The Red Sox' 2008 season was long and arduous and it pointed to some areas where they need to improve in the offseason to remain competitive in what has to be the toughest division in all of MLB:
1. Catcher: This is 'Tek's walk year and to say the Sox have a huge decision to make would be an understatement. The stats back up his value behind the plate, particularly with the pitching staff, but offensively he's just plain out of gas, especially from the left side. Seeing as the majority of his at-bats are from that side, that's trouble. An automatic out's worth of trouble, sadly. The Sox are hurting for a catcher with some pop in his bat who can also call a good game and throw runners out. The best prospect they have at this position, Mark Wagner, is at least a year away from being ready for the majors. If they let 'Tek walk, they're going to need a catcher who can step in and be effective right away. Even if 'Tek re-signs, they'll need to bring on a new catcher to learn the ropes from 'Tek and relieve him of some starts.
2. Wake: Tim Wakefield is a class act and he has given so much to the Red Sox in his 13 years on the team. That said, his effectiveness is declining and he requires a personal catcher to handle the knuckler. Given the situation the Sox are in with catchers (see #1), they really can't afford to carry Wake and Cash, especially if 'Tek stays on and mentors a new, young catcher. Also, if the Sox add another starter via free agency or trade and they also want to bring either Buchholz or Bowden into the rotation, there wouldn't be enough room for Wake in the rotation. The catcher situation makes moving him to the bullpen an undesirable option. The Sox need to have four pitchers that can perform well in the post-season and, unfortunately Wake has not been able to do that in the past two years.
3. Starting Rotation: It looks like the Sox could use a fourth (or better) starter and rumors are flying about Peavy, Sabathia, Burnett, etc. Each of those options have their pros and cons, but that's another blog entirely. Assuming Beckett comes to spring training in better shape than he did this year (API calling!) and is able to remain healthy and regain his 2007 form, he's the #1. Lester is a solid #2 A 2007-ish Beckett and a 2008-ish Lester would be a formidable 1-2 righty-lefty punch. Dice-K and possible trade/FA acquisition can duke it out for #3 and #4 and either Wake (see #2) or Buchholz/Bowden/Masterson for #5.
4. Bullpen: If Masterson remains a reliever, he and Oki can share set-up duty for Paps. That leaves us with Lopez, Delcarmen and Aardsma. I'm not sure how long Aardsma's contract is but if it was only for a year, the Sox will hopefully let him walk, since he never could establish location, though he had good velocity. One possibility to explore in spring training is Hunter Jones, currently with the Pawsox. Finding good relievers via trade or FA can be tricky, so if they can get a bullpen arm or two internally, a la Masterson, that would help them a lot.
5. Offense: Game 7 of the ALCS was lost by lack of offense, plain and simple. Getting rid of the distraction that was Manny was a very good thing, absolutely the right thing to do for the team, but the offense did take a loss when it comes to a bat that sends a chill up a pitcher's spine. Bay, Youk, and, when they weren't injured, Lowell and Drew are all great hitters with power, but the Sox could use that awe-inspiring bat, especially with a diminished Papi who has been fighting more than his share of injuries lately. Teixeira would be that kind of bat, but acquiring him would take some maneuvering of the Sox infield. Teix is a first baseman and I don't believe he'd want to come to a new team and have to play a new position. That would mean moving Youk to third and Lowell's the odd man out. Lowell is another class act and great team player that the Sox would be loath to lose. Since he only plays one position and is still a starter-quality player, the bench doesn't seem like a good option.
Holliday is another possibility, especially if either Coco or Ells get moved. Move Bay to center and have Holliday play left. Coco/Ells (whoever stays) is the fourth outfielder. Of course, you sacrifice a little speed on the base paths, especially if it's Ellsbury who stays. Holliday would require giving up a good bit, especially in terms of prospects. Let's just say I don't envy Theo's position. There will be a lot of tough choices to make this off-season, but if they make the team more competitive, especially against the young, healthy, and powerful Rays, then so be it.
LET'S GO 2009 RED SOX!!!
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