays' bench coach Dave Martinez, who has helped Joe Maddon turn a once hapless Rays organization into a playoff contender. Martinez is also a young coach who can better relate to an increasing younger Red Sox team.

2. The ownership group needs to focus on Red Sox and not Liverpool

John Henry and company has seemlingly been less and less involved with the team since its acquisition of Liverpool FC in 2010. Liverpool has the same problems the Sox have, both have overppaid for players and both teams have underachieved. The owners need to figure out which team they need to focus more on or both the Red Sox and Liverpool FC will continue to fail.

3. Sign Melky Cabrera

This may seem like a risky move, but the Red Sox should take a look at suspended outfielder Melky Cabrera. I still believe he is a talented player and he wouldn't command as much money as he would have before the suspension. Ryan Kalish is not the long term solution for the Sox and Cabrera's signing would be a low risk, high reward, something the Red Sox have had success in the past.

4. Ignore the temptation to sign Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke would be a great pickup for the Sox and their much maligned pitching staff, but Cherington shouldn't take the bait. Greinke is going to be commanding top dollar and rightfully so, but, after the money the Sox freed up, they shouldn't waste all of it on one player. Instead the Sox should sign solid middle of the road veterans who can mesh well with the younger Sox players.

5. Re-sign Cody Ross

The 2012 season wasn't entirely bad. We discovered that Cody Ross can be a great player in Boston. Ross has been the MVP on an otherwise infelicitous Red Sox team. He has hit .270, 21 dingers, and driven in 77 runs and has certainly put a disconcerting 2011 season behind him. Outside of Josh Hamilton, there really isn't much better on the free agent market, so you might as well keep a player that has performed very well for you.