Granted it's probably my own fault for listening, but I am damn tired of hearing Red Sox fans call up talk radio (WEEI), griping about how the Red Sox cannot compete with the offense of the Yankees. With(out) due respect, go construct your team on a video game because you clearly have no idea what you're talking about. Whether or not they get a bat (that they do in fact need), all you need to do is get in the tournament, and you have a shot. If you look at how they are constructed right now you have to say that they are better than last year.
- Better SS defense/offense
- Better all around outfield Defense
- Deeper and more improved starting pitching
- A full season of a productive catcher
These were 4 areas last year that were hampering the abilities for our team to win. Shortstop, as everyone has had beaten into their head, has been a revolving door and even though Scutaro isn't the big name that some people are secretly (or not so secretly) pining for, but the fact of the matter is he will stabilize the defense and won't be the absent presence that Jed Lowrie and Nick Green were last year. He is also a productive bat in the lineup. He won't break the bank with homers or ribbies, but he is another, "keep the line moving" guy that fits the Red Sox mold to a tee.
I don't care how Old Mike Cameron is, there are less than a handful of center fielders that get better jumps on the ball than our new acquisition. And if you want to be concerned about him running into one of the numerous nooks and crannies that are all over Fenway Park that's one thing, but his bat would equal if not exceed what Mike Lowell would give us but also add 25 steals instead of C3PO running the bases.
John Lackey was a surprise, and a brilliant move that gives you potential trade bait or just a quality group of insurance if someone is to get hurt. If he stays healthy, he's the key to Red Sox success. He will be the "#3" starter and that gives us the top rotation in baseball, and a PROVEN October pitcher. So for all you saying that the Yankees acquistion of Vazquez is equal to Lackey, remember the last time Vazquez took the mound against the Red Sox in October? I seem to recall a piss rocket (319 footer) hit for a grand slam in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS. John Lackey just shut our team down AND the Yankees in consecutive series and is now as healthy as he has been in years. Look for 14-17 wins out of your number 3 starter, and that is not equaled by ANYONE in baseball.
Victor Martinez was acquired at the trade deadline last year and immediately became the other "heart and soul" of the team along with Dustin Pedroia, and the ghost of Jason Varitek. He will hit .300, club around 30 round-trippers, and drive in 100 runs. The backstop defense is still an issue no matter who is behind the plate, with the catchers we have on this roster. By the way I could EASILY fix Victor Martinez and his throwing woes and there will be no Rube Baker references, but unfortunately that is neither here nor there. Throw him in the 3-5 spot depending on any other free agents or trade candidates we sign and you get a legit middle of the order threat.
Is our offense still an issue? Yes. We need to re-sign Bay, OR sign Matt Holliday at the very least unless there is a trade in the works for some big name player. Jeremy Hermida is going to surprise some people this year. Calling it right now that he has 15 HRs even as a non-starter. Our bullpen, as it stands right now needs 1-2 arms, Manny DelCarmen needs to be truncated, and of the 1-2 arms needs to be a lefty. Other than that our roster is set up to win at least 95 games once again. Then your opposition has to face a trilogy of shitfests with Lester, Beckett, and Lackey in succession in the playoffs, and don't NOBODY want to face that. EVEN the Yankees.
Stay Tuned
Ryan
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