Is Boston Ready To Go?

Wow...as soon as the money is off the books, the Sox spent it. Good for them. Let's face it, the Yankees (despite losing to Texas in the playoffs) still have a hell of a team. Add to it the fact that the Rays are stacked, and the Sox had to do something to remain relevant in the AL East.

The offensive side of the ball is pretty much set for the Sox. Projected lineup:

Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Crawford LF
Youk 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Ortiz DH
Drew RF
Scutaro SS
Saltalamacchia C

Despite being HEAVILY left-handed, this is a very potent and YOUNG lineup. You have two guys with 50+ stolen base capability, and three legit sluggers.

Now to the pitching. The starting rotation was supposed to be a strength for this team last year, but basically failed on most accounts. I am still wary of this rotation despite the names.

Beckett
Lackey
Lester
Buchholz
Matsuzaka

Beckett and Lackey last year were not dependable. Beckett started 21 games going 6-6 with a 5.78 ERA and gave up 151 hits in 127 and 2/3 innings. Lackey was durable throwing the most innings by any starter. He was 14-11 with a 4.40 ERA. Maybe the expectations were too high for him going into last season. But he was considered the 1 or 2 in the rotation originally. He was number 3 at best. At $17MM, is it not fair to expect more?

Lester and Buchholz were brilliant. Lester threw 208 innings, posted a 19-9 record with 225Ks, and a 3.25 ERA. Buchholz was 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA in just over 175 innings. Similar years are expected from both.

Matsuzaka was not great, but he is a number 5 starter that would be a 3 or 4 on most other teams, so it is difficult to complain about him in the larger picture.

Your rotation should lineup:

Lester
Buchholz
Lackey
Beckett
Matsuzaka

However, there is no way that Francona makes Beckett the number 4. Not that it matters much once you get past that first part of the season.

There is no bullpen to speak of at the moment. Bard should only improve over his very good year as a setup man. Papelbon better come in prepared this year or he'll lose that coveted closer spot to Bard. He blew 8 saves last year, and the clean innings were few if any. Maybe the competition will be good for him. Maybe not. Another proven setup man would be the way to go for the Sox making Wakefield and a Michael Bowden type the long men in the pen.

The lineup? Great
Starting Pitching? Good
Bullpen? Problematic

It Ain't Over Til...wait, it is over

Last night's loss to the Rays pretty much ended the run for the 2010 Boston Red Sox. What is left to say except that they fared better than I initially thought?

This is a team that truly was not built for the playoffs. Unfortunately, many got caught up in chasing an expensive, yet underbuilt team. I know I'll take some criticism for this, but it is true. Don't think so?

How many thought Beltre would have this year? Not many. If you thought the front office did, you're crazy. They were looking for a one year guy to get them through.

How many thought Bill Hall would have the numbers? Not many.

Granted injuries have played a major role, but I still contend that this team was not a contender. Here's the early lineup:

Ellsbury
Pedroia
V-Mart
Youk
Ortiz
Beltre
Drew
Scutaro
Cameron

Bounce the last two all over the lineup if you like. The fact of the matter is that Beltre was predicted to be this good. Ortiz has far exceeded expectations. They got LUCKY.

The bullpen has been a mess since day one.

The strength was to be starting pitching.

Beckett
Lester
Lackey
Daisuke
Buchholz

That IS a hell of a rotation. But let's consider that NO ONE was sure about Daisuke and Buchholz and the strength was in the top three. Lester is the only one worthy out of three of any praise.

Still, no one will argue (even when the Sox team is fully healthy) that the Yankees lineup is not far superior. Then go through the rotations. Then go through the bullpens.

Then take the Rays. Go through their lineup. Go through their rotation. Go through their pen.

This Sox team just isn't good enough. Even healthy, I would put forth that they would be in a similar position. Take the paper and pen away for a second and LOOK at the games against the "upper crust". The Sox look outclassed.

So what is the plan going forward....Let's discuss.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year GYS! I couldn't help but share this AWESOME painting by Veron Wells Jr. Yes, he is related to Veron Wells III who plays CF for the Toronto BJs. Thanks to Jeff Passan's informative summary of Toronto's off-season moves, I am a much happier man.