Tag Archives: Red Sox

The Case for Xander Bogaerts Hitting Leadoff

The end of the 2017 season was disappointing for the Red Sox. The team looked worn down and crawled to the finish line. Not much went right in the last month, as the Red Sox were quickly eliminated from postseason contention. However, there was one good development from that September. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts became the leadoff hitter, and he thrived in the role. Moving forward, the Red Sox should keep Xander Bogaerts hitting leadoff.

The Case for Xander Bogaerts Hitting Leadoff

Boston will most likely have Mookie Betts be the leadoff hitter, and it’s hard to call if it that’s the wrong move or not. Betts has been the primary leadoff hitter since 2015, and has done a great job with the role. Mookie’s been the leadoff hitter 190 times in the past two seasons. He finished second in MVP voting in 2016 and established himself as one of the best ballplayers in baseball, so it’s clearly working for him.

Moving Mookie Down

Mookie Betts will perform regardless of his spot in the order

Image credit: USA Today

However, Mookie may be too good of a hitter to be leadoff. Mookie has the most home runs on the Red Sox since 2015. While he won’t be the best power bat now that the Sox have J.D. Martinez, he’s still too powerful for the leadoff spot. With Mookie hitting first, there aren’t as many runners to drive in. If Mookie were moved down to third in the lineup, he would typically have more runners on base, and thus could use his power to drive in more runs.

Some players, for whatever reason, don’t perform as well when moved in the lineup. Historically, Mookie hasn’t had that problem. Mookie’s shifted down in the lineup before, and he’s remained essentially the same hitter. In 2017, he posted a .266/.341/.474 slash line when hitting first compared to a .270/.355/.461 line when hitting third. 2016 was more of the same, as Mookie hit .314/.355/.546 leading off and .314/.333/.529 hitting third.

Moving Xander Up

Mookie will thrive regardless of where he hits, so why would Bogaerts be a better fit to lead off? The most obvious answer comes from the end of last season. He only led off in 28 games, which is an admittedly small sample size, but the results were encouraging.

In those 28 games, Bogaerts put up .309/.406/.418 slash line. In every other game of the season, Bogaerts put up a combined .265/.327/.399 slash. His numbers skyrocketed at leadoff, but the jump is even more impressive when factoring when Bogaerts started hitting leadoff. It’s no secret that Bogaerts slumps towards the end of the season; it’s been an issue almost every season he’s been in the majors. However, something about hitting leadoff made Bogaerts break out of his slump and put up some good numbers.

As mentioned earlier, Bogaerts played only 28 games as the leadoff hitter, and it’s hard to interpolate a sample size that small into a full season. However, Bogaerts’s hitting style suggests that his success as a leadoff hitter wasn’t a fluke.

The most important quality of a leadoff hitter is to get on base, and that’s where Bogaerts thrives. The shortstop has led the team in batting average in two of the last three seasons, and is one of the best two strike hitters in the league. Bogaerts’s skill set has grown rare in the juiced ball era, and there aren’t many players left capable of taking a tough two strike pitch and getting an opposite field single or double.

Bogaerts will also likely benefit from Alex Cora’s philosophical change of attacking good pitches. Former manager John Farrell believed in working the count to a stubborn degree, and consistently left his players down in the count. Bogaerts is a great contact hitter, and now he can swing at any pitch he wants. This should lead to a rise in his batting average and slugging percentage, which makes him even more valuable as a leadoff hitter.

Bogaerts, Betts, and the Offense

Image credit: MassLive

Ultimately, there’s no bad choice here. This offense is stacked with talent, and runs should come regardless of who hits where. However, the best lineup features Bogaerts leading off and Mookie in the three spot. Mookie has too much power to lead off, which actively takes runs off the board. Bogaerts is too good at getting on base, and his ability would be wasted hitting him in the six hole. It wouldn’t be the safe move, but it is the right move.

Cover image courtesy of overthemonster.com

Positive Vibes During Spring Training in Fort Myers

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Spring Training Has Started

Via USA Today

The Boston Red Sox begin Spring Training games this week. It already seems like the vibe in Spring Training is different from the last few years. The Red Sox just singed J.D. Martinez to a five year, $110 million dollar deal. Seems like everyone needed a fresh start from the manager, and Alex Cora brings the young feel to it.

There Was Tension Last Season

Via USA Today

Mookie Betts admitted that there was tension last season, saying, “I think (there was) just tension in the locker room as far as if things were down. We could have had more fun. Through the rough times, I think those are the times when we could have had a little more fun instead of being down so much.”

Xander Bogaerts also said how there was friction last year: “I mean, we all know. We all know what was going on,” I don’t think I really want to get into details. The quicker we move on is the better for all of us.”

Not One Single Leader

(Fort Myers FL, 02/19/18) The Red Sox official full squad workout, stretch during Spring Training at the Player Development Complex on Monday, February 19, 2018. Staff photo by Matt Stone

Dustin Pedroia spoke about the leadership, saying it’s not just one person, it’s everybody. It’s clear winning the division is not good enough in this city. The Red Sox need to compete with the Yankees and the Martinez signing was huge. Alex Cora isn’t speaking the gibberish that Farrell would say while talking to the media. Cora said last week if you see a pitch right down the middle swing the bat and see where it goes. Don’t take a first pitch if it looks like you can hit it. The Red Sox are a fun young team with a power hitter. It still remains to be unseen how well they will compete with the Yankees, but the Martinez singing is a great start. I like the good vibe in Red Sox Spring Training even though it’s still early. It seems like they got the right change with the manager let’s see how the team shapes up to be.

Why the Red Sox Need to Extend Craig Kimbrel

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Craig Kimbrel burst onto the Major League Baseball scene in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves. In 21 games during his rookie season, Kimbrel was a whopping 4-0 with an 0.44 ERA. Kimbrel instantly put himself on the map, and has been dominant ever since.

After the 2014 season, Craig Kimbrel was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the San Diego Padres. He played the 2015 season, and later that winter was traded to the Red Sox. He was sent over as part of a deal highlighted between him and Red Sox top OF prospect Manuel Margot.

Kimbrel on the Red Sox

Craig Kimbrel has certainly not disappointed so far during his tenure in Boston. In 2016 he put up a 3.40 ERA in 57 games. He had a decent stat line, but he certainly put that behind him. In 2017 Kimbrel really made a statement, declaring himself as the staple in the Boston bullpen.

In 2017 Kimbrel pitched to a tune of a 1.43 ERA to go along with a 5-0 record with 126 strikeouts in 67 games. Not only did he pull away from the rest of the Red Sox bullpen pack, but he established himself as one of, if not the best reliever in all of baseball currently.

Last year Craig Kimbrel led the Red Sox bullpen in ERA and strikeouts. He was .3 innings away from leading the team in innings pitched. These three stats are arguably the most important when it comes to judging the performance of a relief pitcher, and the fact he led the whole bullpen is very telling.

It is tough to say how the Red Sox 2017 season would have ended up if Kimbrel was on the team. It is doubtful that they would have won 93 games, en route to an AL East championship.

What Does the Future Have in Store?

After the 2018 season, Craig Kimbrel hits the free-agent market, an unbelievably stacked class. Kimbrel has already made it clear that he wants to sign an extension to stay in Boston. He wants to finish his career on the Red Sox.

This absolutely has to be a priority for the Red Sox, and should be near the top of their to do list. Craig Kimbrel is not only a bullpen piece that the team wants to keep, he is a bullpen piece that the Red Sox need to keep.

Hopefully Craig Kimbrel is staring down hitters in the 9th, wearing a Red Sox uniform for years to come.

Don’t Forget Hanley Ramirez

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J.D. Martinez is finally a Boston Red Sox and it’s all anyone can talk about. It’s an earned celebration; the Red Sox needed a power hitter and Martinez is a true star with the bat. While he will certainly help the 2018 Red Sox get some power, don’t forget Hanley Ramirez and the impact he can have.

Ramirez arrived two days early to spring training, fully healthy and down 15 pounds. He credited Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s “TB12 Method” for his change in offseason workouts, and this news should make all Red Sox fans ecstatic.

Don’t Forget Hanley Ramirez

Hanley’s tenure in Boston has been a mixed bag, to say the least. He was terrible in his first season with the Red Sox, before transforming into one of the better power bats on the team in 2016. 2017 was a down year for him due to a nagging shoulder injury that sapped away his swing.

Overall, there have been two down years and one great year in Hanley’s three seasons with the Red Sox. However, so far there’s always been one consistent theme in determining the success of Hanley’s season. When he comes into spring training too muscular, he has a bad year.

2015 – The Muscular Hanley

2015 showed that success in the weight room doesn’t necessarily translate to the field

Image credit: WEEI

Hanley came over to the Red Sox on a massive four-year, 88 million dollar deal, and immediately wanted to show his worth. The big acquisition spent all offseason lifting, and came into camp looking unnaturally ripped. Simple logic would dictate that big muscles equals big power, but that’s not always the case.

So much of what goes into being a power hitter comes from the form of your swing instead of the muscles on your body. Hanley spent so much time adding muscle onto his already jacked body that he lost his form. Hanley had a long, looping swing all season that clearly threw off his timing and never let him hit the ball clean. Sure, when he made contact the ball went far, but he was rarely making solid contact. Hanley finished that season with just 19 home runs, 10 of which came in April, and was considered one of the biggest free agent busts in Red Sox history.

2016 – Slimmed down Hanley

Hanley entered 2016 spring training with a different philosophy. Instead of getting as jacked as possible, swinging for the fences and assuming home runs would follow, he got smarter at the plate. He spent more time in the offseason working on having a compact swing, making solid contact, and knowing that he’d knock a few out regardless.

While this strategy led to his size being smaller, his numbers got bigger. Hanley’s swing, when it’s right, is so good that he’ll get his power number regardless of what he’s bench pressing. Hanley worked on getting his swing right, and the work paid dividends.

Hanley finished his 2016 season hitting .286 with 30 home runs and 111 runs batted in. This was the Hanley the Red Sox thought they were getting when they first signed him, and his production was a big part in the 2016 Red Sox having one of the best offenses in all of baseball.

2017 – Muscular Hanley Again

Coming into 2017, Hanley tried to add more muscle again. Maybe he thought the results would be better now that he had controlled his swing the year earlier. Maybe he knew that his bat would become more important than ever with David Ortiz out of the lineup.

Regardless of why he did it, the plan didn’t work out. It’s hard to discern how much of Hanley’s poor season was due to his year-long shoulder injury, but the obsessive lifting probably didn’t help anything. Ramirez looked slow and uncomfortable with the bat all season, and his looping swing returned from 2015. He still managed to hit 23 home runs, but his RBI’s dropped to just 62 and his batting average fell to .242.

2018 – Pliable Hanley

Let’s see if pliability can help another Boston athlete in 2018

Image credit: Getty Images

Building muscle is great if you need to add power to your game, but Hanley doesn’t. His swing along gives him enough natural power to fill a hole in the middle part of the lineup. Hanley’s best course of off-season action is to get his body ready to handle the grind of a 162-game season.

By the looks of things, that’s just what he’s done. Hanley hasn’t been lifting as much this off-season, as evidenced by his 15-pound weight loss. In its place, Hanley has focused on resistance band training to improve his pliability and to keep his muscles loose.

This strategy has allowed Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to continue to thrive at age 40. While a 162-game season bring different challenges than a 16-game football season, it’s hard to imagine a designated hitter taking the same beating as an NFL quarterback.

2016 has shown that Hanley doesn’t need to be freakishly musclebound in order to hit for power. He’s a strong guy regardless, and when he keeps his swing compact it’s one of the better swings in the game. In both 2015 and 2017, he spent his off-season trying to build up muscles. Both seasons ended with poor production and shoulder issues. So far, Hanley’s 2018 is mirroring 2016, and that’s a great sign for what might follow this season.

Cover image courtesy of USA Today.

Hanley Ramirez Is Using the TB12 Method

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Red Sox Getting into the TB12 Method

Via WBEN TV

Hanley Ramirez is finding ways to stay in good shape. Ramirez is apparently taking a page out of the TB12 method to better himself. We’ve seen other teammates on the Patriots use Brady’s program, but now it has shifted to the Red Sox players.

Ramirez Spoke About the Workout Plan

Via Weei.com

Hanley spoke to the media last week about Brady’s workout plan, saying, “I went on the Tom Brady side I think it’s 100 percent everything he says in the book, the work he does, makes sense.” Hanley had offseason shoulder surgery and really talked in length Friday about Brady’s workout. “I started doing that last year at the end of the season a little bit — with the bands I Think I was feeling a little better. I was waiting for the offseason to start 100 percent.”

Hanley Is Coming off an Injury

Via TB12 Sports

With his injured shoulder during the season last year Hanley only hit 23 home runs and 62 RBI’s. Hanley thought he was hitting with one arm last season and said Friday that he should’ve hit 30 home runs instead. Alex Cora talked in length about Ramirez, saying, “He looks a lot different than what I saw the last two years. The last two years he reminded me a lot about (former NFL linebacker) Ray Lewis — with how big he was.”

With Hanley feeling better and looking forward to playing in 168 games this season at first base. Ramirez trying to better himself with the help of a 40 year old quarterback is great. Ramirez has not met with Alex Guerrero, he only read the book he said. Hanley was signed to a four year $88 million dollar contact in 2015. I’m sure with a new manager and him feeling good he should be fine.

We’ll see if other players follow Brady’s workout plan. Who knows we may see players from other sports besides football and baseball try the TB 12 method out.

J.D. Martinez Is Not the Only Way Boston Can Return to Contention

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I will be the first person to tell you how badly the Red Sox need a bat like J.D. Martinez’s in order to make a deep run in the playoffs. This article isn’t going to back up the opinion that this team, as built, is ready to contend with NYY/WAS/LAD/HOU.

Down Year 2017

All of last season, the void that David Ortiz left in the lineup went unfilled. There was a clear home run surge in the MLB last year, and Boston was left out.

Jackie Bradley Jr. had a season that earned him a spot on Yahoo’s “most overrated players in the MLB” list. Something JBJ looks to use as motivation to get back on track this season:

🙌🏾 RT @bigleaguestew: The whole @YahooSports MLB crew voted and these are the most overrated players in baseball: https://t.co/zssB0ZdjSE pic.twitter.com/4uCaqti56k

— Jackie Bradley Jr. (@JackieBradleyJr) February 13, 2018

Xander Bogaerts was snuffed by a lingering hand injury last year. One that even he says he probably shouldn’t have played through. On regaining some pop after recovering from his hand injury, Bogaerts said, “I’m not saying I’m going out and hitting 60 like Stanton or something, but I can definitely go out there and put up the same numbers as ‘16, maybe a little bit better”. In 2016, the season Xander is referring to, he smacked 21 home runs.

Hanley Ramirez was battling a shoulder injury from right out the gate last season. In an interview, Hanley said that he plans on playing another ‘10 years’ and sees himself returning to ‘Miami Hanley’ this year.

After being an A.L. MVP candidate in 2016, Betts batted .318 with 31 HR and 113 RBI. He as well found himself slumping (by his standards) in 2017 where he batted .264 and had less home runs and RBI’s.

In the Red Sox first season without their locker room leader and best slugger in the middle of the lineup, four other key parts of their lineup found themselves in down years… Boston still managed to win 93 games.

As it stands right now, Boston is still the favorite to sign J.D. Martinez. If Boston snags J.D., and gets bounce-back seasons from at least three of the four guys listed above, they will have submitted themselves back into the World Series discussion.

Alternative to J.D. Martinez

Let’s say that Arizona ends up bringing back J.D. Martinez.

The reaction to spring training thus far has been less than enthusiastic for most Red Sox fans. People have already mailed in the season because the Bronx got Stanton.

This Red Sox roster is a good one. It may not be a world series contender, but it doesn’t have to be.

They are a wild card team as is, and with good years from Bogaerts/Bradley/Betts, they could potentially snag the division.

Trade Deadline

What I am getting at, is that this roster doesn’t need to add anybody right now. It can wait until the trade deadline. I once wrote an article, here, where I went over every single trade deadline that Dave Dombrowski has been in charge for, and you will see that he has never left a deadline without filling the team’s needs.

If for some reason the Red Sox miss out on Martinez, waiting until the deadline is something that can benefit them. This would give Dombrowski a chance to see the team play this year. By doing so, he can get a better feel for their needs.

Another reason that waiting for the trade deadline may be a good idea is that the impending free agency for next year is loaded. Free agency has a huge impact on the trade deadline. Teams that have players with contracts that are expiring are more willing to move them at the deadline instead of potentially losing them for almost nothing in free agency.

This list of impending free agents that could be dealt at the trade deadline include the likes of Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz, Ian Kinsler, and Brian Dozier. All of these players, some for a greater price than others, could be brought in for a playoff run to help this team.

Boston Will Be Fine

Whichever way Boston ends up going, do not give up on this team yet. They managed to win 93 games in a season with a poor manager, locker room drama, and serious lineup slumps. Not to mention they had a down year from their 2016 Cy Young winner, Rick Porcello. Also, Boston lost both Steven Wright and ‘Ace’ David Price to injuries for all if not most of the season.

If J.D. Martinez ends up donning a Red Sox uniform, they will be locked and loaded from game one. If they lose out on J.D Martinez, Boston has the juice to get to the trade deadline, where Dave Dombrowski can load up for a playoff run.

Will David Price Win Back the Media and Fans?

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New Year New Price?

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – JULY 28: Starting pitcher David Price #24of the Boston Red Sox is greeted by teammates in the dugout after leaving the game with a 1-0 lead after pitching eight shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 28, 2016 in Anaheim, California. The Angels won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

David Price is entering a new season in his $31 million dollar contract. We’ve seen little work from him. His comments last year made it was clear he didn’t like being in Boston. Price has a 3.48 ERA in his two seasons with the Red Sox. Price’s peak moment last year was getting to a scuffle with Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley. Price has four years left of his $127 million dollar contract.

David Price Trying To Win Back The Fans?

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 07: David Price #24 of the Boston Red Sox pitches in the second inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 7, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Price spoke to the media yesterday saying, “I feel like it’s pretty straightforward. You know what you’re going to get [in Boston]. If you go out there and pitch well and play well, you’re going to have support, You can always make things better by pitching better. That’s what I’ve got to do. Go out there and throw the ball the way I threw the ball before I got to Boston”. He also said that he could’ve handled last season better, saying, “I could’ve handled it better last year, absolutely. But I didn’t, and I’ve moved on, I feel like I’ve always been one to lead with my actions, and I didn’t do that very well last year. I know that and understand that, and I look forward to getting back and being that faucet and not being a drain”.

Alex Cora Feels like “One of the Guys” According to Price

Via MassLive.com

Whether it was Price’s agent or Alex Cora, someone talked to him and said last year is in the past. All that matters is the future. Price is excited to have Alex Cora as the Manager saying, “I like him. He feels like one of the guys. I’ve played for a manager that’s like that with Joe Maddon in Tampa. A guy that can relate to everybody. He’s easy to talk to. I like Alex. I guess it’s to be determined whether or not manager-wise and stuff like that. But I think he’s going to be great”.

It’s still way too early to say Price will have a good year or a bad year. But this could go one of two ways. He could have a very good season and wins back fans. Adversely, it could go very bad and is out again for the year.

Ben Mondor: The Man Who Saved the Paw Sox

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Continuing with our Paw Sox Relocation series, the proud franchise that is the Pawtucket Red Sox owns a deep history. The Paw Sox are currently faced with relocation to dreaded Worcester before. Not to mention, entering near bankruptcy. However, one man pulled the pride of Pawtucket out of the trash and into the future. That man is Ben Mondor.

1970’s

The Year of Our Lord 1970 gave birth to the very first incarnation of the Pawtucket Red Sox. However, they were a Double-A team at the time. Pawtucket was beginning to seem like their home for the foreseeable future. In 1973, the Pawtucket Red Sox players packed their bags for Bristol, Connecticut to make room for a new team… The Pawtucket Red Sox! This time in Triple-A.

In light of the relocation, some exceptional players got the chance to play on the new Paw Sox. Including Carlton Fisk, Cecil Cooper, Dick Pole and Rick Burleson. The 1973 team made history by winning the Governor’s Cup in their first season. The first true taste of victory did not last long in Pawtucket. During the next three season, the Paw Sox finished below .500. Due to the lack of on-field success and lots of empty seats, the franchise went bankrupt. Relocation, again seemed imminent.

Ben Mondor

Tom Yawkey to the Red Sox is Ben Mondor is to the Paw Sox. Ben Mondor, a successful businessman, wanted to make sure baseball remained in Pawtucket. Mondor, an honorary degree holder from Providence College, was born in St-Ignace-du-Lac, Maskinongé, Quebec on March 26, 1925. The two time International League Executive of the year, took the Paw Sox from a team playing in a ball park that had not been updated since before World War 2 ended, and molded them into one of the most well-known and respected minor league franchises in all of baseball. Mondor saved McCoy Stadium and made it a landmark.

Ben Mondor, an owner who was beloved by players, chatted with Nomar Garciaparra (above) in 2004, when the shortstop was on a rehab stint with Pawtucket. (Joe Giblin/ Associated Press)

He did all this while never losing sight of the fans. Despite spending millions of dollars to renovate McCoy Stadium, tickets remained cheap at $6 and kept parking free. John Henry could learn a thing or two from Mondor. Prior to his death on October 2010, Mondor made a point of greeting fans as they were entering and leaving the ballpark. Today, Mr. Mondor continues this tradtion as a life-sized statue outside McCoy Stadium. His smiling face continues to welcome Paw Sox fans. Mondor saved the Paw Sox from moving away before. His widow, Madeleine Mondor inherited the team. Larry Lucchino pried the Paw Sox away from her and he and his ownership group want the Paw Sox out of their home in McCoy and possibly out of Rhode Island. I hope Ben Mondor’s ghost makes a visit to Larry.

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

The Silver Lining to the Sox Quiet Offseason

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UNEVENTFUL OFFSEASON IN BEANTOWN

Yes I understand, you are disappointed that the Red Sox did pretty much nothing this offseason. And yes, I know the Yankees added Giancarlo Stanton to an already scary lineup. And yes, I know the world is ending, but is anyone else seeing the beauty in all of this? Does it remind you of anything? Something like oh I don’t know, 2013? Perhaps 2004? They Yankees have once again assembled an All-Star team thanks to their disposable income. All while the Sox management sat on their thumbs since October. Well let me just say, oddly enough I have a terrific feeling about this year.

DISAPPOINTING 2017 SEASON

bostonherald.com

2017 was supposed to be Boston’s year. Sure, there was the astronomical loss of David Ortiz but the offense was still expected to be pretty good as it featured a plethora of young talent in Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers. The Pitching staff looked great on paper as it featured reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, David Price and Drew Pomeranz. Unfortunately, they all had their ups and downs. As we all know, the season ended in a disappointing four game series loss to Houston. The disappointing ending to the season led to a lot of hate on the Sox young core and pitching staff. It began to feel as though the future of this franchise was not so bright after all and that the spotlight had once again been stolen by the Evil Empire.

PRESSURE SHIFTS OVER TO THE BRONX

Well I gotta say I am a little relieved that the spotlight is on the Yankees now. The Sox are being counted out before the season has started and it is a thing of beauty. The Red Sox are young and pretty inexperienced. I think last year the pressure to become some sort of super team may have gotten to them. They showed flashes of great baseball but ultimately were not quite ready. I think the lowered expectations may actually be exactly what this young group needs to thrive. Also, the young core has already experienced a gut wrenching, humiliating playoff elimination to learn from. Come next October they will do anything to avoid duplicating that traumatic experience.

MULTIPLE PLAYERS POISED FOR A BOUNCE-BACK SEASON

nbcsports.com

An important thing to point out is the unlikelihood of nearly every player having another poor offensive season. Mookie, Hanley, Bogaerts, JBJ, Moreland and even Benintendi can all do better. Benny had a great year for a 22 year old kid, but I am positive he can hit better than .271. Everyone in Boston knows Mookie is capable of a whole lot more than his 2017 performance yet he still hit .264 and drove in over 100 runs, that is saying something. I don’t think I need to mention Hanley here as we all know his season was one to forget. If those three guys can do what they are capable of with other contributions from Pedroia, Nunez, Bogie, JBJ, Moreland and Vazquez, then this offense can easily return to top 10 form.

HURRY UP 2018

So basically, the hell with what the Yankees look like on paper, they still have to win games. It will be fun watching them fold like a two dollar lawn chair under pressure. The media will be all over them for under performing while the under dogs in Boston fight and claw their way into the playoffs with a full head of steam. The reason I am so confident about this season is because the parallel I see with the 2013 team. Once again, we are coming off a disappointing season, only this time no fried chicken was involved. And again, the expectations are low for a gritty team in a city that thrives off being underestimated. Talented team plus being overlooked by division rival? sounds like a recipe for success. LET’S GO SOX. #WinDanceRepeat.

*Featured picture credit goes to overthemonster.com*

*Questions or comments? find me on Twitter @MLBfromNH (Kevin Civiello)*

Spring Training Is Here, Begins Wednesday

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Baseball in the Air…

(Boston, MA 04/03/17) Fans fill Yawkey Way before the Boston Red Sox opening day game at Fenway Park in Boston on Monday, April 3, 2017. Staff photo by Nicolaus Czarnecki

Spring Training is here and begins this week. Players will make their way to Fort Myers soon. The quiet offseason for the Red Sox has been frustrating. But we’ve been distracted with the other sports teams in Boston to really pay attention. The Red Sox have been in the back corner hiding this offseason while the other three teams are on the spotlight.

Spring Training Begins This Week

(101117 Boston, MA) Dave Dombrowski, Red Sox President of Baseball Operations, talks about firing manager John Farrell during a press conference at Fenway Park on Wednesday, October 11, 2017. Staff Photo by Nancy Lane

The Red Sox can’t hide for long, and will be the only team playing in a few months. The mindset of Dave Dombrowski now getting a power bat is staggering. Will the Red Sox sign J.D. Martinez? Who really knows, but to compete with the power hitting Yankees a power bat would be helpful. Questions arise with this team going into Spring Training. How will David Price pitch? How will Chris Sale do? Will Rick Porcello return to Cy Young form?

Red Sox Only Did One Thing This Offseason

Via MassLive.com

Let’s put it this way: hiring Alex Cora was the best offseason move they did so far. During the Winter Meetings they were completely silent and the whole month of January was a complete bore fest with the Red Sox. Pitchers and catchers report Tuesday with a first full team workout on Wednesday. Rumors last week said Martinez was fed up with the Red Sox taking so long but those seem to be false. Last year J.D. Martinez hit 45 home runs 104 RBI’s and batting average of .303.

Alex Cora on Managing the Red Sox

Via Boston Herald

Cora said when he was hired that, “Boston is a challenge, but for me, it’s not, I understand they live baseball 24/7. I come from a country [Puerto Rico] that does that, and with my family, it’s the same. This is a good baseball team, a team that, as you all know, have won back-to-back division titles but at the end of the day, this city, everybody wants to win a world championship.”