Let's face it: The 2014 Red Sox cannot realistically be considered contenders at this point. This season has been maddening, frustrating, and disappointing in every way that it was surprising, exciting, and uplifting last year. Everything that went thrillingly right in 2013 has gone horribly wrong in 2014. There is no Savior of the Season waiting to suit up for the Olde Towne Team. The time has come to call 2014 the dreaded "Rebuilding" or "bridge" year.
Ben Cherington and the front office made some mistakes in the offseason. They brought a reputed clubhouse pariah aboard in AJ Pierzynski. They rolled too many dice (Sizemore, Jackie Bradley, Jr and to some extent, Victorino, with his injury history) in the outfield without a reliable backup plan. John Farrell has made some mistakes as well, such as over-relying on Jonny Gomes, even against righties, to the detriment of Daniel Nava. Nava struggled to start the year, but he's shown signs of regaining his stroke. That's not enough to ignite a moribund offense, but he shouldn't be disregarded against right-handed pitchers in favor of Gomes, who is miserable against northpaws.
As wrong as the offense has gone this season, save for one Brock Holt, some things have gone right with the pitching. Heading into last night's game, the Red Sox were ranked third in the league in ERA. Save for a few blowouts that happen to all teams, starting pitching has been a strength for the Red Sox, especially when Brandon Workman and Rubby De La Rosa were in the rotation instead of Felix Doubront and Clay Buchholz. Burke Badenhop has proved a valuable reliever and Koji, except for his recent struggles with the long ball, has been his usual dominant self. Lester and Lackey have been very solid at the top of the rotation (save for Lackey getting shelled last night). Peavy is clearly on the downside, but while Workman and De La Rosa were pitching every five days, he was the only weak link in the rotation. The young pitching is something to build on for 2015.
Jon Lester has his shortcomings (his hot temper with the umpires being one of them), but unless the Red Sox pony up for the likes of Max Scherzer, they are well-advised to re-sign Lester to hold down the top spot in the rotation. Peavy will be off the books and Doubront is running out of chances with this team. Who knows how Buchholz will perform, giving the wild variations he is prone to? Lackey is on the books for the league minimum next year, which could make him trade bait if the Red Sox aren't planning on extending him. Therefore, several rotation spots could be up for grabs for 2015. De La Rosa and Workman are at the head of the line for those spots, followed by Allen Webster, Anthony Ranaudo, and Matt Barnes.
What can the Red Sox do to improve the offense for 2015? The outfield is the place to start. If Bradley cannot make the necessary adjustments for hitting consistently at the major league level, then the best candidate for center field is Mookie Betts (provided he can make those adjustments when he comes up). Victorino has been unable to stay healthy, so right field may be an area of need as well. The Sox sorely need a power hitter who can hit, at the very least .260 and 25 HR on the season. The farm doesn't have much in the way of a power-hitting outfielder, so it's up to Cherington to find that kind of bat through a trade or free agency.
The left side of the infield also needs to be worked out. Holt, as great as he's been this year, is best used as a super utility player in the Ben Zobrist mold. Middlebrooks has power, but can't hit for a decent average. Cecchini, at least at AAA, can hit for average, but is not known for power. They need to decide of Bogaerts is their third baseman or shortsop. If he's ticketed for third, then Cecchini is a trade chip. Middlebrooks, if he can get it together at the plate, could be moved to the outfield.
Now for behind the plate. The sooner the Red Sox get rid of Pierzynski, the better. He could be having a Bobby V-like effect on the team. Christian Vazquez looks to be an excellent defender with a highly questionable bat (Hello, Jackie Bradley Jr!). Blake Swihart has a more well-rounded skill set, but may not be ready by the beginning of the 2015 season.
Once the front office rids itself of the delusion that the Red Sox can contend this year, they can think about being sellers at the deadline and seeing what the likes of Betts, Cecchini, and Vazquez
can do for the team going forward. There are too many holes to fix by being buyers at the deadline. The rest of the season is going to be more of the same depressing, frustrating grind, but if they can win (or at least contend for) a World Series in 2015 like they did last year after a miserable 2012, it will be worth it.
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