In the american league having all pitching and no hitting is a recipe for disaster. The Sox should have seen this coming last offseason. They banked on a lot of "best case senarios." Did they really think that Pedroia would have the same season as last year? Did they really believe that Papi, Tek, and Lowell would not decline even more? Were they really fooled into thinking that JBay was really on par with Manny? They should of done what it took to get Tex. A young power hitting, defensive, and middle of the order guy. Our offense is mediocre at best. In my opinion they need to go and get Prince Fielder. Trade any pitcher on their team, except Jon Lester.
Players they should keep: Pedroia Youk Vmart Ellsbury Lester Buchholtz
The rest we could afford to lose, even Beckett
Here is my ideal/Realistic line-up for next year
1) Ellsbury- please raise your OPS 2) Pedroia- was not bagging on him, but just pointing out that he could not have an MVP season every year 3) Youk- "heart and soul" of the team 4) Fielder- this is the pop we need (trade Bard or Bucholtz in a deal along with Lars. Before you start flipping out, I know it would take more 5) VMart- sacrificing offense for defense 6) Papi- I still think he has a little left in the tank, eventhough he disapeared in the playoffs 7) JBay- Would rather have him than Matt "I can't hit an inside fastball" Holliday 8) Drew- Wish he would disapear, so we could go after Abreau, but it is not happening 9) Lowrie- AGone is a K machine and Lowrie is who they believe in
P) Lester- Our real Ace P) Beckett- Please regain form P) Buchholtz- A stud. Just wait and see. Haven't we been doing that? just kidding P) DiceK- Came back a different pitcher. Actually went 7 innings one time p) Harden- I think that this will be Theo's project. You can not deny the talent when he is healthy.
CL) Papelbon- Wish we could include him the Fielder package, but see it happening
Mauer and Hanley are not possibilities- Both of their teams are moving into new stadiums and could justify trading the faces of their franchises.
Unfortunately David Ortiz is done in my opinion. He put up decent numbers after June but his performance during the playoffs were terrible. What did he do 1 for 11?
I do agree that Hanley Rameriz is not going to happen. I would give up some marque players for Joe Maurer and have him and Victor Martinez swap out when necessary.
Mike Lowell also has one year left on his contract but maybe a trade could move him into another park. I doubt if that will happen. His bat is still strong even though his range has decreased.
Don't count Josh Beckett out yet. He still had a good year and is still young. Hopefully the off season will strengthen his arm and be better next year. 16 wins is not a bad year for any pitcher.
Daisuke Matsuzaka should never have pitched before the season began. The owners should have a clause stating that certain players cannot participate playing ball for their countries prior to and including spring training. DiceK needs to go back to Japan or trade him to the National league for a good shotstop and a relief pitcher.
Jonathan Papelbon needs more innings to be effective in any playoff run. He'll resign with the Red Sox. They want him and he wants to stay. If he leaves I'll be very surprised.
Jason Bay also needs to sign but with his home on the west coast I'm sure the Dodgers will be trying to sign him. I doubt if manny Rameriz will be returning to the Dodgers. Bay will also be courted by the Yankees. I think Prince Fielder will stay in the National league and be content with the offer that is coming his way.
The shotstop position has been a big hole ever since we lost Nomar Garciapara. Jed Lowrie should be used as trade bait, because he is not the answer and neithr is Alex Gonzalez who has a steady glove but no bat.
Now I would like to see Evan Longoria come to the Sox but that also will never happen.
We can have our dream team but what we want and what will happen are two completely stories.
Not a bad post at all, the only place I really disagree is with Josh Beckett being replaceable. He would be on my must keep list, he was a favorite for the Cy Young at one point this season before having a rough end of the year. Some other thoughts:
Ellsbury's OPS was okay, you have to remember he was only a second year player (I'm discounting his appearance in the 2007 playoffs), and we saw a big change from him in being more patient just within the second half of the season. I have a strong belief that he will be even better next year, and will continue to improve.
I think Prince Fielder is certainly on Theo's radar, but I don't know if the Red Sox will be willing to give up what it would take to get him. If Jason Bay is re-signed I don't see this move as necessary, but if he isn't...
J.D. Drew may not be re-signed when his contract is up in 3 years (or is it two now?), but he won't go anywhere before then. He is not a very clutch player, but he finished 3rd in OPS in the American League this year, Theo and Tito love his OBP and above average defense (one of only 3 above average defenders on the Red Sox according to Stats Inc.).
Rich Harden will also be on Theo's radar, along with some other veterans like Mark Mulder, Ben Sheets, etc. The typical scrap heap pick-ups that were tried this year, though hopefully with better luck.
Joe Mauer... Wow. This guy alone solves all of the Red Sox problems. He's a great defensive catcher, a middle of the order hitter with high average, high OPS and OBP. Allows Victor Martinez to play mostly at first and move Kevin Youkilis to third. I'd give the Twins our entire farm system to land him, but I don't think they will be interested. They think they can keep him and Justin Morneau for the long term.
Signing Harden and getting Fielder wouldn't be that bad of an offseason. Harden is a really good picture when he is healthy, and if he stays healthy for the whole year or at least most of it, it will be looked back upon as a great signing. Fielder would give us a great bat, but I would prefer Gonzalez if we are going to give those prospects up. Also, Beckett will be back to normal next year.
