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Pitching Staff

Red Sox Pitching Staff Preview

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Red Sox Offseason so Far

So far this offseason the Red Sox have focused on improving their offense. Last year they hit 168 home runs, a huge drop-off from the year before. It was their first year without David Ortiz and players they expected to step up did not, causing the offense to struggle. This has shown that the strength of this team could be their pitching. The Red Sox pitching staff has the talent to be one of the best. They just have to be consistent.

Pitching Staff

Photo Credit: Michael Dwyer AP/ Photo

The Pitching Staff

The Red Sox have two Cy Young award winners in their rotation. Rick Porcello won the award two years ago and David Price won it in 2012. Chris Sale, arguably the best Red Sox starter, almost won the award last year. Last season these three weren’t as dominant as people expected them to be. Price dealt with injuries that derailed his season and Rick Porcello struggled all year. Sale was the only one of three who pitched to expectations. The Sox did receive a breakout year from Drew Pomeranz, who won sixteen games. Their number five starter Eduardo Rodriguez battled injuries, but when healthy showed why he was once a top prospect.

Pitching Staff

Photo Credit: Jim Mclsaac/ Getty Images

Outlook for the Starters

Next year the Red Sox starting pitchers should be better as a group. That hinges on them being healthier and for some such as Porcello and Rodriguez returning to form. Sale will put up Cy Young numbers while Price will win close to twenty games. Pomeranz should build on his breakout campaign and again win 15 or 16 games. The two wildcards are Porcello and Rodriguez. Porcello isn’t as bad as he was last year when he was one of the worst pitchers in baseball. Porcello pitches best behind a good offense, which was the main concern this offseason. The last one of the group, Eduardo Rodriguez, is extremely talented but has struggled to stay healthy. If he continues to struggle with his health his time with the Red Sox could be over.

Pitching Staff

Photo Credit: John Raoux

Bullpen

The Sox will be returning next season as a very talented group. They have Craig Kimbrel, who is one of the best, if not the best, closer in baseball. After struggling as a starter Joe Kelly showed last year that he could be a very effective reliever. Two pitchers to watch closely in this group are Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg as they are both returning from significant injuries. Both these relievers were among the best in the game before their injuries caused them to miss whole seasons. Smith missed all of 2016 before returning at the end of last season and Thornburg missed all of 2017.

Pitching Staff

Photo Credit: Chris Chavez

Final Thoughts

The Red Sox have the potential to have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. It all hinges on health and some of these players returning to form. If that happens then the Red Sox pitching could carry them which will be crucial come playoff time.

MLB FREE AGENCY: Top Five Hitters Remain

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Most major headline deals have already been wrapped up this winter.  But a fair share of impact players remain unsigned to an MLB contender. With names like Ohtani, Stanton, and Wade Davis all finding new homes, other contending teams are scrambling.  Hitting was king in 2017.  Right now, five top sluggers still need homes. Who do you think tops the list?

Honorable Mentions

Jonathon Lucroy

Lucroy heading into his age-31 season may have been more appealing two years ago. Only recording six HR in 2017, it seems the power hitting righty needs to make some adjustments at the plate. The Rockies bulking their bullpen shows their ‘win now’ mentality. Completely realistic considering last year’s run with some true superstar names on the roster. Although home runs of years past are a glaring non-predictive statistic, it is hard to lose all faith in Lucroy.  In 142 at-bats, Lucroy managed to hit a solid .310 BA with a .866 OPS in the cold mountains. In an ERA of batting statistics with not many true hitting catchers, Lucroy could find himself behind a new dish this coming spring.

Jay Bruce

With 36 HR in 2017, it seems like Jay Bruce is not a bad bat to have in the middle of the order. Although a .254 BA cannot be overlooked when it comes to Bruce, he still brings value to a ball club. It seems like most teams Bruce would audition for a DH role. And in venues that favor this lefty, he could provide quite the impact for a contending ball club. What is impressive is this 30-year-old slugger saw the peak of his career in the homerun statistics at later stages in his prime. Look for those adjustments to land him a decent contract for a contending ball club in 2018.

 

Top Five

5) Mike Moustakas

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY8Ufc-DzQI]
For many teams, Mike Moustakas popped on the radar well before this off season. Moustakas was seen as a hot commodity at the 2017 trade deadline for his unbelievable power and his improving glove in the field. In presumably his prime year at age 29, Moustakas hit 38 HR with a .272 BA. The sweeping, swinging lefty came eight at-bats shy of his season record 563, this in his second full season of major league play.  As the years go on he hasn’t slowed down, just improved and taken on more. It seemed like the writing was on the wall for a good chunk of Royals players at the end of the 2017 season. Although on a lot of teams’ Christmas lists, this gift may never leave the workshop. Moustakas showed no interest in leaving KC last season and has stated he wants no part in leaving.

Top Suitors: KC, NYY, STL

 

4)Eric Hosmer

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdXKEqoPglw]

One of the top players in this group would be Eric Hosmer, a solid player all over the diamond. Hitting his peak in WAR last season at 4.0, Hosmer provided defense/offense and experience/leadership. Many managers in the MLB praise his clubhouse presence which has been talked about for a majority of his career. Hosmer duplicated his 25 home run season of 2016 in 2017 and with that brought a .318 batting average(.266 in 2016). It’s clear Hosmer is a weapon, with a contract that may be the only scary aspect of the 28-year-old.

When Scott Boras sits across from you at the negotiation table you’ll end up with two things. An empty wallet, but a mighty fine player. It is estimated by most Hosmer will ask for six or more years with a dollar amount over $120M USD.   He has intangibles and tangibles to bolster his resume. It’s just about finding the team to go all in.

Top Suitors: COL, MIL, KC

 

3)Eduardo Nunez

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIUvlnMHWv0]
To get my personal Eduardo Nunez feelings out of the way now, I will be very upset to see him leave Boston if he does. Nunez was one of the stand-out deadline deals in the second half of the season, creating an instant impact for the Red Sox. He fulfilled a role trading the contact swing for power that Boston desperately needed going into the postseason. Nunez batted a .313 BA in 2017 with 24 steals and a .892 OPS for Boston in the second half. The 30-year-old posted a career high in doubles for 2017 with almost 100 fewer at-bats than the year prior. Not to mention Nunez is comfortable playing almost any position on the diamond, providing the flexibility any team needs. Watching Eduardo go down in game one of the ALDS against Houston was heartbreaking. How he bounces back from this injury and surgery is still to be determined, which may hurt or improve his chances of landing a large deal. Personally, I believe a Nunez deal will all be dependent on if Manny Machado is in a different clubhouse this coming season.

Top Suitors: NYY, BOS

 

2)Lorenzo Cain

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFCQ-t1y5Y4]

This past season Lorenzo Cain made his case as a top free agent known with a stand-out season. Cain hit a clean .300 in BA and came one long ball from hitting his career high of 16.  Although compared to the rest, this may not be an impressive number.  But Cain is a complete player. Bringing in a WAR of 5.3, he brought in 26 stolen bases and took a free pass to first a personal record of 54 times.

Cain continues to grow into a veteran presence at the plate, opting for selectivity when racking in his career high 175  hits in 2017. Along with all of this, Cain seems just to be a more realistic option for most teams who need a spot filled in the outfield. The center fielder is likely to receive a deal from $60M- $70M USD for what most suspect to be four years. By the end of his contract, Cain would be playing in  his age 35 season.

Top Suitors: TOR, NYY, KC, COL

 

1)J.D. Martinez

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pex6NsyKwh0]

Coming off the year of the home run, it is hard to make a case J.D. Martinez isn’t the top in his class right now in free agency. As the offseason goes by and teams watch top hitters go by, Scott Boras and his client continue to drool. The money Martinez will be looking for is not something you’ll find under in you couch during your spring cleaning spree. No, no, no.  For this money you can buy a 29-bedroom Hamptons mansion (America’s Largest) or a private island in the Bahama’s or even the Playboy mansion. The contract will be somewhere north of $200M for eight years from a 30-year-old Miami man.

Although it may seem annoying to see J.D. get that payday, the facts stand.  J.D. roped in 45 long balls last season, hitting an average of .303. Martinez was all general managers dream for in the trade deadline for years to come. Martinez brought in 29 of the 45 home runs in the second half of the season for Arizona. All this makes Mike Hazen look like a pretty smart man for orchestrating that trade at the deadline for his NL Wild Card champions. J.D. does have incredible value, and will probably get his money. Now it’s about who is signing the check? The only realistic rumbles in this man’s future have come from Boston. If Boston can not clear up the space needed to provide him a home, look for a top contender to sweep in.

Top Suitors: BOS/ If Not BOS: HOUS, LAD, STL

 

 

Jason Groome: The Next All Star Pitcher

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The 2016 12th overall pick out of New Jersey throws a lot of heat, but working with Chris Sale makes him that much deadlier.

In 2016, Jason Groome heard his name called as the 12th person in the MLB Amateur 2016 draft. After being given a $3.65 million contract with the Red Sox, the 6’6 southpaw out of Barngat, NJ came into 2017 as MLB.com’s #43 prospect. Last season, he sported a 3-9 record with a ghastly 5.69 ERA through 55.1 innings of work throughout low a and single a baseball.

He has a wide arsenal of pitches that he uses to work his counts. He has a fastball velocity range from low to mid 90s, as well as a nice power curve that glides with great movement. His tall frame works to his advantage as well. It helps give him good downhill action on his pitches, which will make the timing harder to follow. His change-up is a work in progress, as command issues have plagued that pitch in 2017.

Once he fully develops throughout the minor league system, he could be a dual threat pitcher. What could make him more valuable? Enter Chris Sale. The ace of the Red Sox has been training throughout the offseason in Florida with the young lefty. He could learn a lot from a pitcher like Sale. Sale came in second place in the Cy young voting just two months ago. He is coming off a season in which he struck out over 300 batters. If you pay close attention to both pitchers, the similarities are striking.

Both pitchers have a long, lengthy left-handed body. Even though Sale has a wider delivery than Groome, they both throw with their arms a bit to the side. This helps give them a better angle on their pitches. In Chris Sale’s case, the awkward delivery helps make the timing of the hitter off kilter at first sight. Not many pitchers have his size and delivery, while being able to whip a fastball over 95 mph.

Jason Groome will adapt after his first full season in the minors. Seeing what the pace is will help him make the right adjustments while being able to do it comfortably in the offseason. While recent pitchers such as Jordan Cote, Jacob Smith, and Josciel Verjas were released and never signed up to this point. Coming straight out of high school has its disadvantages, but they can be easy to overcome.

How far he progresses this year is up to Dave Dombrowski and company, but one things for certain. As the days, months, and years go by, expect to hear about Jason Groome. This kid is only getting better. With some hard work, could be a multiple Cy Young award winner at some point throughout his career.

Photo Cred: Baseball Hot Corner

Manny Machado Rumors Heating Up

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Are the Red Sox Going to Do Something?

The quiet Red Sox offseason so far might be heating up soon. According to reports, the Red Sox are interested in Orioles power hitter Manny Machado. Machado hit 33 home runs last season and had a batting average of .259. If the Red Sox do get Machado they would only have him for one season. Now they can do one of two things. One, the Sox get the power hitter they need and trade Xander Bogaerts to at least be competitive with the Yankees. Or they keep the team they have and just watch the Yankees walk away with the division.

Manny Machado Rumors

If the Red Sox land Machado and he works out this year, they could offer an extension to him. But if he doesn’t work out they’re back to where they started this season. The Red Sox really don’t have a farm system. Dave Dombrowski has traded away some good young talent for mediocre talent. Machado and the little leader Dustin Pedroia had some drama last season but seem to have made up since then. According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, sources say that it would be misrepresenting to suggest that the Red Sox are on the doorstep or pounding at the door.

Who Will The Red Sox Trade Away?

Jon Morosi from reported on MLB Network “Sources: showing continued trade interest in Manny Machado, as I reported this hour on in our segment with “. Will Dan Duquette do business with Dave Dombrowski and make this trade happen? That remains to be seen but the two did work together with the Montreal Expos. The Orioles put Machado on the trading block. But took him off December 20th because they weren’t happy with the offers they were getting. Andrew Benintendi isn’t going anywhere but I would trade Jackie Bradley or Bogaerts.

What MLB Can Give Me for Christmas

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Let’s be clear, I love baseball. While it no longer dominates American sports like it did before the NFL exploded in the 1990’s, baseball remains a great game. Unlike football, it is an international game and the league draws the best talent from around the world. Like the NHL being better after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the influx of the best Eastern European players to North America, Major League Baseball draws the best talent out of Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

But it is a game that can be improved. We previously talked about how baseball can improve the fans experience by fixing the pace-of-play. This article will address larger, more controversial changes that MLB should adopt to improve the quality of the game.

1. Contraction

Over-expansion in the 90’s diluted the talent pool in MLB by forcing players into The Show too early, and in some cases promoting players who previously would have topped out at AAA. This month’s fire sale in Miami only serves to highlight what we’ve known for a long time – there are franchises that are not viable and there are fan bases unworthy of teams.

Major League Baseball needs to stop the charade and eliminate both Florida franchises. Like a third world country devaluing their currency, Miami has routinely sold off their talent to cut payroll and remain solvent in a market that doesn’t support the franchise. Miami was 28th (of 30) in attendance this year.

Tampa is even worse. Tampa, last in attendance in every year since 2012, can’t fill the Trop even in years when the team is competitive. And they almost never are.

It’s lonely for fans at the Trop.

Keeping Tampa and Miami is tantamount to baseball’s welfare state. Between 2012-2015, Miami received $142M from MLB Revenue Sharing; Tampa $138M. In that same period they were 30th and 29th respectively in team payroll rank. The $142M payout from the league to the Marlins represented 57% of the total amount of players’ salaries on their 40-man roster during that same period.

Baseball should stop subsidizing teams that owners can’t afford and cities do not support.

2. Shorten the Season

Why do the “boys of summer” play baseball in the snow? This happens almost every year at the beginning of the season and, depending on who’s in the Fall Classic, could happen at the end of the season. The answer is because the season is simply too long. Major league teams play 162 games over roughly 182 days. There are only twenty off days in a season – five of which occur over the All Star “break”.

Baseball went to the 162-game season in 1962. Prior to that, beginning in 1920, it was 154 games. From 1892 until 1920, it fluctuated between 154, 132, and 140, but for 17 of those 27 years it was 154 games. Put it back.

Cutting eight games off the regular season isn’t going to save the world, but it will save almost two weeks. Between games and travel or off days, MLB can push the opening day back a week and end the regular season a week earlier. But that’s just part one.

The second way to shorten the season is to return to scheduled double headers. Baseball used to routinely schedule double headers but the 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) eliminated them except under special circumstances like a make-up game due to a rain-out.

Returning to regularly scheduled double headers will shorten series and therefore shorten the season. One regularly scheduled double-header per team, per month saves an additional six game-days, which if scheduled properly is almost ten calendar days of the season. Yes, it is hard on players – hence the ’02 CBA. However, the 2012 CBA authorized teams to expand their active rosters to 26 for double headers and, coupled with a reduction in games, the introduction of scheduled double-headers will increase off days.

3.  Automated Strike Zone

I enjoy watching Joe West, Hunter Wendelstedt, and Angel Hernandez ruin a good ballgame with inconsistent plate calls as much as the next guy. And by that I mean, not at all. Game to game, inning to inning, and at bat to at bat – strike zone variations are not just frustrating, they are unnecessary.

Embed from Getty Images

In 2016, according to PITCHf/x data from Baseball Savant, home plate umpires correctly called 82.21% of strikes. In other words, they made the wrong call almost 18% of the time. It’s frightening to think that in 2012 it was only 76.8%. Umpires have gone from C students to B-.

Why on earth do we accept this? MLB needs to invest in automated strike zone technology and limited the home plate umpires role to adjudicating swings and misses, foul ball, hit-by-pitches, and out calls. Baseball is a $10 Billion dollar industry, it shouldn’t be left in the hands of B- students.

Fewer teams will improve the leagues financials and reduce the number of not-ready-for-primetime players in the league. A shorter season will keep fans engaged. Better umpiring improves the quality of the game. That’s all I want in my stocking this year.

HOT STOVE: Which Marlins Player Should The Red Sox Pursue Now?

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JT Realmuto isn’t the slugger Red Sox faithful imagined coming to the South Shore from South Beach. As an underdog acquisition, Realmuto in Boston could have promise. JD Martinez may be the player who is on everyone’s list this holiday season, and for good reason. I believe Realmuto would come at a low price point that the Sox can easily afford, as a compliment to a Martinez deal.

Realmuto is Real Deal:

As Craig Mish reported this morning around 10 am EST, Realmuto has approached Miami’s front office about being traded. You have to imagine Jeter is licking his chops, and is ready to deal out another player.

It would not come as a surprise if most Boston fans have not heard of JT Realmuto. He is an impressive catcher, who is starting to show progress each year at the plate, in his year 26 season. Although Realmuto has yet to add any accolades to his young career, there is room to improve. To me, JT is very reminiscent of a young Jason Varitek. With the captain a new member of the Red Sox front office, it may be destiny. Varitek’s role with the organization was described as a boots on the ground position. He will be more involved with player development, rather than any behind the desk work for the Red Sox.  So, in theory, Tek could mold Realmuto into the leader he was, but that seems like another Red Sox dream that is too good to be true.

The tough part of this trade, is the realization that Christian Vazquez isn’t the catcher of the future.  Vazquez does have incredible value right now, coming off the season he had last year. But five home runs for the worst power team in the league doesn’t seem like a solution for 2018. Vazquez’s batting statistics are improving, and defensive metrics are sublime. Yet the two catchers are identical in age, and Realmuto checks more boxes in his MLB progression than Vazquez. Realmuto more than doubles most of Vazquez’s run production at the plate. Finding a catcher who can produce those numbers is valuable and realistic, especially when their first name isn’t Buster.

youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZpZBJQwkeY

(all sporst NEWS)

Why Not Yelich:

To me, this seems a bit more realistic and practical than any trades for Christian Yelich.  Yelich does have more  superstar status than Realmuto, but what Yelich provides is no different than what you’d trade to get the silver slugger outfielder.

Personally, these statistics are not drastically different than Realmuto. The Red Sox outfield, compared to catching, has a bit more stability. The Red Sox rumored to trade Jackie Bradley Jr. in a Yelich deal, which to me seems like insanity. The benefits in getting Yelich may be in his two years of youth that JBJ may not have, but the stats between these two aren’t drastically different enough for me to press the big red button on Yelich.

It would be ideal for Red Sox fans see JD and JT under the tree this winter. This period in the offseason is hopefully the quiet before the storm of Red Sox trades. If these aren’t the guys on your Red Sox holiday list, who would you like to see in Boston come spring?

 

Top Five Boston Sports Moments of 2017

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It’s December, which means 2018 is right around the corner. A lot of things happened this year in Boston sports from the Patriots winning the Super Bowl to Kyrie Irving being a Boston Celtic. Claude Julien is no longer the coach of the Bruins and the Red Sox are looking to add a power hitter after the Yankees just got Stanton. It’s been a year of up and downs the Red Sox fired John Farrell and hired Alex Cora who is coming off a World Series win with the Houston Astros. Here are my top five Boston sports moments of 2017:

5. CLAUDE JULIEN GETTING FIRED:

The same day the Patriots had their victory parade after winning the Super Bowl The Bruins fired Claude Julien. Don Sweeney spoke about firing Julien saying.

“I had come to a conclusion that in moving this group forward with an eye toward the plans that have been put in place, that I wasn’t willing to commit to a longer term basis with Claude”.

Claude didn’t really interact with the younger guys on the team. Bruce Cassidy took over and is playing the younger guys which is giving the Bruins a better shot at winning.

4. JOHN FARRELL GETTING FIRED:

John Farrell exits as Red Sox manager.

After the Boston Red Sox were eliminated from the playoffs Dave Dombrowski fired John Farrell. The reason it’s number four on this list is because it was a move that had to be made and long time coming. It’s a fact that back-to-back division wins isn’t good enough, and they needed a change. The Red Sox hired Alex Cora as the new manager going forward. In conclusion John Farrell spoke about being fired last week in an interview on MLB Network saying:

“Hey, every situation has a shelf life and a change was made. I respect the change that did take place.”

3. JIMMY GAROPPOLO GETS TRADED:

Jimmy Garoppolo got traded to the San Francisco 49ers. This came a shock to many Patriots fans as they thought he would be the successor to Tom Brady. As a result Tom Brady at age 40 seems to not be slowing down anytime soon and still playing at a high level. Jimmy Garoppolo is 2-0 as a starter for the 49ers and 4-0 lifetime as a starter. General Manager for the 49ers John Lynch spoke after the trade:

“I am extremely pleased this came together today and we all think it is a big win for our organization”.

Brian Hoyer was the old backup for the 49ers singed back with the Patriots.

2. KYRIE IRVING GETS TRADED TO THE CELTICS:

The NBA off-season was a win for the Boston Celtics. The Celtics traded for Kyrie Irving sending Isaiah Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers. When the trade happened it shocked a lot of fans around the Boston area and in Cleveland. It was obvious Irving wanted to get away from LeBron James and win on his own. The Celtics also singed Gordon Hayward. But as he looks to make it back for at least the playoffs, Irving sets the tone for the Celtics and is the leader of the team. The Celtics currently have one of the best records in the NBA.

1. THE PATRIOTS WIN SUPER BOWL LI:

Number one on this list is pretty obvious. Super Bowl LI was not only the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, it was a landmark for Tom Brady. There is no question Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time. He and the Patriots never gave up in the game. They had the right leader leading the comeback. The best part of it a the Super Bowl win after Tom Brady’s suspension. The Patriots are on a clear path this year too as they’ll win the division game AFC Championship and go to the Super Bowl again.

2017 was a great year in Boston sports and it shows that Boston is the best sports city in the country. For 2018 it will be a fun exciting and roller coaster ride for the Boston Sports teams. How will the Red Sox respond to Stanton going to the Yankees? How will Alex Cora do as the manager? Will the Patriots win the Super Bowl? Are the Bruins going to make the playoffs? Will the Celtics make the NBA Finals? We’ll find out next year!

The Yankees Became a Powerhouse

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Back in Time…

Remember in 2004  when Alex Rodriguez went to the Yankees? Everyone was saying the Red Sox would never win the World Series, but they did that year. The difference between the 2003 and 2018 Red Sox is they had power back then. The 2018 Red Sox have no power hitters and are now the Cleveland Browns of baseball. This Red Sox team just became the laughing stock of the American League East. An interesting stat: Stanton, Judge, and Sanchez had a combined 144 home runs last season. The entire Red Sox lineup hit 168 and got thrown out at the bases 70 times.

In Dave We Trust?

Dave Dombrowski now has to overspend on J.D. Martinez, who hit 45 home runs,104 RBI’s and had a .303 batting average last season. Derek Jeter gave his old team a discount to become a powerhouse while the Marlins are garbage and will have potentially give the Yankees control of the American League for years to come. Stanton wants to be on a winning team and the Red Sox didn’t want to give anyone up. New York makes sense for him, but the Red Sox really screwed themselves from being contenders in the American League East. They could’ve traded Bradley. You know that Dave wants to win in the short term, and they aren’t getting anywhere with this current Red Sox team.

Derek Jeter Just Made the Yankees a Powerhouse

The Yankees weren’t that much of a good team recently. But Derek Jeter just potentially made the Yankees a powerhouse for years to come, while Red Sox ownership just sits back and watches. I’ve been saying since Ortiz retired that the Red Sox need a bat. The Yankees have passed the Red Sox with this deal and it will show next season.  Dombrowski had the chance to make something happen. With Abreu not coming to Boston, the only option is J.D. Martinez. Enjoy baseball, Red Sox nation, because the only thing people will be singing at Fenway Park is Sweet Caroline in the eighth inning.

John Farrell Opens Up About Being Fired

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John Farrell on MLB Network

John Farrell exits as Red Sox manager.

John Farrell was fired and Alex Cora was named the new Red Sox manager. On Wednesday’s Hot Stove Show on MLB Network, Farrell opened up about his firing. He admitted that it was hard for him to accept the firing after the success he had:

“In some ways, yes, because I felt we as a team, as an organization, as a coaching staff, we were proud of the number of accomplishments that we had there. Including as you saw in 2013 and back-to-back championships in the AL East the last couple of years”.

Farrell Respects The Firing

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell speaks during a news conference, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, before his team’s workout as they prepare for Sunday’s Game 3 of baseball’s American League Division Series against the Houston Astros in Boston. (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)

Farrell had a record of 432-378 in the regular season with the Red Sox. He also talked about how everything has a shelf life:

“But hey, every situation has a shelf life and a change was made. I respect the change that did take place.”

Farrell gave credit to Alex Cora and that championships matter in this city, not just winning the division.

“Coming out of five years in which there might have been the most scrutiny on a team. On an individual player or a manager, and that’s Boston. But that’s also what draws people to those places,” he said. “The expectation is high and the ability to win is there every single year. If that’s not in your DNA, if that’s not what you aspire to do. To win then maybe those places aren’t for you.”

Farrell Gives Advice to Alex Cora and Aaron Boone

He also talked about the scrutiny that Alex Cora now faces as the manager of the Red Sox. His advice also reached out to Aaron Boone, who is the manager of the Yankees.

“They need to understand it’s the seat in which they sit in, it’s not them individually and personally. Things are going to get thrown their way just because of the job that you have.”

Farrell also said he’s talked to other teams but will take some down time. A year ago today the Red Sox singed Chris Sale. A year later they have a new manager and are looking for a power hitter.

 

BSE Week in Review

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Hey Boston Sports Extra Fans! The writing crew came through this week and worked off the post-Thanksgiving pounds, so you didn’t have to. There are many new original articles by our fantastic writers. Support and spread this Week in Review around and comment on the articles.

@PatriotExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/12/five-forgotten-classics-bills-patriots-rivalry

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/brady-better-eli-period

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/will-garoppolo-return-new-england-patriots

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/patriots-fans-nothing-worry-last-month-season

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/jardines-means-will-beat-bills

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/11/inactive-mike-gillislee

@CelticsExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/12/will-celtics-go-streaking

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/kyrie-irving-boston-may-win

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/boston-celtics-ups-downs-week-6

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-celtics/2017/11/celtics-offense-catches-fire-blowout-win-orlando

@BruinsExtra News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/12/charlie-mcavoy-gone-beyond

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/rasks-rough-start-costing-bruins

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/jake-debrusk-future-nhl-superstar

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-bruins/2017/11/short-term-solution-bruins-season

@RedSox News

https://bostonsportsextra.com/new-england-patriots/2017/12/five-forgotten-classics-bills-patriots-rivalry

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/12/trade-jackie-bradley-jr

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/12/greatest-left-fielders-red-sox-history

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/hof-case-moose-schill

https://bostonsportsextra.com/boston-red-sox/2017/11/greatest-shortstops-red-sox-history

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/roger-clemens-make-hall-fame

News from around the Sports World

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/12/rising-ashes-josh-gordons-return-gridiron

https://bostonsportsextra.com/uncategorized/2017/11/roger-goodell-fickle-father-nfl-football

https://bostonsportsextra.com/mlb/2017/11/barry-bonds-needs-hall-fame

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/unlikely-best-afc-west-emerging

https://bostonsportsextra.com/uncategorized/2017/11/analyzing-cfb-contenders-chances

https://bostonsportsextra.com/nfl/2017/11/eli-mannings-career