Before putting my GM Hat on, hey, don't judge me; create your own wet dream, we need to talk about the former captain of the ship, Terry Francona. He is hands-down the best manager of my lifetime and could give a serious run at Dick Williams for the best skipper in Red Sox history. Calling him inept at his job would be like saying a perfectly functional refrigerator is at fault for giving you bad food. That being said his laid-back managing style was not akin to this team's winning ways anymore. The players didn't police themselves like in 2004 and didn't have that drive like they had in '07. Therefore when they needed a huge boot in the chute he didn't give them one. He was accountable and noted that he couldn't reach them like in years past and that he didn't feel like he could going forward. Bottom line, he lost the clubhouse, and that is a fireable offense. The decision was made and now you need to find someone to fill his shoes, strike that, canoes, because you're replacing a legend.
Bobby Valentine is not the answer he is steadfast against any of the new metrics in baseball. While I agree that things like the "NESN Temperature Gauge" is as useful as a shit flavored lollipop you can't just dismiss numbers and go with your gut. It doesn't work that way. Use the numbers, and form an educated opinion around them. That's called the Grady Little way of thinking. Joe Torre walked away from managing for a reason and I don't think he'll come out but I bet managing the Red Sox would probably appeal to his vindictive side. I would look into the following candidates: Trey Hillman, Bruce Bochy, and DeMarlo Hale.
All three of these guys are more of a disciplinarian than Francona, and that is something that the current state of the Red Sox needs, badly. Bochy knows how to run a staff, is playoff tested and is by all accounts accountable and respected. They would need to get San Francisco's permission but it is definitely an avenue I would look at. Trey Hillman has some managerial experience with a lackluster Kansas City Royals team but he runs a tight ship. I didn't hear much about any tirades going on in Kansas City, then again it is Kansas City. DeMarlo already has the respect of most of the people in that clubhouse and that could be invaluable in the quest for the new manager. It also would likely save a lot of jobs in the Red Sox organization from getting a revamp. But that may also be an issue that needs fine-tuning as well. I'm looking at you, Tim Bogar.
*Puts on said GM Sombrero*
According to all reports the clubhouse was in disarray. As GM this is what I am addressing first. It is time to break up what is left from 2004 which I think is where a lot of the "entitlement" is coming from.
Tim Wakefield, gotta go. When you come out and say you want to come back because the "fans deserve to see me get a chance at getting those 7 wins for the Red Sox record." Nope that's counterproductive to the team concept. That's self-promotion, and when you aren't giving quality starts at all it is not even that much of a decision. Time to hang it up Timmy. Sorry to crush your spirit.
It's time for Varitek to go. If the reports are true, and I'll show you this as evidence that it's probably true, and there was drinking on the off days in the clubhouse while games were going on, he is no longer a leader. He is already a liability in the lineup and throwing runners out, calling a game is not that much of an attribute to save you on my roster. For all of you that say he has to be here with Beckett, we'll address that shortly.
Kevin Youkilis is one of the hardest working players in baseball. But according to a very prominent voice in Boston, Jackie MacMullan, Kevin Youkilis became a detriment. If this is the case he needs to go as well. He called Jacoby Ellsbury out in 2010 for not being a team player, and for him to spout off at the mouth when he is injured is not the kind of poison you need in a club house. He is a very good player but with looking towards the future, if you want to keep Jacoby Ellsbury happy, and after the year he had you want to do that, you may want to look into trading Kevin Youkilis and finding a new personality to man the hot corner.
Josh Beckett. The de facto "leader of the staff" is a serious concern going forward. He just signed a contract extension, but he is not untradeable, especially after the by and large solid season that he had. He is the pitcher that the other pitchers look up to, for whatever reason, and I don't want my other pitchers looking at a guy that isn't staying conditioned and is not leading in the right direction. 5 years ago, he was that pitcher, the one that Red Sox officials told Jon Lester, "Be Josh Beckett, watch him and do what he does." Fast-Forward, he visibly gained 20 pounds during the season and was leading the drinking in the clubhouse? It's time to shop the Texas Tough Guy. Here is the proposition:
Call up the Mets and get the medicals on Johan Santana to see if is he going to be ready to pitch in 2012.
I will offer Kevin Youkilis, Josh Beckett, and Felix Doubront for Johan Santana and David Wright.
Here is the money breakout:
Youkilis- 12 million in 2012 (13 million team option with a 1 million buyout)
Beckett- 15.75 million for the next 3 years.
Doubront- League min
Minimum amount for the Mets: 47.25 milion (Beckett) + 13 million (Youkilis) + Doubront ≈ 61 million
Johan Santana- 24 milllion in 2012, 25.5 million in 2013 (25 million option or 5.5 million buyout)
David Wright- 15 million in 2012, (16 million option or 1 million buyout)
Minimum amount for the Red Sox: 55 million (Santana) + 16 millon (Wright) ≈ 71 million
The money shouldn't be an obstacle to overcome. The issue is with putting all your eggs into Santana's basket. If healthy he will change the culture of the rotation. He has never had any deterrents on his record as far as lack of effort. He is the type of player that Jon Lester could benefit working with, being a lefty and having the title of being the best in the game.
The Mets are not without risk in this situation either. Kevin Youkilis is coming off back to back injury riddled seasons and would be taking a huge risk that he stays healthy at 3rd base.
This move can only be made if you acquire at least 2 more arms for your rotation with the question marks around Santana and John Lackey. Jason Marquis and Chris Capuano ar are 2 of the candidates that I would strongly look at that will not cost you more than you are willing to spend. Ultimately I would make Marquis the number 5 starter.
Speaking of John Lackey, I don't think his season and excuses are acceptable. That being said, I don't think there is any way he has anything near that bad a season again. He did have a LOT of bad luck, and it may be better if you were to get rid of Josh Beckett, give him an offseason to clear his head, and then come back and be a number 4 starter. I think his 2010 campaign is going to be a much better barometer to his Red Sox career than his 2011. Also you don't want to eat that kind of money if you don't have to. I'd accept his 2010 season out of my 4th starter, so you pray that he comes to camp in much better shape, a clearer mind/conscience and is cognitively ready to pitch, not just physically.
There is 30 million dollars coming off the books this year, between Ortiz, Drew, Wakefield and Varitek.
I'm offering Jonathan Papelbon 3 years and 42 million. He had a phenomenal season, and is battle tested in the Boston market. He would be getting a raise from his 12 million dollar 2011 salary and the security of a 3 year deal. Hope that he accepts it. If not, then I say you stock your bullpen with power arms a la the Texas Rangers. I would give Jonathan Broxton, Heath Bell, Ryan Madson, and Chris Capuano a phone call. If Papelbon stays you sign 2, if he goes you sign 3.
If Papelbon re-signs, your bullpen could look like this.
Papelbon, Bard, Aceves, Morales, Broxton, Capuano
If Papelbon leaves, you're looking at:
Bell, Bard, Morales, Broxton, Aceves, Capuano
I am convinced that Carl Crawford is going to be a very good player for the Boston Red Sox, but he has to get off to a better start. If he gets off to a better start he won't press, he won't be afraid to dive for a ball or steal a base. His track record would suggest that he is going to be a plus player. He's definitely better than he played and should show that in year two and going forward. Will he be worth 20+ million dollars? No shot. But you can't honestly say he shouldn't be able to steal at least 30 bases and hit .275 next year. He will impact the Red Sox in 2012, write that down.
It is time for the David Ortiz Era to end. Thank him for everything that he did, and collect his two draft picks for being a Type-A Free Agent. His attitude at times this season was questionable at best and deplorable at worst. Remember him barging into a Terry Francona press conference over an RBI? Then he clearly called out Terry Francona when he was lobbying for Alfredo Aceves to start. Whether it was right or not you do not call out your manager, you're an employee, fall in line. Then on the day that Francona was shown the door, Ortiz said the only beef he ever had with Francona was when he pulled him and sat him in 2010. Newsflash David, you were the WORST hitter in the league at the time when he did that, and had he not have done it, it would have been irresponsible. 2004 was unforgettable but you don't get a free pass for your performance going forward. We have seen what the end looks like for Ortiz, and you need to get out while you can, unless he takes a hometown discount, a big one, it's time to walk.
This is where you look at someone like Magglio Ordonez, Ryan Ludwick or Xavier Nady on a 1-year deal. Someone who could play the outfield in a pinch and also can hit left handed pitching. In an ideal world Magglio Ordonez would be the new DH.
With regards to Right Field, you need a right handed hitting bat. This is not optional. I'm assuming that Nick Swisher will re-sign with the Yankees so I will be looking at Michael Cuddyer. I would also pursue Cody Ross to take over for Darnell MacDonald. Both with strong arms in right field and could easily plug into the 6th/7th spot in the lineup. You do NOT break the bank for Cuddyer. A 3 year deal is the longest I would go.
Marco Scutaro has a team option for 6 million. I exercise that option. He is your Opening Day shortstop and provides your shortstop in waiting (Jose Iglesias) at least half a season of seasoning in AAA. Marco Scutaro gives quality at bats, and while his defense is not what it once was, he is better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins or Jose Reyes.
It will however be time to find a new utility man. Jed Lowrie's inability to stay healthy is ultimately his ticket out of town. Jerry Hairston Jr., Jamey Carrol and Nick Punto are the options and I would probably go with Jamey Carrol. For a team that at times struggled against lefties, he hit .307 in 2011 and is capable of playing 3B, SS and 2B.
Also there is a decision to be made with regards to the catching situation. Do you start Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Ryan Lavarnway. Does Lavarnway have the experience that Saltalamacchia has? Absolutely not. But his catching ability is a lot more conventional and reliable than Saltalamacchia's, and unless you have the Brian McCann's of the world (who is a dynamite catcher anyway) its defense first, then offense. Lavarnway hit 31 home runs in the minors in 2011 and is definitely going to be part of the Major League roster in 2012. If you platoon them and make Lavarnway the catcher vs. right-handed starters and Saltalamacchia the catcher vs. left-handed starters you could be looking at a very potent offensive tandem. I am a big proponent of talent and experience but if you don't have the youthful exuberance on your team, it isn't complete. Lavarnway is the starting catcher.
Here is the lineup I'm running out on Opening Day:
Jacoby Ellsbury
Carl Crawford
Dustin Pedroia
Adrian Gonzalez
David Wright
Magglio Ordonez
Michael Cuddyer
Ryan Lavarnway
Marco Scutaro
I don't like taking Adrian Gonzalez out of the 3-hole because he is the best hitter on the team. But if Carl Crawford's mental block about not hitting 2nd in the lineup is the only thing keeping him from being dynamic, I'll try anything. Dustin Pedroia is capable of hitting anywhere in the lineup, and has enough swagger to hit 3, it also balances the lefty/righty situation as best as you can.
The Bench:
Jarrod Saltalamacchia ( C )
Cody Ross (Outfielder( Good defense, some power))
Jamey Carrol (2B, 3B( hits lefties well, a little speed))
Mike Aviles ( 2B, 3B, SS (versatile defender, speed)
Brad Hawpe (1B, RF) (some power off the bench)
This is the perfect blend of lefties, righties and switch hitters. While covering every single position and not really playing any of your substitutes out of position. The key to a good bench is balance. Balance between speed, defense and power. The team needs a revamp and this completes your substitutes.
The Starting Rotation Looks like this (if healthy):
Johan Santana
Jon Lester
Clay Buchholz
John Lackey
Jason Marquis
(Chris Capuano)
This rotation isn't much different than 2011 but even with a mediocre Lackey the Sox would have gotten into the playoffs. The odds of him being that abysmal again are slim. So, if he reverts back to the 2010 version of himself and isn't under the influence of Josh Beckett and you insert Johan Santana's work ethic to hopefully rub off on your starters you should be looking at a better all-around staff.
*Removes GM Hat*
If this doesn't fix the Boston Red Sox, than nothing will. You get rid of 2 of the biggest detriments to the team's chemistry and work ethic in Youkilis and Beckett. You add A+ level talent like Santana (if healthy). You add dirt dog mentality players like Cuddyer, Carrol and Ross. You have that rookie intangible in Lavarnway. You have at the very least enhanced your third base defense with Wright over Youkilis and created a more balanced team. What else could you ask for than positive, winning attitudes? Answer: Nothing.
Stay Tuned
Norton
The Starting Rotation Looks like this (if healthy):
Johan Santana
Jon Lester
Clay Buchholz
John Lackey
Jason Marquis
(Chris Capuano)
This rotation isn't much different than 2011 but even with a mediocre Lackey the Sox would have gotten into the playoffs. The odds of him being that abysmal again are slim. So, if he reverts back to the 2010 version of himself and isn't under the influence of Josh Beckett and you insert Johan Santana's work ethic to hopefully rub off on your starters you should be looking at a better all-around staff.
*Removes GM Hat*
If this doesn't fix the Boston Red Sox, than nothing will. You get rid of 2 of the biggest detriments to the team's chemistry and work ethic in Youkilis and Beckett. You add A+ level talent like Santana (if healthy). You add dirt dog mentality players like Cuddyer, Carrol and Ross. You have that rookie intangible in Lavarnway. You have at the very least enhanced your third base defense with Wright over Youkilis and created a more balanced team. What else could you ask for than positive, winning attitudes? Answer: Nothing.
Stay Tuned
Norton
No comments:
Post a Comment
Let us know what you think!