If the Sox were smart, they would use their financial flexibility to their advantage by taking on Robertson's contract and getting a better prospect because of it as part of a Colome trade...and then hope that Robertson gets healthy and is part of the bullpen next year.
I mean, trading for Gonzales makes sense if the cost isn't ridiculously high, but I can't imagine that he will come cheap. Like you said, it depends on the price I guess.
This.
Sign Cole and a guy like Alex Wood, keep the prospects, and call it a day. The Sox have so much financial flexibility moving forward. There is no reason not to use it.
Honestly, the Sox should just send Collins back down. They aren't doing him any favors playing him twice a week. Of course he won't be any good because he can't get into any kind of a rhythm. Here's what I'd do.
vs RHP:
C McCann
1B Abreu
DH Reed
vs LHP:
C McCann
1B Abreu
DH Castillo
And then Collins would go back to getting everyday at-bats at AAA.