What Valentine brings to the Red Sox contrasts rather dramatically with what Francona brought. While Francona was unassuming and not one to ruffle feathers in the clubhouse or with the front office, Valentine is unafraid to challenge the status quo. Francona's hands-off style worked well with the 2004-2007 teams, but as some of the leaders from that era either departed or saw playing time reduced and new players replaced them, leadership among the players eroded, leading to the September 2011 collapse. The Red Sox need someone like Valentine to get them back on track. A strong, assertive personality who will hold the players accountable for the success of the team is just what this team needs in 2012. That and a couple of decent starting pitchers to round out the rotation.
With Valentine aboard, the Red Sox can now concentrate on putting together the 2012 team. Pitching, both starting and bullpen, should be priority number one. The Red Sox have consistently been in the bottom half of the league in team ERA, while division rivals like the Rays and Yankees ranked near the top. Improve the pitching and the offense doesn't feel like they have to score 8-10 runs every game to win.
Aside from pitching, the Red Sox must decide what to do about right field and catcher. J.D. Drew is, in all likelihood, gone and I'm not sold on either Reddick or Kalish as the starting right fielder. Reddick's plate discipline still leaves a lot to be desired and Kalish missed almost an entire year of development with injury. Of the two, I think Kalish has the higher ceiling, but he'll most likely need some time in Pawtucket to make up for lost time. That's where a free agent, preferably a righty, would be helpful, as long as it doesn't take a Crawford-esque contract to sign him. Beltran brings a lot to the table when he's healthy, but I fear he'll rival J.D. Drew in DL time. His age would necessitate a short term (1-2 year) deal. Cuddyer would make sense if he's not too expensive in dollars and years. As for catcher, I think it's time to bid farewell to Tek and let Salty and Lavarnway split time behind the plate.
What to do about Papi? He has suitors among other AL East teams--namely the Blue Jays and the Orioles and they will dictate the market for an aging slugger who plays almost exclusively as a DH. It pains me to call him "aging" since he's only 2 short weeks older than me, but in pro sports years, that's how it goes. He had a phenomenal year in 2011, which makes it all the more of a gamble to re-sign him. Sign him to a multi-year deal and risk a sharp decline, as well as tying up the DH spot for that much longer. Let him walk and risk him continuing his recent success, but for one of the division rivals. If it were up to me, no more than a 1-year deal with a team option for a second year. If that's not enough, Lavarnway can DH when he's not catching, getting him more at-bats in the process.
Winter meetings are next week! It will be interesting to see what the Red Sox will do. I'm not expecting anything like the Gonzalez/Crawford extravaganza of last off-season, but I don't think something like that is needed this year.
