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- Aug 31, 2011
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I, for one, am not optimistic about the prospects for the Sox this year. It may seem strange with them just having swept two from the Phillies that I would be feeling negative. However, winning two straight from the team with the worse record in baseball in extra innings at home is less than impressive. Who is to blame for this lackluster team? I think it is Dombrowski. I am not thrilled with John Farrell as manager but Dombrowski has not left him with some big holes. The biggest problem going forward is lack of offense. They are dead last in all of baseball in home runs and the GM should have seen this coming. David Ortiz, their power hitter and club house leader, retired with no replacement.
The pitching. They have one of the best starters in Chris Sale and arguably the best reliever in baseball in Craig Kimbrel. After that things are not so good. Rick Porcello apparently forgot how how to pitch. He was great last year but this year he is getting pounded. He may lead all of baseball in hits allowed. David Price is still not looking like he did a few years ago and is very inconsistent. His salary and lack of ability to perform in the post season just makes things worse. Eduardo Rodriguez has pitched will but seems to have a chronic knee injury that just won't go away.Drew Pomeranz has a great curve but usually is at his pitch limit by the fifth inning. The bullpen has done well considering the personnel (other than Kimbrel) but maybe heading for an implosion due to over work. Their two big acquisitions - Tyler Thornburg and Carson Smith are still on DL and no one knows when they will be available.
The position players. The Sox are blessed with young talent at several positions. Betts, Bradley and Benintendi should be a great outfield for the foreseeable future. They can all hit, field and throw but none of them is a true power hitter. Thornburg has been a pleasant surprise at first base and no one is better than Pedroia at second. Bogaerts also is a very good hitter and a solid fielder but with surprisingly little power for his size. The catchers - Leone and Vazquez - are good defensively and adequate at best offensively. The gaping hole is third base. The Panda continues to be a disappointment both offensively and defensively and it's time to move him if they can. A third baseman who could hit with power and field reasonable well would be ideal. I think it is also time to consider moving Hanley. He is not providing the power that a DH should supply and his refusal to play first base is disturbing. He has been a club house problem in the past and is likely to become one again. Last year he had David Ortiz to reign him in but this year there is no one including his manager. John Donaldson would be ideal but it would take a lot to convince the Blue Jays to trade him.
The pitching. They have one of the best starters in Chris Sale and arguably the best reliever in baseball in Craig Kimbrel. After that things are not so good. Rick Porcello apparently forgot how how to pitch. He was great last year but this year he is getting pounded. He may lead all of baseball in hits allowed. David Price is still not looking like he did a few years ago and is very inconsistent. His salary and lack of ability to perform in the post season just makes things worse. Eduardo Rodriguez has pitched will but seems to have a chronic knee injury that just won't go away.Drew Pomeranz has a great curve but usually is at his pitch limit by the fifth inning. The bullpen has done well considering the personnel (other than Kimbrel) but maybe heading for an implosion due to over work. Their two big acquisitions - Tyler Thornburg and Carson Smith are still on DL and no one knows when they will be available.
The position players. The Sox are blessed with young talent at several positions. Betts, Bradley and Benintendi should be a great outfield for the foreseeable future. They can all hit, field and throw but none of them is a true power hitter. Thornburg has been a pleasant surprise at first base and no one is better than Pedroia at second. Bogaerts also is a very good hitter and a solid fielder but with surprisingly little power for his size. The catchers - Leone and Vazquez - are good defensively and adequate at best offensively. The gaping hole is third base. The Panda continues to be a disappointment both offensively and defensively and it's time to move him if they can. A third baseman who could hit with power and field reasonable well would be ideal. I think it is also time to consider moving Hanley. He is not providing the power that a DH should supply and his refusal to play first base is disturbing. He has been a club house problem in the past and is likely to become one again. Last year he had David Ortiz to reign him in but this year there is no one including his manager. John Donaldson would be ideal but it would take a lot to convince the Blue Jays to trade him.