So, Joel Hanrahan. Talk about an underwhelming move. And it feels like we've made this same move at least twice since Papel-douche left. Acquire the closer from a small market team to come into the big boy division and be the closer. Oh and he has medical concerns and/or a bad history against the AL East. Even better. Andrew Bailey. Check. Mark Melancon. Check. This feels exactly the same.
Every article I've read talks about how Hanrahan's velocity was down last year. And his walks were up.
Frankly it feels like we traded Mark Melancon for the second coming of Mark Melancon. Oh and we threw in two of the Dodger prospects we got, along with Stolmy who ahs shown some slow developing progress over the years.
I am sure they know more than me, but would the Sox have been worse off keeping Melancon and hoping one of the kids develops? Or use them for a piece that the Sox really need?
I agree. However, they have bullpen depth right now. I think Hanrahan is an upgrade over Melancon. Maybe not a big one, but an upgrade.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the Sox got a highly-rated infield prospect in Brock Holt. I am not saying that is who they were after (it has already been said Hanrahan is their closer). Holt is supposed to be a leadoff type guy/middle infielder.
I also think that they didn't care much about any of the guys they got in the Dodgers deal (exceptions...the two pitching prospects they've held on to), and they were happy to let them go.
I'd still like to see them add a bat. Honestly, the best move they could make at this point is give up on Napoli and pursue Adam LaRoche.
In no particular order:
Ellsbury
Victorino
Pedroia
Ortiz
LaRoche
Middlebrooks
Gomes
Saltalamacchia/Ross/Lavarnway
Drew
Looking at that makes me feel like there is a pitching deal going on somewhere. They've added another middle infielder in Holt, and they are carrying three catchers (which are a commodity). They've also got some depth in the minors, and maybe a starter in Morales to package away.
If they add LaRoche and an arm, I think this team is strong. With Napoli and the starting staff as is, not so much...
Is closer to Cherrington what SS was to Theo?
ReplyDeleteIn about 13 months, the Sox have had four closers - Melancon, Bailey, Aceves, Bailey again and now Hanrahan.
Well, we can't say we have the SS thing worked out, yet, either.
ReplyDeleteAlso, is it fair to say that Ben is following the early Theo model. He got a lot of good guys that performed out of their minds in Boston. Bill Mueller? Millar? Ortiz? He also traded Nomar...(which I don't think this was the catalyst to winning it all...or the Varitek mashing A-Rod's face).
The starting lineup for that Sox team was (in no order):
Varitek
Ortiz
Manny
Pokey Reese
Gabe Kaplar
Damon
Mueller
Millar
Bellhorn
Can one say for sure that this year's Sox couldn't have a good chemistry that allows for the same type year?
They had two pitchers with a sub-4.00 ERA in Schilling and Pedro. Arroyo was a touch over 4, Wakefield was a 4.89 and Lowe was a 5.42.
They had a million backend arms in Timlin, Embree, Foulke, Williamson, Myers, etc...Seriously they had close to 20 different guys out of the pen over the 2004 campaign.
I will conclude with this...the approach is eerily similar. Add an All-Star closer and have a very deep pen. Have two strong guys at the front of the rotation (Lester, Buchholz) and every other start capable of being better than .500. One guy that can eat innings (Dempster). A lineup full of good character guys with potential upside...
I will also say this. They brought in Ross (a guy who is excellent behind the plate and one of the best game callers around) to handle the pitching staff. I bet he gets a ton of time back there.
Overall, I think they are looking for this recipe to bring another run...
Also, the Sox must read our blog. See?
ReplyDeleteI will start by admitting (as usual) that, until proven otherwise, I hate this team. And while I *could* understand the argument for optimism, I think it is a bit of stretch at this point.
ReplyDeleteThose 2003 and 2004 teams were pretty awesome. The two things I see the current crop lacking are a middle of the lineup force (Manny and Ortiz) and top of the rotation starters.
As far as the starters go, I guess you could make the argument that Lester and Buch could become the 1-2 punch that carry the team. The counterpoint is that each could just as easily suck again next year.
As far as the middle of the order pop. Its just not there. Granted the game has changed, but this lineup just doesn't have it.
And yes, the bullpen does appear to have depth. Hopefully that translates.
As far as the chemistry guys coming through, I just think 03-04 was a perfect storm. They might be following the same blueprint. Whether they get the same result is a different question. Meuller, Ortiz, Kapler even Damon (though not a scrap heap guy) all having career bests in OPS+ and WORP.
so are Victorino, Laroche/Napoli, and one other guy (Gomes, Salty?) going to all step it up and put up career years?
If I have time this weekend, I'll try to run an apples to apples comparison of 2004 to 2013 (projected). As much as I'd like to think that they come close, my guess is the 2013 team comes up far short. They're going to need some big surprise years. Or an addition or two to the lineup as currently constructed.