I realize it has been a while since my last post, but I took my out frustrations over last year's baseball season on this blog. I was so unhappy with the Red Sox that I feared what I might write. I thought, better just leave it alone until 2012. Now here we are, mid-February, with the promise of a new season warming the hearts of baseball fans everywhere (unless they root for the Mets). This off-season saw a lot of changes throughout baseball, but I want to focus on my team, the Boston Red Sox.
So Long Tito
This one hurt. Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about Terry Francona. And if you don't know me? I love Tito. I think he is a great manager and an even better person. So yes, I was upset for a while after Tito resigned. I may or may not have cried to Adele's
Somone Like You throughout the entire month of November.
Tito, we'll always have Spring Training 2010
where I stared at you all game and took 80 pictures just like the one posted above
And what made matters worse was the Red Sox hired Bobby Valentine. Yes, he is a no-nonsense type of guy, which is exactly what the Red Sox need after last season's beer and fried chicken debacle. But after listening to Valentine on Baseball Tonight and Sunday Night Baseball, I just don't agree with anything he says. I was pushing for Dale Sveum for Red Sox manager, but former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein snatched him up for the Cubs.
Which leads me to my next topic...
Ben Cherington
Maybe I need to give him more of a chance, but I am not too thrilled about any of Ben Cherington's offseason moves. I am happy he didn't even try to re-sign Jonathan Papelbon ($50 million is a ridiculous amount of money), but between signing Bobby Valentine and trading Josh Reddick, I just don't know what he is thinking. Josh Reddick was the first prospect I ever "discovered." Usually I become a fan of a player once he makes it to the Majors, but after going to Spring Training a few years ago and seeing Reddick play, I knew he was something special. I followed him through the Minors, rooted for him (and his nerd goggles) when was called up to the Red Sox and truly thought he was the right fielder of the future.
Josh Reddick and his nerd goggles
The worst part about the Reddick trade is that Cherington arranged it so he could acquire closer Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics.
Which leads me to my final point...
To Close or Not To Close, That Is The Question
Whether or not The Bard (Daniel Bard, that is) should be the Red Sox closer was a topic of hot debate this offseason. Personally, I think the decision to put Bard in the starting rotation is the wrong one. A set-up guy and a closer can get away with two pitches, but a starter? No way.
Does this guy look like a starting pitcher to you?
Bard is going to need to develop a third pitch if he is going to be an effective starting pitcher. He is also going to have to ease up on his fastball. Throwing 98 MPH for an inning is one thing, but to throw that consistently and effectively over 7 innings is highly unlikely. Besides, you need to do more than throw hard to be a starter. Batters will time your pitches by their second or third at-bats, that's why movement and multiple pitches are more important for a starter than overall speed. Also, Bard has no experience as a starting pitcher. CJ Wilson was a reliever who made the transition to the starting rotation, but he was also a starter in the Minor Leagues and Bard was not. I may eat my words come September, but if you ask me Bard should be in the bullpen, not the starting rotation.
So this is my rant about the Red Sox tumultuous offseason. Hopefully the 2012 season will prove to be a good one for the Sox, and baseball in general.
Until next time...
