Brought to you by the same folks that gave you the Monster Seats, Red Sox Nation Membership Cards, and 8 dollar hot dogs; In 2011 we will be graced with the presence of Bullpen Seats!!!! *Crickets* The Sox are bringing the fences in Right Field. According to them it is a pure comfortability move for the relievers, because they are too cramped when warming up. The League recommends 29 feet wide Fenway's pens are 21. So you're looking at a cool 10 foot shallower fence in the once spacious right field.
Ya know what, do what you want with your money but don't play it off like you're doing it for the players when come to find out there may be a new quirk to this expansion. Gary Thorne (Orioles Broadcaster) has ties in the Sox organization and seems to think there will be seats in front of the bullpen. Cue the Duckboats, here's the latest attraction to charge 200 dollars per seat.
But instantly my mind starts trying to figure out why else do this other than revenue (as if that isn't their only thought, 24/7). Power. Looking at your lineup right now you're losing a 3, 5, and 6 hitter from a healthy Boston lineup. That means you need some thunder. However there is no premier slugger on the market. Here's my thought: You need a 3 hitter to bat after Dustin and before Youkilis. Crawford would seem to be a great fit in anyone's lineup nevertheless he isn't a power hitter and to hit 3rd in Boston you're going to need to hit 20 HRs a year minimum. So what do you do if a player can't hit for more power? Bring the fences in. Let's say the Sox get outbid for Crawford and need a secondary option, Jayson Werth has a right-center power stroke and moving the fences in here would be almost reminiscent of the confines in Philadelphia as far as distance. So by moving the fences in for THIS free agent class we'll call it, in a word, Insta-Thump.
How else does this affect the Red Sox lineup? Well Pedroia and Youkilis smoke line drives to right-center all the time and they are short hopping the wall or getting ground rule doubles this will allow our righties to hit for more pop as well. As for the lefties, JD Drew and David Ortiz (if option is picked up, or deal is reached) are not getting any younger and would most likely regress in their power stroke. This will enable them to continue to be productive even when the ball isn't completely scorched to put a few more runs than expected up on the board.
The Red Sox despite what they say monitor everything the Yankees do and they have seen how the launching pad in the Bronx has made their team almost unbeatable at home. Well since The Steroid Era is complete and this team is no longer a perfect fit at Fenway, the front office needs to adapt. Everyone says this lineup needs more thump and when thump isn't available via trade or free agency this is the next best thing.
Stay Tuned
Norton
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