The Boston Red Sox usually does a good job when it comes to retooling and trying to keep up with the New York Yankees. They should, it is as important of a skill for the front office now than ever before.
Ever since the Tampa Bay Rays wedged their way into the penthouse of the AL East, things have been tough on both the Yankees and Red Sox. Since then, every year now it is clear that one of the two power teams might not make the playoffs.
They did a better job getting good players in this edition of the hot stove than the rival Yankees have. But there will be very tough competition this year.
Starting Rotation
1. Josh Beckett
2. Jon Lester
3. John Lackey
Want to know how to piss off Red Sox fans? Say that their starting rotation is two notches ahead of the New York Yankees, then say that they are a notch below the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox have two studs, (Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester) one pitcher that wasn’t spectacular but might be a bit better this year, (John Lackey) a pitcher that had just fallen apart both health wise and pitching wise, (Daisuke Matsuzaka) and then Josh Beckett. Beckett needs a bounce back year if the Red Sox are going to have their rotation carry the team this year.
Bullpen
P1: Daniel Bard
P2: Bobby Jenks
P3: Dan Wheeler
What if I told you that the Boston Red Sox, given their injury problems that plagued them all last year, finished the seas only six games out of a playoff spot? Then I tell you that their All Star closer Jonathan Papelbon blew a total of eight saves and lost seven of them?
Would it justify trying to sign Mariano Rivera of the hated Yankees? Paps should bounce back or be traded trying. Daniel Bard looks in line to be the new closer should the Sox decide to save their money. They might have gone overboard with the signing of Bobby Jenks, we’ve seen what happens when former closers pitch in Boston. Signing Dan Wheeler was a very smart move.
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