The massive trade just pulled off by Boston Red Sox management is a sign to all of Major League Baseball and their fans that this team is in transition.

In just about 24 hours, Magic Johnson somehow became more popular in Boston than Larry Bird.

Fans rejoiced, celebrations were had, grown men were brought to tears. The team shed some $250 million off its payroll, unloading Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and, the tipping point, Nick Punto to the L.A. Dodgers.

Sound the alarms, a fire sale may be in place.

That can be a very good thing for this franchise that has been tasting the venom of the fanbase for the entirety of the 2012 season. While there is no hope for postseason play in Boston this year, the franchise has restored hope and faith in the organization once again.

The next step now is to continue growing and developing the farm system, more so the prospects they’ve just acquired from Los Angeles. In the interim, the Red Sox will need to make some moves in the winter. If you think this slideshow is going to call for a Josh Hamilton type of signing, you’ll be more disappointed than Peter Griffin at an O’Doul’s brewery. 

Here are five realistic signings the Red Sox should make with their newly inflated purse.

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