2010 finds the Red Sox in what has become an unfamiliar position, at least recently: looking up at the New York Yankees. With the Yanks now ruling as the reigning AL East and World Series champions, it is now the Red Sox’s turn to play catch-up. Baseball in Boston has come to mean reloading, and not rebuilding-so the goal for 2010 is what it has been for some time-World Series or bust. The Sox look strong in pitching, have a solid lineup, but they are not without questions. The main one being, do they have enough to overtake the Yankees and reclaim the top spot in baseball?
With the acquisition of John Lackey, the Red Sox can boast three high quality starters at the top of the rotation, with staff ace John Beckett and lefthander Jon Lester. Daisuke Matsuzaka is still rounding into form after being injured for most of last season; if he is able to return to his form from 2007, that gives the club another formidable starter. For the time being, the last two spots in the rotation will likely be filled by Clay Buchholtz and 43 year old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who apparently will be pitching well into the next millennium at these rates. As long as the rotation stays healthy, opponents should find the going tough against the starters. The back end of the bullpen is set, with Jonathan Papelbon as closer. A key will be how the pitchers perform as a bridge to Papelbon-Hideki Okajima is set as the lefty setup man, but others such as Boof Bonser, Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen and Brian Shouse will have to step up when called. If the middle relief can be as solid as the starters and Papelbon, the Sox will go far.
On offense, the Red Sox will have some new faces in the lineup. Jason Bay has taken his big bat to the New York Mets, but the Red Sox still have some great offensive parts on the team. Start with Dustin Pedroia, the one-time AL MVP; Jacoby Ellsbury who led the AL in steals for the second consecutive season as well as Kevin Youkilis, J.D. Drew and David Ortiz. Add in Victor Martinez, who was acquired last season around the trading deadline mostly for his bat, along with new acquisitions Adrian Beltre, Mike Cameron and Marco Scutaro and the lineup has undergone somewhat of a makeover. Martinez has pushed captain Jason Varitek to the bench, but he figures to get time when Martinez is given DH duties. Mike Lowell, a mainstay at third, will now make room for Beltre, a considerable defensive upgrade. Will the three new players fill the void lost by losing Bay, who was the biggest run producer for the Sox last year? If they can, expect the Sox to make a run for the division title and beyond. Defensively, the Red Sox will be better in the outfield with Cameron in center, as well as on the left side of the infield with Scutaro and Beltre. Martinez will either be level with or worse than Varitek behind the plate. Youkilis is a fine fielder at first and Pedroia is solid at second. If the defense falters, it will be a bumpy ride for the Sox in 2010.
I’ll take the wait and see approach with the Red Sox-they certainly have the pieces in place to make another run at a world title. A lot depends on the competition in the division-can the Yanks make another run with their aging core? Have the Rays done enough to bounce back from 2009? Can the Orioles and Blue Jays do anything to knock the top three off-stride, if only for a few games? Time will tell.
I think the Red Sox have what it takes to overtake the Yankees this year. One of these years, the Yankees age has to catch up to them and I like what Boston has done with their team. Also, not sold on that Yankees' rotation…ACE – Sabathia, no doubt. AJ Burnett? Lot of money for a 13 game winner. Joba? 4.75 ERA- nice. Petitte? How much gas left in his tank? Of course the hGh could keep him going for a while. Vazquez? He's interesting…not bad.
But all in all, I think the Sox have it all over them in terms of pitching. It's still the best series in baseball when the Yankees and Sox play.
One of these days that age will catch up with New York. I thought it would be last season and obviously I was wrong. The Sox are gonna finish on top of the East this year…I don't make predictions as solid as Bruz (no records here). But I'll throw it out there, that the Sox are on top with that pitching.
I'm not impressed with Burnett, Joba and Pettite is ancient!
C'mon
Zach
You are too much man.
The Yankees are still ridiculously talented and will be in the playoffs once again.
You really thought last season age would catch up with them when they signed CC/Burnett/Tex?
Mark, glad to be providing you some entertainment…but read a little more carefully.
I never said anything about the Yanks not making the playoffs. But I thought they overpaid for Burnett and that their team was aging to the point where they would finish in 2ND in the East.
Zach
My point was the Yankees were the prohibitive favorites to win the World Series last year.
I have a hard time seeing how you thought age was somehow a factor with them.
My statement about the playoffs was about this season, not last.
I didn't say you thought they wouldn't.
What's funny is that we're arguing over something that I admitted I was wrong about.
But if I need to explain I will do so. I didn't think the Yankees would win the WS because they had some great players, but old players. I didn't expect a guy like Pettite to make it all the way through the season.
I was wrong. I admit it.
There's lot of talent, my question was at what point does it start to break down?
Talented? Extremely.
Questioning of their age? In my opinion, justified.
The 2009 Yankees starting lineup featured: 38 year old Jorge Posada, 36 year old Johnny Damon, 35 year old Matsui, 35 year old Jeter, 34 year old A-Rod, and a 39 year old closer.
Most guys at this age are definitely in decline, but this is an usual bunch.
I would think it fair to wonder if last year's everyday lineup was good enough to compete with the Red Sox who had 7 starters 33 years old or younger- Lowrie – 25, Ellsbury-26, Pedroia – 26, Youklis-30, Bay-31, Ortiz – 33 (maybe?!?), Drew – 33.
I think that the Blowsox are the team to beat in the East. Lackey, Beckett, Lester stack up nicely against the Yankees. Ortiz could end up being the difference…if he plays like last year, the Yankees could overtake them, but I think David is going to come up BIG.
Great minds think alike.