In the overreacting world which is the Boston media, things have become totally out of control. It is not about the Boston Red Sox anymore. It has now become a ratings battle. Who can say the most outrageous things (without sources) about the decline of the Red Sox gets the headline that day. Fried chicken and beer in the clubhouse, Tito’s marital problems and addiction to pain killers, Tim Wakefield out for himself, the entire rotation quitting on the team and skipping workouts, it’s Jason Varitek’s fault, it’s Matt Young’s fault. C’mon guys! We should be looking forward, not backwards! You media folks are out there trying to justify your jobs in the most competitive baseball media market in the world. The latest hip thing to do is say that the ownership group is more into Liverpool and Roush Fenway Racing than they are into the Red Sox? They took their eye off the ball and that’s why anarchy took place in the clubhouse. Really? Please tell me how many owners in Major League baseball are involved in the day-to-day operations of a baseball club? I would argue that Larry Luchino and John Henry were more involved than most.
Here are the facts. There were problems with the team’s leadership and discipline. Rules were not set or not followed. The two people directly responsible for that are the Manager and the General Manager. They are now gone. Major part of the problem solved! It is now up to Henry and Luchino to shape the future of the franchise. They must make the right choice for GM and he must make the right choice for Manager. Not an easy thing to do, but it is up to them.
As far as the players go, are there some bad eggs? Of course there are. Does John Lackey have to go at all costs? Yes! Can Josh Beckett turn it around? I think so. Can Lester and Buchholz come back strong and be the two rising perrenial American League Cy Young candidates? Absolutely. There is a tremendous amount of talent on this team. The minor leagues have been deleted to a point, but the right focus by the new GM can right that ship very quickly. If the reports are correct and Ben Cherrington is going to be the new GM, Minor League development is his strong suit and the Sox can spend money to stock the system.
Let’s talk about the players. First things first. If Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek would like to keep playing baseball, that’s fine. It cannot be in Boston. We love you guys, but you are not part of the future of Boston baseball. Move to the National League where you can have decent seasons along with JD Drew. That leaves Saltalamacchia and Lavarnway as your catchers. Can one, or both, provide the leadership for a pitching staff. Can they put in the work that is necessary in the clubhouse, do the hitting analysis research that is required theses days to lead a staff? They are both relatively inexperienced in those areas. The solution to that is a very strong, hands on, dedicated pitching coach. A pitching coach that is the first one to the ballpark and the last one to leave, knowing that he has to provide leadeship to both pitchers and catchers. A pitching coach must take the responsibility for the conditioning, the shoulder program, and the attitude of his pitchers. They are his primary responsibility. He is the PITCHING COACH!
I still think that a rotation of Beckett, Lester, Buchholz, Aceves, and anyone but Lackey would be a formidible rotation in the league. Depth, however, is a huge problem. There isn’t really anyone ready in the minors. Wieland and Doubrant are possibilities, but it runs pretty dry after that. I want Jonathan Papelbon back, along with Daniel Bard, Matt Albers and Andrew Miller in the pen. Who knows if we can get anything out of Bobby Jenks, but anything would be quite a bonus.
Positionally, they will have some very difficult decisions to make. It is very hard to make calls without bringing emotion into the process, but I will try. One of my favorite players on this team is Kevin Youkilis, but I think he needs to go. I respect him greatly for trying to play through many injuries but let’s face it. His style of play and beat up body is not conducive to a 162 game marathon that is the major league baseball season. He has been hurt the past two years and will continue to get hurt unless he becomes a DH in a bottle. Will Middlebrooks’ meteoric rise through the Sox farm system makes this decision a bit easier. Having Jed Lowrie around also helps although he seems to be as fragile as Youk. I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, Lowrie can really hit. Has anyone ever thought about making him an outfielder? Papi! Sign him. Two years but there has to be a right handed hitter in the middle of that lineup even though Gonzo and Ortiz hit very well against lefties this year. Perhaps Lavarnway or Salty can fill that role. This idea about Ortiz going to the Yankees makes no sense for David. He finally learns how to use Fenway Park to it’s fullest this year developing that beautiful inside out swing that made him a .300 hitter for the first time since 2007. Going to Yankee Stadium would bring him back to .260 very quickly. I would pick up the option on Marco Scutaro. He showed in September that he is a gamer, and that he hits against good pitching. He is not flashy but gets the job done at shortstop. For the third straight year, his offensive numbers compare favorably against Derek Jeter. Enough said. Jose Iglesias is still at least a year away. Contrary to popular belief around Red Sox mediaheads, I am confident that Carl Crawford will come back strong next year and be the player he has been in his career. Jacoby will have a tough time matching this year’s numbers but if he stays healthy he would be the big investment splash that the new GM should make. Right field will be an issue with the thought of some type of platoon looming. The name Michael Cudyyer kepps coming up. Not a bad choice. How about Jeff Francoer? His arm is quite a sight to see and he had a pretty good bounce back year. He is supposedly a great clubhouse guy as well…competitive. That’s the kind of players we need on the 2012 Red Sox
So all is not as bad as the Boston media is making it out to be. Granted, there is work to be done! But the sky is not falling into the Big Dig. Hold onto to your membership cards Red Sox Nation. We do our best when we are the underdogs and in 2012, we will be the underdogs!
