With pitchers and catchers reporting to camp next week I thought I'd take my time to critique / discuss some the off season moves made by the Boston Red Sox, and in doing so I'll also give my predictions for the year ahead.
Major Subtractions:
-Johnny Damon
It seems to be a popular sentiment among sportswriters (or at least the ones that I read), especially immediately following his signing with the New York Yankees, that the Red Sox are going to seriously miss Johnny Damon playing center field and batting in the lead off spot. However, I am actually extremely happy that the Red Sox didn't try to out bid an absurd contract like that. Keep the money, get a player on the rise (Coco Crisp) and don't think twice about it. The Yanks may get a couple of good years out of him, but he has all the makings of Bernie Williams II for the last year or two of his contract.
-Bill Mueller
Bill was a reall gamer and I appreciated his intesity on the field, but his health is an obvious concern. I feel better going with Lowell who has the potential to have a great year at the plate and, regardless of his bat, will have a great year defensively along side Alex Gonzales on the left side of the infield.
-Edgar Renteria
I almost have trouble listing him as a "Major" subtraction, but he bears mentioning for the sheer name recognition. His bat was extremely unpredicatable last year, and his defense was terrible...thanks for the effort Edgar, but well take Alex G.
Mike Myers
-Not sure about you, but I consider the loss of Mike Myers as being a much bigger loss than Kevin "My Quoteablility keeps me paid" MIllar. Myers was a truly dominant lefty specialist and I am sad to see him go, especially to a division powehouse like the yanks...$10 bucks says Ortiz will face him everytime he bats in the 8th or 9th inning against the Yanks.
Noteables:
Kevin Millar - I'll miss his once a season explosion that usually coincides with the Sox being at Fenway against the Yanks...but I won't miss much else.
John Olerud - I think he retired, which is a shame because I loved his swing.
Hanley Ramirez - Can't wait forever for you to bloom...
Andy Marte - Sort of a subtraction although he never actually played a game...I actually read an interesting piece the other day about how he has a potentially fatal flaw in his swing...not sure what that means.
Major Additions:
-Josh Beckett
I am super-psyched about this kid. Great potential, but we need to keep him healthy. Hard thrower has a bit of the Derek Lowe in him though as he is prone to blisters.
-Coco Crisp
I think he will play very well in a Red Sox uniform, and I think that he will benefit from the Green Monster as to most righties. I read an interesting quote in an ESPN.com article the other day (or was is SI.com) that said something to the effect of, "Coco Crisp is not as fast as people think he is, but he as more power than people think he does." Take that with a grain of salt, but I think it he is going to be a terrific replacement for Johnny Damon.
-Mark Loretta / Mike Lowell
These two can be lumped in together because the same question seems to apply equally well to both of them. Can they return to their 2004 form? Only time will tell, but my money says that at least one of them will, and that's hot.
-Alex Gonzales
Great fielder poor hitter...sound like any one we know? Here's a hint. His name rhymes with Miguel Cabrera. Let's be honest, as a city, we have had a recent love affair with poor hitting middle infielders who are dynamite when it comes to throwing the leather around. Cabrera...Pokey Reese!! Look for Alex to become a local favorite, and in doing so, elevate his plate presence.
Noteables:
JT Snow - Great fielder..should be a welcome addition in the late innings, although it remains to be seen if Yukilis is so bad defensively as to warrant replacement.
AL Predictions:
East:
Red Sox
Yankees
Blue Jays
Devil Rays
Orioles
Central:
Cleveland
Chicago (Wild Card)
West:
Texas
I predict that the Red Sox starting pitching depth (especially once they add Clemens) will be enough to vault them into first for the first time in almost a decade. The Sox, Yanks and Jays will be locked up in a very tight race with the Sox just winning by 3 games. The tight race will severely threaten the ability of the second place team to be the AL wild card. The Cleveland Indians will win the central on the backs of a seriously talented youth movement, although they need some pitching. Chicago should have a good shot at the wild card as they return most of the championship team from 2005. Their good fortune will run out, as will Guillen's, and they will not take the division. Texas, with their insane mashers will carry the west against a stagnant Angels club and a cheap A's club.
That's all for now...although I'd like to leave you with a final thought. Win or lose this season, these new look Red Sox are going to be fun to watch. With some young pitching maturing right before our eyes, and a defense that can seriously dazzle, and let's not forget the Ortiz / Ramirez travelling road show, Red Sox baseball is going to be full or surpises this summer.
Major Subtractions:
-Johnny Damon
It seems to be a popular sentiment among sportswriters (or at least the ones that I read), especially immediately following his signing with the New York Yankees, that the Red Sox are going to seriously miss Johnny Damon playing center field and batting in the lead off spot. However, I am actually extremely happy that the Red Sox didn't try to out bid an absurd contract like that. Keep the money, get a player on the rise (Coco Crisp) and don't think twice about it. The Yanks may get a couple of good years out of him, but he has all the makings of Bernie Williams II for the last year or two of his contract.
-Bill Mueller
Bill was a reall gamer and I appreciated his intesity on the field, but his health is an obvious concern. I feel better going with Lowell who has the potential to have a great year at the plate and, regardless of his bat, will have a great year defensively along side Alex Gonzales on the left side of the infield.
-Edgar Renteria
I almost have trouble listing him as a "Major" subtraction, but he bears mentioning for the sheer name recognition. His bat was extremely unpredicatable last year, and his defense was terrible...thanks for the effort Edgar, but well take Alex G.
Mike Myers
-Not sure about you, but I consider the loss of Mike Myers as being a much bigger loss than Kevin "My Quoteablility keeps me paid" MIllar. Myers was a truly dominant lefty specialist and I am sad to see him go, especially to a division powehouse like the yanks...$10 bucks says Ortiz will face him everytime he bats in the 8th or 9th inning against the Yanks.
Noteables:
Kevin Millar - I'll miss his once a season explosion that usually coincides with the Sox being at Fenway against the Yanks...but I won't miss much else.
John Olerud - I think he retired, which is a shame because I loved his swing.
Hanley Ramirez - Can't wait forever for you to bloom...
Andy Marte - Sort of a subtraction although he never actually played a game...I actually read an interesting piece the other day about how he has a potentially fatal flaw in his swing...not sure what that means.
Major Additions:
-Josh Beckett
I am super-psyched about this kid. Great potential, but we need to keep him healthy. Hard thrower has a bit of the Derek Lowe in him though as he is prone to blisters.
-Coco Crisp
I think he will play very well in a Red Sox uniform, and I think that he will benefit from the Green Monster as to most righties. I read an interesting quote in an ESPN.com article the other day (or was is SI.com) that said something to the effect of, "Coco Crisp is not as fast as people think he is, but he as more power than people think he does." Take that with a grain of salt, but I think it he is going to be a terrific replacement for Johnny Damon.
-Mark Loretta / Mike Lowell
These two can be lumped in together because the same question seems to apply equally well to both of them. Can they return to their 2004 form? Only time will tell, but my money says that at least one of them will, and that's hot.
-Alex Gonzales
Great fielder poor hitter...sound like any one we know? Here's a hint. His name rhymes with Miguel Cabrera. Let's be honest, as a city, we have had a recent love affair with poor hitting middle infielders who are dynamite when it comes to throwing the leather around. Cabrera...Pokey Reese!! Look for Alex to become a local favorite, and in doing so, elevate his plate presence.
Noteables:
JT Snow - Great fielder..should be a welcome addition in the late innings, although it remains to be seen if Yukilis is so bad defensively as to warrant replacement.
AL Predictions:
East:
Red Sox
Yankees
Blue Jays
Devil Rays
Orioles
Central:
Cleveland
Chicago (Wild Card)
West:
Texas
I predict that the Red Sox starting pitching depth (especially once they add Clemens) will be enough to vault them into first for the first time in almost a decade. The Sox, Yanks and Jays will be locked up in a very tight race with the Sox just winning by 3 games. The tight race will severely threaten the ability of the second place team to be the AL wild card. The Cleveland Indians will win the central on the backs of a seriously talented youth movement, although they need some pitching. Chicago should have a good shot at the wild card as they return most of the championship team from 2005. Their good fortune will run out, as will Guillen's, and they will not take the division. Texas, with their insane mashers will carry the west against a stagnant Angels club and a cheap A's club.
That's all for now...although I'd like to leave you with a final thought. Win or lose this season, these new look Red Sox are going to be fun to watch. With some young pitching maturing right before our eyes, and a defense that can seriously dazzle, and let's not forget the Ortiz / Ramirez travelling road show, Red Sox baseball is going to be full or surpises this summer.
posted by WindowShopper at
7:25 PM
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