Valentine takes helm at Red Sox following disastrous meltdown in Beantown
Much like the Atlanta Braves, the Boston Red Sox had a meltdown of epic proportions to end 2011 on the wrong end of the Wild Card race.
Despite big money signings of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, the Red Sox became the first team ever to lead a race by nine games going into the final month and not make the post-season. Closing with a 6-18 record will do that to you. Amid allegations that some players were consuming alcohol and fried chicken in the clubhouse during games, the contracts of two time World Series winning manager and GM, Tito Francona and Theo Epstein were not renewed and thus, in unlikely fashion, ended the most successful period in the last century of the illustrious franchise.
In stepped the veteran Bobby Valentine, a decision that wasn’t wholly welcomed within the walls of Fenway Park, but with a decent track record, and, one assumes, a slightly stricter regime, the Red Sox are still a force to be reckoned with. Even with the loss of four time All-Star and franchise save leader Jonathon Papelbon to Philly and the losses of veterans Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
IN : Andrew Bailey (RP – Oakland), Jesse Carlson (RP – Toronto), Pedro Ciriaco (INF – Pittsburgh), Aaron Cook (SP – Colorado), Justin Germano (RP – Cleveland), Mark Melancon (RP – Houston), Clayton Mortensen (SP – Colorado), Ross Ohlendorf (SP – Pittsburgh), Vicente Padilla (RP – L.A. Dodgers), Nick Punto (INF – St.Louis), Jason Repko (OF – Minnesota), Cody Ross (OF – San Francisco), Kelly Shoppach (C – Tampa Bay), Ryan Sweeney (OF – Oakland)
OUT : Erik Bedard (SP – Pittsburgh), J.D. Drew (OF), Joey Gathright (OF), Tommy Hottovy (RP – Kansas City), Connor Jackson (OF), Jed Lowrie (INF – Houston), Trever Miller (RP – Chicago Cubs), Hideki Okajima (RP – N.Y. Yankees), Jonathon Papelbon (RP – Philadelphia), Josh Reddick (OF – Oakland), Marco Scutaro (SS – Colorado), Jason Varitek (C), Tim Wakefield (SP), Kyle Weiland (SP – Houston), Dan Wheeler (RP – Cleveland), Randy Williams (RP)
Catchers : With long time catcher and team captain Jason Varitek seemingly out of the picture, having not been re-signed following fifteen seasons at Fenway, there will be a two way battle for game time at the catcher spot with the Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Kelly Shoppach the two protagonists. Salty has the ball in his court, having been the starter last season, although he did hit a measly .235. The former Ray, Shoppach has been a solid reserve for many years, but, like Saltalamacchia, is primarily a defensive catcher with some pop but a low average. Elsewhere in the system, youngsters Luis Exposito and Ryan Lavarnway will be keen to impress if needed.
Infielders : With separate trades seeing the departures of Jed Lowrie and Marco Scutaro from Boston, there is a slightly new flavour to the infield, however big money man Adrian Gonzalez returns following a great first season at Fenway, in which he hit .338 and 27 homers, while Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis return for their sixth and seventh season as All-Star calibre starters. That leaves shortstop, which will likely be manned by Mike Aviles who hit almost .100 higher as a member of the Red Sox last year following a mid-season trade from Kansas City. Backing him up will be defensive specialist Nick Punto who is coming off a World Series winning season with the Cards. During a seven year tenure in Minnesota, Punto built up a reputation as one of the best clutch defenders in the game, which seems to more than make up for a sub .250 career batting average. Elsewhere on the roster, experience is at a premium. Lars Anderson had five at-bats last season but the Red Sox rate him highly. Jose Iglesias, Will Middlebrooks and Osar Tejeda are other options should the seemingly yearly injury problems strike again at Fenway.
Outfielders : Carl Crawford joined the Red Sox with a large reputation and an even larger contract, yet failed to live up to his lofty expectations in his debut season last year. A vast improvement on his .255 average and 11 homers will be needed if he is to justify his hefty salary. In centre, Jacoby Ellsbury, unlike his outfield partner, will be hoping for much of the same after claiming Comeback Player of the Year honours last year, to go along with a Gold Glove and a first All-Star call-up. He led the club with 32 long balls and hit .321 after an injury ravaged 2010 campaign. Despite the signing of 2010 post-season hero Cody Ross from the Giants, Darnell McDonald is slated to open the season as the everyday right fielder, but that could change. McDonald has proved to be a decent back-up option, while Ross has a knack for getting the game changing hits. Other options in the Red Sox system include Ryan Kalish, who was unable to follow up a decent rookie campaign in 2010, veteran Ryan Sweeney and the intriguing Taiwanese prospect Che-Hsuan Lin
Designated Hitter : No prizes for guessing who will man that role for the Red Sox in 2012. David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz is entering his tenth season in a Boston uniform, during which time he has hit over 1,000 RBIs. In fact, his 331 career homers and 1,079 career RBIs as a designated hitter are both MLB records. It will take a brave man to bet against a 25 homer season for big no.34.
Starting Pitchers : The rotation, one assumes, is pretty much set, despite some intriguing Spring Training invitees. Jon Lester and Josh Beckett had characteristically impressive seasons last year, and Bobby V will be hoping for repeat performances. Elsewhere, however, the story was not so good. Clay Bucholz was equally impressive, but injury limited him to just 14 starts. Count on him to perform well if fully fit. John Lackey could well be trade bait following a 6.41 ERA season, but he remains in the loop for now. Like Bucholz, Diasuke Matsuzaka had an injury ravaged season, but it may be too much to expect him to return to his 2008 form where he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA. Should Lackey or Dice-K falter, there may be a slimmer of hope for a slew of veteran Spring Training Invitees that include the likes of John Maine, Ross Ohlendorf, Carlos Silva and Vicente Padilla, all of whom may just have the ability to be a shrewd bit of business.
Relief Pitchers : A series of trades and free agent signings followed the departure of the franchise saves leader, Jonathon Papelbon, to the Phillies and it, on paper at least, they may well have done the trick. Andrew Bailey takes over as closer following a trade from Oakland. He has averaged 25 saves for the A’s in his three years in the league. Setting him up will be Daniel Bard, who set a franchise record of 21 consecutive scoreless appearances last season, and former Houston closer Mark Melancon. The trio should unite to form a lights out partnership form the 7th inning onwards. That’s not to mention the guy that closed for the World Series champions in his rookie season, either. Bobby Jenks’ role may, as yet, be undefined, but you can be sure that Valentine will have no bother handing the ball over to the hefty righty who they expect to be fully healthy following a poor and injury ravaged first season in Boston. Alfredo Aceves will also play a key role in the bullpen as a spot starter and innings eater. Behind that quintet are a series of pitchers who would have more significant roles in a less crowded bullpen. The likes of Franklin Morales and Matt Albers are more than capable of playing key roles if needed, while Scott Atchison provides veteran leadership. One time phenom Andrew Miller may earn a spot on the roster, while other options include Felix Doubront and Michael Bowden.
PREDICTION : The Yankees have improved, and may be unsurpassable at the top of the East, but the Red Sox are more than capable of fending off the Blue Jays and Rays for second place. They have a strong line-up with decent depth and the loss of key veterans has been off-set by the signings they have made. Although Valentine may not have been the consensus choice from within the clubhouse, nothing helps like winning, and expect the Red Sox to win a whole load of games this season.
