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.
Whoa, we still have a blog? Wow. Good memory!
ReplyDelete(Whoa, the Red Sox are still playing?)
Yes. I think that the Sox winning made the blog kind of boring for a while. There weren't any "Why do they suck and what can they do about it" type arguments to be made.
ReplyDeleteLet's bring the GYS sexy back...
My goodness, it's been a LONG time. I still post every day at my blog if the Sox win or if they lose. It's nice to be back and say hello.
ReplyDeleteWithout the numerous injuries, Boston would have firmly been in the "wild card seat." Such is life. I wish you posted more. Peter
Well, I guess in the long run, it really does not matter. But I really do think the key to this team's struggles was the bullpen.
ReplyDeleteI'm not concerned with who I expected to do well and such. They played the way they played.
The offense was fine even with all the injuries. Second in baseball in runs scored (granted NY were first). The rotation had some let downs, but they were the only AL East team with 2 aces. The starters ERA was 4.17 . Not great. But definitely not bad. Rotation was better than NY. All year.
So it was the pen that really let them down. From Paps all the way down to oki, ramon, manny not one of them stepped up. The pen had the 3rd worst ERA in AL (only KC and BAL were worse).
Plan going forward?
Sign one of V-Mart or Beltre.
Exercise option on Ortiz (or sign to 2 year deal)
Figure out catcher if not VMart (salty for real? Go get Russel Martin?)
See if you can get anything of value for Lowrie or Elsbury (don't give them away, but find a Ramon Ramirez for Crisp type of deal)
Bring in 4 guys for the pen to see if one or two can stick in 7th
Not one glaring need beside the pen. But there could be a lot of moving pieces.