Jan 01 2009
MLB 30 in 30: Boston Red Sox
Last year the Boston Red Sox finished 95-67, good for 2nd in the AL East behind the Rays, as well as a wild card birth. The Red Sox dealt with many issues last year. First, they lost Curt Shilling for the year, which caused them to call up prospect pitchers such as Clay Buccholz and Justin Masterson. Jon Lester stepped it up this year, throwing one of two no hitters, and ended the season 16-6. He became their pitcher that they could rely on to get the W. They also lost DH David Ortiz to injury mid season. Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis stepped it up, finishing 1st and 3rd in the MVP voting, respectively. And who could forget, the Manny Ramirez fiasco, causing them to trade mid season for Jason Bay. Jason Bay filled in admirably and helped them in the playoff race. Even with all this, the Red Sox were still able to win 95 games, dethrone the Yankees from making the playoffs, and made it to the ALCS. They were down 3-1 to the Rays and came back to force a game 7. It was truly one of the greatest series played, and I remember staying up past 12 and 1 AM to watch the end of the games. They ended up losing game 7. They made some off season moves by signing Brad Penny, picking up their possible catcher in Josh Bard, but most importantly, missed out on Mark Texeira.
Here is their projected position players this year:
C: Up in the air???: The Red Sox have yet to sign Jason Varitek, and they lost backup Kevin Cash to the Yankees. They did sign Josh Bard, so he will likely be the catcher, but one has to think they will sign Varitek back. He is their captain and a great game caller. He has lost his bat, but on this team, offense is not their problem.
1B: Kevin Youkilis: Youkilis had a great year this year, hitting .312 with 29 HR and 115 RBI. He also is one of the top fielders in the entire league. He was 3rd in the MVP voting and is becoming quite the star. He is a staple in their lineup and will continue to produce day in, day out.
2b: Dustin Pedroia: The AL MVP last year was great in the 2 hole, hitting over .325 with 17 HR and 80+ RBI. Not the usual stats of an MVP, but he also had 54 doubles and carried the team on his back during his incredible hot streak in July/August.
SS: Jed Lowrie: Lowrie likely will get the call to start, unless Lugo returns to form. However, if Lowell is not back from injury, Lowrie would slide to 3rd and Lugo would play SS. Lugo has not repeated his great years from a few years ago and is getting paid 10 million to sit the bench. If only they could trade him away for a bag of balls.
3B: Mike Lowell: Pending his return to injury, but Lowell is going to be 38, but he still put up good numbers after coming back from his injury. He won’t repeat his numbers from 2007, but is still a viable option if he can return healthy. Lowrie would play 3rd is Lowell is hurt for opening day.
OF: Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew: This is one of the best outfields in the major leagues. Jason Bay, although playing for Pittsburgh, has fairly comparable stats to Manny Ramirez who they lost. Sure, he doesn’t put fear into a pitcher as much, but stats don’t lie. Ellsbury regressed from his magical 2007, but he still broke the SB record for the Red Sox and is considered untouchable in a trade. J.D. Drew finally made his 5 yr, 75 MM contract worth while last year. He could have been the MVP as well, carrying the team before Pedroia while Ortiz was facing injury. These guys are a formidable trio.
Here is their projected rotation and closer:
SP: Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny: Josh Beckett battled a bad back last year but should return this year strong. Lester should continue to improve and overcome Beckett as the Ace of the staff like I think he will be. Dice-K, although he seems to only want to go 5 or 6 innings when I see him pitch due to high pitch counts, continues to get the job done winning 18 games last year. Wakefield is always up in the air, he has a perpetual option with the Red Sox and can practically pitch forever, and pitch well with that crafty knuckler. Brad Penny was just signed for a one year deal, coming off an injury. However, two years prior he had back to back 16 win seasons. He could be a steal pickup as a #5 starter if he doesn’t get hurt.
CL: Jonathan Paplebon: No questions asked here. One of the most dominant closers in the game year in and year out.
My expectations for the team: I expect the Red Sox to be in it till the end just like last year. I see them finishing 2nd in the AL East behind the Yankees, but just barely, maybe by a game or 2. It will be a tough this year with the stacked Yankees, and the up and coming Rays, who are still coming off their World Series high. They should be the wild card team again, and are always a threat to win it all.
Tomorrow’s Preview: Chicago Cubs
