The Red Sox, or Dead Sox, or Red Sux whatever you want to call them spit the bit last night. They spit the bit in such dramatic and gut-wrenching fashion that they actually overtook 1978 as the worst regular season loss in franchise history. The completion of the collapse was so theatrical that Scorsese couldn't have scripted it. The Rays come back from 7 runs down to force extra innings. The Red Sox are forced to watch it happen in the clubhouse during an ill-timed rain delay. Then Dan Johnson comes up with yet another homerun that bends the Red Sox over, dry. Papelbon blows a save. And within 3 minutes Longoria hits his 2nd homerun of the night to propel them into October. Here is what I took away from last night:
- Dustin Pedroia is hands down the best second basemen in baseball, if this wasn't already established before the game. He couldn't have played better in the biggest game of the season. There's your cornerstone.
- Jon Lester was clearly fighting himself to stay within the strike zone. But he found a way to be good. Only problem was the Red Sox needed him to be great. 2 runs over 6 innings definitely should have been enough to get a win. But the Sox needed someone to go out there and give them 8 innings 2 hit no-run ball and it just wasn't there. His start was admirable but not awe-inspiring.
- Alfredo Aceves is a guy that I will have on my team any day.
- Jonathan Papelbon's brilliant season will probably be forgotten because of the grotesque way that it ended. But I'll leave you with this, would you have any confidence with Bard as your closer right now? That's what I thought.
- Daniel Bard needs to fix "it". Whatever it was that made his release point so inconsistent for the last month has to be fixed. If it's not fixed then he is no longer a strength and is basically Bobby Jenks or *gulp* Manny DelCarmen. He got out of the 8th inning last night but tell me you didn't pucker up when Vladdy hit that towering flyball to center.
- Adrian Gonzalez didn't show up when you needed him to. The entire month of September, he didn't show up. If you're injured that's one thing, but if you are in the lineup, you are expected to produce. His season wasn't a bust, but the finish was an absolute disappointment. Also, for him to say, "God has a plan for us and it was to not make the playoffs" makes me want to backhand him. Even Kevin Costner knows you don't bring God between the lines. See the script from For Love of the Game, below:
- Lord, I know that
- I always said...
that I'd never involve You
- in a baseball game.
It always seemed silly.
- I mean, You got enough to do.
- [ Exhales ]
- But if there's any way
- You could make this pain
- in my shoulder go away...
- for about ten minutes.
If the movies know not to involve the Higher Beings, why doesn't the highest paid player on the Red Sox?
The question going forward is can this team win as currently constituted. The answer is a resounding, no. There has to be changes and there will probably be multiple. Here's what I think happens and who goes and who stays.
Theo Epstein- He certainly has to take his share of the blame pie. The amount of bad contracts on this team and dead money on the books certainly doesn't look good on his resume. But how do you bring someone else into this and tell them to clean up a mess of this magnitude? I don't think you can, I think the Sox brass has to sit down with Theo and say, "We hate eating money, but we are businessmen and know when you have to cut losses, and we are going to be eating money this offseason." Theo has to figure out why he is so bad at evaluating free agents and he needs to turn it around, now.
Terry Francona- While I don't think this is entirely his fault. He seems to want to be done in Boston. When asked if he wanted to return he skated the question. Even the best managers run their course in different towns. His managerial style was perfect for 2004 with that group, but he has a bunch of guys outside of Pedroia and Ellsbury that needed a kick in the ass, and he didn't give it to them. That's where he needs to be accountable, and it may have cost him his job. He will most certainly be gone if another GM comes in. Most GM's want to start fresh with their manager. But if he wants to be in Boston he'll be back, but I do not think the Sox ultimately pick up his option.
John Lackey- There is no way unless he holds a press conference with a massive mea culpa vowing to be better that he and all his baggage, mouth breathing and horse facedness can come back to this town. He is an unaccountable cancer in the club house with diminishing stuff and a piss-poor attitude. His contract is an albatross and you will not be able to trade him for anything of value but the value of him not being on the team is FAR greater than him being on it. You will have to eat 60-75% or more of the contract to even think of trading him but another team would actually have to want to have him on his team. It was a failed signing. Write it off, you have the money. If you can't trade him you release him. You can't have that kind of poison in your clubhouse.
Carl Crawford- I have never seen such a self-pitying baseball player in my entire life. Most players when faced with adversity try and beat it back with their bat or arm and be a better player, this guy tucks his tail between his legs and turtles. During the final series of the year when you need to win out, he comes out and says, "I should be hitting second, I don't want to worry about trying to hit home runs". Well there's one problem with that, there's a better number 2 hitter already on the roster, his name is Dustin Pedroia. He doesn't have enough power to hit 3-6 and he causes a fit when asked to hit leadoff. His once heralded defense was so bad that it cost the Red Sox at least 2 games this year. He only stole 18 bases, 18 and didn't even get on base above a .290 clip for Christ sake. I'm not saying you should trade him, but I am saying where does he fit? He didn't fit when you signed him and after the first year it couldn't be more obvious that this player is not the player you thought you signed. I understand that 7 years and 142 million is a large commitment but if there is any way that you could swap him for Jayson Werth I would do it in a heartbeat despite Werth's down year.
Tim Bogar- He needs to go. The Red Sox ranked second this year in runners thrown out at the plate this year. There is no way that Marco Scutaro should be sent on Crawford's double after he stopped mid-way between 2nd and 3rd. If he doesn't go you will once again see more baserunning blunders than should happen on a team of this (supposed) caliber.
Jonathan Papelbon- He had a phenomenal season, which will be marred by the nasty taste of the final game in Baltimore. Papelbon has to come back. Daniel Bard is not ready to be the closer of this team. He is accountable when faced with adversity and one could argue he had his best statistical year in the big leagues. There will be a choice between Ortiz and Papelbon who will probably get around the same Average Annual Value contract. 3-4 years at 14 million per year.
David Ortiz- David Ortiz had a fantastic rebound season. That being said I think it's time you let him walk and collect the two compensatory draft picks for letting a Type A Free Agent go. We have seen what the decline looks like with Ortiz and it isn't pretty. I would bring him back if he took shorter years but he won't. This coupled with Kevin Youkilis getting older and the constant beating his body takes you will need to have the DH spot open to either rotate him in or give it to him permanently through the remainder of his contract.
Jason Varitek/Tim Wakefield- It's been a good run guys. But this team isn't getting any younger. The "game-calling" ability is invaluable, but when that is you're ONLY value it is not enough to keep on the roster. It is time to let Varitek walk. Tim Wakefield is a strange case. He should be let go. But with pitching being so volatile and injury-prone he could have a spot. Ultimately I don't think they want someone that is only good for a 5.00 ERA and he will retire.
JD Drew-Feels like this moment couldn't have come sooner didn't it? Basically he played good defense and hit a home run in the playoffs. That's the extent of JD's tenure in Boston. We will need a right fielder.
There are only a handful of players that I think have a cemented spot on next year's team. Dustin Pedroia, the captain and the best all-around player on your team. Jacoby Ellsbury, what a year this kid had. Jon Lester, despite his struggles in September he is still one of the preeminent lefties in the game. Clay Buchholz, You have to write the year off but affordable quality starting pitching is a commodity. Adrian Gonzalez, he'll learn to not be so passive and God-fearing.
The Red Sox are too left-handed. The did hit well against lefties, but late in the games versus "lefty specialists" they were vulnerable. They need to look at a Michael Cuddyer who mashes lefties and can play the outfield and has the versatility to play in the infield as well.
The one thing that sets the Red Sox apart from just about all the other playoff teams is their lack of an "Ace". They don't have a CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander, Roy Halladay. They need an impact arm. Especially when they get rid of John Lackey. They need to explore trades, names like Felix Hernandez, Johan Santana, James Shields and Tim Hudson all need to be discussed if someone will deal them.
The Red Sox season woefully underachieved and there has to be moves. If this team comes back in 2012 intact, with no major additions or more importantly subtractions they will continue to be maddening to watch. This team needs a hardnosed swagger back because right now they are playing "entitled baseball" when the only way to play baseball is to earn your spot in the postseason not have it handed to you.
Stay Tuned
Norton
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