So the ever so hyped Chronicles of Pedro were about as anticlimactic as a porno starring Della Reese. I realize that Pedro can't throw 90+ anymore but when he wasn't regularly breaking 86 on the gun they were about to take a King Kong Dong right up the tailpipe. Joba Chamberlain pitched VERY effectively (whoa did I just say that?). Then it was all over but the crying, with Mo in the game. Stick a fork in the Phillies, it wasn't their year, but didn't we know this all along?
They spent the most money in the offseason (*slaps self on forehead* duh) because they wanted the championship. And the tired, sour grapes act has just about run its course, okay Sox fans? There is no salary cap. The Yankees did nothing against the rules, and although it may seem unfair that their pockets are bottomless; I can assure that with revenue sharing and all of the other disadvantages that being a juggernaut, big market team has they all even out in the wash. And if the small market teams owners would rather pocket the money instead of spending it to better their ball club (Yes I'm talking to you Pittsburgh), then so be it. They pined for a World Championship and got it. The players went through the same 162 game grueling schedule that EVERYONE else had to deal with, didn't have any significant injuries and performed at an optimum level all year. As much as we hate the Yankees, and boy do I EVER LOATHE Dumbo, I mean Jorge Posada, they still had to play the games.
Now we have reached the offseason. The Red Sox have 15 days to negotiate with Jason Bay, they need to find a middle of the order bat in addition to whomever they sign for left field, and they need to find a way to combat this Yankees stifling team. Right this very second; the Yankees are Matt Holliday and John Lackey away from having an unbeatable team for the next 5 years. Something has to be done about this. Jason Bay is not the answer for the Red Sox in left field, if you want to see a MORE in depth comparison of the two free agents here you go. Let's face it, our team is old. Not only old, but slow and mediocre in many facets of the game. Defense being the foremost issue. Alex Gonzalez has proved to be a stalwart at shortstop but unless he is willing to take a pay cut is there really the need for him? Where's Pokey Reese when you need him?
With Regards to pitching Dave D'onofrio had some interesting things to say. Realistically what we need is not Felix Hernandez, unless we get him at a cheap price (like Buchholz and Bowden straight up) but I don't think that's going to happen so we would be best served looking into Ben Sheets. Make sure his shoulder passes a physical and you are getting yourself a workhorse on the mound and a competitor to boot. Think John Lackey with a few more MPH on his fastball and a heavier sinker. Sounds good to me!
There needs to be personnel changes, some will be difficult to do because as fans we have an affinity for the fan favorites (hasta la lluego Mike Lowell), but what everyone seems to forget is that this is STILL a business and when there is dead weight, it needs to be cut for the business to prosper. I love what Mike Lowell brings and brought to Boston, I commend him for taking a "hometown discount" when he could have gotten more money and more years with the Phillies, but his range has depreciated so much so that it's a liability for a team that NEEDS to improve its defense.
Stay Tuned
Ryan
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