Tag Archives: #REDSOX

This 2018 Red Sox Bullpen Has Potential

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The Red Sox bullpen may not be as attractive as some of the others in baseball. However, it certainly can be a good one. As of right now the bullpen looks like Kimbrel, Thornburg, Smith, Kelly, Barnes, and maybe Maddox. The first four names on that list are definite. Everyone else is a question mark.

The Lefty Situation

Cora has already stated that if a lefty pitcher does not make the team out of spring training, then they won’t need one. At least for right now. Robby Scott was the favorite to make the team before Spring Training started, but he hasn’t shown he deserves a spot so far. Cora’s talked highly of Bobby Poyner, a lefty who has pretty good numbers so far this spring, but it isn’t the biggest sample size. So, if there is no lefty that Cora can trust in the pen to start the year, it wouldn’t be detrimental. I totally agree with Alex Cora. It doesn’t matter if you’re a righty pitcher. If you can get lefties out you deserve a spot over an undeserving lefty in the bullpen.

The Bullpen’s up and Coming

Besides Craig Kimbrel, the reliever I’m most excited to watch is Carson Smith. He showed us tidbits of what he can do last year for the abbreviated time he was available. However, we haven’t really seen much of Smith yet. He has a nasty slider along with a good sinker and a fastball that sits around 92-94. Smith is someone you bring in when you need a double play late in the game. He would be great at giving up soft contact on the ground, or just watching guys freeze on his nasty hook.

Tyler Thornburg, who had thoracic outlet surgery in the offseason, will have to start the year on the DL. The exact time that he will return is up in the air. But it shouldn’t be too long before he makes his long awaited return. He is certainly another key piece and a great weapon to have in this bullpen.

Joe Kelly, aka Jim Buchanan, is a great guy to have not only in this pen, but on this team. I’ve mentioned before his goofy personality is exactly what this team needs. Something a winning team will need. Joe and his personality, along with his 100 mph fastball, nasty slider, and curve will be a big part of this team in 2018.

Last and certainly not least, is Craig Kimbrel, who pitched to a 1.43 ERA, a 1.41 FIP, and struck out about half the hitters he faced last year. So yeah, this dude is not bad. And let me just mention someone else who is awesome. Kimbrel was out of Fort Myers for three weeks because his daughter Lydia, who was born with a heart defect and only a few months old, had to get her second heart procedure done in Boston. Kimbrel returned to Spring Training because his daughter had the surgery and is doing great.

So Kimbrel, who has been working out at Fenway for a while now is back with the team at camp and will be ready for Opening Day, which is great news. But more importantly, his daughter is alright. Let’s just say that’s one tough girl, and she definitely got part of that from Craig, no doubt. Lydia Strong.

All in all, this Red Sox bullpen may not necessarily jump out as the best. But it is certainly not a bullpen anyone should take lightly. With these scary arms to go along with Cora’s managing and the non-closer philosophy, this bullpen can definitely be a strength for this 2018 Red Sox team.

 

Cover image courtesy of USA Today.

David Price Is Ready for 2018

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David Price was scheduled to make his first start of the spring last Saturday, but got scratched due to the wet weather. He finally pitched his first Grapefruit League game on Thursday against the Blue Jays. The results? Let’s just say he did pretty well. He threw four shutout innings, he gave up one hit, one walk, and punched out five.

Now I know it is only Spring Training, but regardless of how Price did today, I as well as many Red Sox fans are excited. And for the ones that aren’t, you might want to jump off that train as soon as you can.

All Aboard the David Price Hype Train

Price has obviously not been what we paid for the last couple years, pitching to a 3.99 ERA in the first year of his contract in 2016, and only making 11 starts last year due to an elbow injury. What he did out of the bullpen in last year’s postseason was a glimpse of what’s to come. But this time he will be pitching from the start.

In 2016, Price’s ERA was a little higher than expected, and he got a lot of hate. But if you look back on that year, he only had one bad month, and that was April. He had an ERA over six. The rest of the season? He had an ERA around 3.30. You also can’t forget the fact that he threw 230 innings that year, which is huge. Also, over his last 263 and a third innings, Price has a 3.38 ERA. That’s right. And that’s through his struggles over the past couple years as well.

Price was so upset last year when he had that elbow injury. He wanted to prove himself and everyone else that he is worth that contract. Now he is all healthy and ready to show everyone why we signed him.

Will 2015 Price Make a Comeback?

Recently, I looked up Price’s 2015 highlights, the year he got traded from Detroit to Toronto. The whole video was him just mowing everyone down. As I watched that I couldn’t help but think that this man is on our team. Just because maybe the media and some of the fans might tell you otherwise, this dude is a stud. Someone who can be just as good as Chris Sale. David is motivated, and he’s ready to show the world that he’s one of the best pitchers in the game of baseball.

2018 is going to be a huge year for Price, and whether you like it or not. Whether you can admit it or not, your baseball team is better when he is on it.

J.D. Martinez Is Making Plays with Mookie Betts

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Looking Forward to J.D. Martinez in 2018

When J.D. Martinez signed with the Red Sox, it felt awesome no doubt. But it didn’t feel fully real. At least not then. I wouldn’t even say it feels 100% real now, as he has yet to play a regular season game for it to really sink in. But it’s definitely getting to the point where I don’t feel like I’m in a dream anymore.

It was the same way when David Price signed a couple of years back, and Chris Sale last year. They both had to start a few games before it really sunk in that they were here.

J.D. has finally gotten into his first few Spring Training games. I never really thought about it but hearing “J.D. driving in Mookie” is definitely a term we will be hearing all season. And I am here for it.

USA Today

Martinez + Mookie

Mookie Betts was in a 0-16 hole so far in Spring Training going into today’s game against the Rays. He finally got his first hit on a ground ball to third. He pointed to the sky and celebrated with the new first base coach Tom Gooden. But something would happen a few AB’s later that really got me excited.

J.D. Martinez came to the plate with two outs and Mookie on first base. J.D. had played his first game the day before and went 0-2 on two fly outs. On his first at bat in his second game hitting cleanup, he hit a fly ball to right field that got down. It went deep enough for Mookie to come around third and score.

That run didn’t matter much, as it was only a Spring Training run that got the game to a 3-1 deficit. None of that was what I was excited about. But it was the fact that J.D. Martinez had just driven in Mookie Betts. That is for sure a delightful thing to hear and something Sox fans will be hearing all season long. It will be a phrase that I will have no problem getting used to.

 

Cover image courtesy of NESN.

The Eduardo Rodriguez Breakout Season

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The Boston Red Sox rotation, when healthy, is one of the best in the league. Chris Sale is one of the top five starters in baseball, and David Price, Drew Pomeranz, and Rick Porcello are all above average at their respective spot in the rotation. However, there is one X-Factor in the rotation that could truly send this group from great to elite. Eduardo Rodriguez has flashed talent since entering the majors in 2015, but has struggled with consistency. Now in his fourth major league season, here’s what needs to happen for the Eduardo Rodriguez breakout season to become reality.

The Eduardo Rodriguez Breakout Season

Start Healthy and Stay Healthy

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The first jersey Rodriguez wears this season shouldn’t be a Boston Red Sox one

Image credit: Portland Press Herald

E-Rod is expected to miss the start of the regular season, but it’s not all bad news. Rodriguez has begun throwing bullpen sessions off the mound, and could be ready to return as soon as mid-April. This is ahead of the initial recovery date, which is obviously good news.

However, Alex Cora and the Red Sox need to be smart about bringing E-Rod back. His off-season knee surgery was mostly seen as a maintenance work, but he’s had knee injuries before. The Red Sox need to be sure not to bring him back into the rotation before he’s ready to go.

He’s been rushed back too early before, and the results haven’t been great. E-Rod went through a different knee issue in 2016, and came back a bit earlier than he should have. The 2016 rotation was something of a mess at the time, so it’s understandable why then-manager John Farrell wanted E-Rod back as soon as possible.

Learning from History

However, learning from history shows patience is the best course. E-Rod made his 2016 season debut on May 31st, and after six starts he held an ugly 8.59 ERA. He gave up four or more earned runs four times, and only made it out of the sixth inning twice.

The Red Sox demoted Rodriguez to Pawtucket to fix his mechanics and get healthy. He returned three weeks later looking like a completely different player. Rodriguez made fourteen starts and recorded a 3.24 ERA after that demotion. He was one of the best pitchers on the team and should have started in the playoffs against the Cleveland Indians.

Brian Johnson is currently scheduled to take E-Rod’s spot in the rotation. It will be tempting for Cora to get Rodriguez back in the rotation as early as possible, but he needs to be smart. Rushing E-Rod is a short sighted move that will only make the team and Rodriguez worse in the long run. Get him healthy, and let him dominate.

Use the Slider

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When it’s working, Rodriguez has one of the best sliders in baseball

While getting E-Rod fully healthy rests primarily on the training and coaching staff, E-Rod needs to make sure he’s smart with his pitch selection. Rodriguez is a three-pitch pitcher, and can be unhittable when all three are working. His fastball is his main pitch, and he has a nasty change up. However, it’s his slider that makes him deadly.

When Rodriguez doesn’t trust his slider, his pitches become predictable. Hitters can sit on the fastball and change up, and those pitches alone aren’t good enough to consistently get guys out. That’s not to say that E-Rod can only get guys out with the slider; he’s had good games rarely throwing it. Last season against the Baltimore Orioles, E-Rod pitched six shutout innings while throwing his slider just 5.6% of the time.

However, a lot of E-Rod’s bad starts have one thing in common: the absence of the slider. In 2017, Rodriguez had six starts in which he pitched fewer than six innings and gave up four or more earned runs. His slider use was under 10% in four of those six starts.

Looking at the data, most of E-Rod’s noted inconsistency comes from starts where he doesn’t use his slider. When healthy and not using his slider, his good versus bad starts are split roughly 50/50. When he’s healthy and able to keep batters guessing, he almost always puts up quality starts.

What to Expect This Year

I’ve admittedly been high on Rodriguez ever since his 2015 debut, but this should be his breakout year. Rodriguez has been in the majors long enough that Alex Cora should know the best way to use E-Rod. He’ll know that E-Rod needs to get his slider working. He’ll know that rushing E-Rod back to replace Brian Johnson is a bad idea.

It wasn’t that long ago that E-Rod was one of the top prospects in baseball, and he’s still just 24. He won’t ever threaten Sale for the ace position, but there’s no reason to think that he can’t push for the second or third spot in the rotation. Regardless of where he ends up in the lineup, he should push the unit over the top. Sale, Price, Pomeranz, Porcello, and a healthy Rodriguez should be nearly unhittable. Combine that with a strong offense and bullpen, and these Red Sox should be very hard to beat this season.

 

Cover Image Credit: NBC Sports

Rafael Devers- Boston’s Future at Third Base

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The Third Base Conundrum

Last year in the summertime, the Red Sox were in a very tough place. They had just released Pablo Sandoval, a third baseman they had expected to be their guy over the next five years. He was signed to a $95 million contract in the winter of 2014. He did not produce in the way he did in San Francisco, where he helped lead them to three championships in five seasons.

They had started the year off with Pablo over Travis Shaw, because they were hopeful the Sandoval situation would work out. Obviously it didn’t. So they could’ve just went back to Travis Shaw at third, right? The problem was Shaw was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for Tyler Thornburg, a right handed reliever who was injured for the whole year. So Shaw is out mashing on the Brew Crew, meanwhile the Red Sox were forced to release their joke of a third baseman.

One of the biggest talks of last year was who the Red Sox could trade for to play third base. Everyone mentioned Mike Moustakes, from Kansas City, who could be a good rental. Nobody wanted the best prospect in the organization, Rafael Devers, to get called up since many thought he would be too rushed. But Dave Dombrowski didn’t listen as he would call up Devers in July.

Devers is the Future

At first many were skeptical, but that went away quick. In his second game he slammed a 427 foot home run. He would later single later in that game and never look back. He stayed hot for the rest of the year, hitting home runs left and right, including the famous one off of Aroldis Chapman to tie the game in the top of the ninth in Yankee Stadium. I mean, he’s already getting clutch hits against the Yankees at age 20. Just crazy.

He’s had a great spring so far, hitting .400 with two homers in several games. He went back to back with Andrew Beninendi last Sunday, and did the same with Xander Bogaerts against the Rays.

The lineup is still being figured out, as Cora will put guys in the right places for protection. But Devers definitely has the capability of being in the top or middle of that lineup.

What to Look Forward To

As far as the defense goes, he’s struggled. But that’s okay. You have to remember he’s not even 21 yet. Defense will come around. One of the players Devers looked up to growing up was Adrian Beltre. Beltre came up with the Dodgers at a very young age and struggled defensively at third. But now? He’s a five time gold glove winner and someone you see making great plays every single night. So as far as defense goes for Devers, it will come around.

I am super excited to see what the future holds for this young kid who isn’t even near his prime yet and already hits like a veteran. He is perfect for Fenway as he has learned to use the monster very well. The future looks bright for the young Devers, but as of right now, he’s looking like a big part of this 2018 Red Sox team.

 

Cover image courtesy of NESN.

Red Sox Petition to Change Yawkey Way Back to Jersey Street

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From Yawkey Way Back to Jersey Street

John Henry and the Red Sox over the past year have been thinking of changing the street name “Yawkey Way”. They recently filed a petition to name it back to what it was before, Jersey Street. This may really be breaking news, as we all know why the ownership is pushing for this to happen.

Tom Yawkey, the old owner for the Red Sox for over 40 years, wasn’t the greatest guy ever. Although he did some great things to help out the community throughout his tenure, he was also a racist.

When Jackie Robinson was first coming to be, Yawkey wasn’t interested in signing him because of his race. His prejudice heavily swayed who could and could not play for his team. Because of this, the Red Sox were the last team to have a nonwhite player on their team.

One reason why it’s so important for this change to be made is because it’s 2018. There is no place for racism under any circumstance. The Red Sox have always been looked at as a racist organization, and they need to find a way to get past that.

Time to Take Action

If the name isn’t going to be Jersey Street, I would love for it to be something incorporating Ted Williams. Someone who is possibly the greatest hitter to ever live, and who took time off to fight in two wars. Plus, he was very supportive of African-American players. But if it’s going to go back to being Jersey Street, it’s certainly a better name than what it is now. I would be okay with it.

The reason the Red Sox have to file a petition for this is because the team doesn’t have control of the street name. But what do they have control of? The fact that Tom and his wife Jean Yawkey’s initials are written on the Green Monster in Morse code. So if they can’t get rid of the street name right now, they can at least get rid of those initials on the monster.

The Red Sox aren’t a racist organization now, of course. No team in the MLB is discriminatory whatsoever. But as far as the Red Sox go, they need to move forward from their controversial past.

 

Cover image courtesy of cbssports.com

Bidding Adieu to Yawkey Way

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Wave goodbye to the past; moving on to…the past? Red Sox file a petition to the City of Boston to change Yawkey Way’s name back to Jersey Street.

We all know the reputation that Boston holds when it comes to the topic of racism. Unfortunate, because being of Cuban decent I love Boston. I would live there for the rest of my life if I could. The people of Boston have been about as open armed and welcoming every single time I have gone. To call the City of Boston racist as a whole is the incorrect take. The fact is, racism still exists everywhere in this country, and it is something that needs to be acknowledged. With the most recent story that came to surface in 2017, when Adam Jones was subjected to racial slurs while manning center field. To reiterate, baseball is an all-encompassing, multi cultural sport, and a celebration of many cultures coming together to play the greatest game ever.

How Does Yawkey Fit into This?

So where does Yawkey Way, or more specifically Tom Yawkey, come into play here? Well a background check on Tom Yawkey will reveal that his reputation is extensively shrouded in controversy and discrimination. Coined by Jackie Robinson (who got turned down by the Red Sox after a tryout in 1945) as “one of the most bigoted guys in baseball”.

The Red Sox at the helm of Yawkey were the last Major League team to integrate, when they promoted their first African-American player by the name of Pumpsie Green. Granted, at one point all teams were non-integrated and this was considered “the norm”. However, the fact that Yawkey deliberated for so long to include African-Americans into his Major League team says a lot. Thus, naming a street after himself in 1977 truly coincides with Robinson’s view on the former owner. He was a discriminate, egotistic, selfish person. He should be used as an example of how not to treat others in everyday life, let alone the sports world.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images (2013)

The Red Sox have petitioned to change the name back to Jersey Street, which is what the famous street was called before Yawkey Way. To be honest, I’m not so sure of this move. Not changing it from Yawkey Way, but changing it back to a street name that was there since John I. Taylor bought the grounds in 1911 is not much of an improvement. In other words, the name Jersey Street was around for 66 years, and at least 54 of those years were during America’s segregation period. In a way, it also represents discrimination in a way that the name Yawkey Way has.

Possible Replacement Names

I have thought about this for a while and have come across great replacements for the street name. But I (as well as Jared Carrabis of Barstool Sports) cannot think of a better way to honor the Red Sox and Fenway Park than to name the street after Ted Williams, who took a break during the prime of his baseball career to serve in WWII and the Korean War. Williams, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is the best player the club has seen in its 110 year history. He’s a true legend of the game. Looking at the bigger picture rather than the game of baseball, he fought for our country, our freedom and our honor. In short, to have a tunnel named after him simply isn’t enough. It is something that should have been done decades ago rather than now.

This is not the be-all and end-all decision that will wipe racism from this country forever. However, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Could these fixes be improved further? Absolutely. But that’s the thing- it is important to keep the fight against racism continual and on-going. Also I admit, this move seems like something that the Red Sox were forced to do after the Adam Jones incident occurred. I guess late is better than never. As the famous Martin Luther King Jr. once said “The time is always right to do what is right”. And this is something that should be engraved into, not only Bostonians, but to everyone around the world.

Featured Photo Credit: Boston Magazine (2012)

Is Sandy Leon a Viable Option?

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Is Sandy Leon Really Any Good for the Sox?

There are a plentiful amount of MLB ready catchers within the Red Sox organization. Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart, and Jake Romanski are just a few. So with all the depth, why is Sandy Leon still on the major league roster? Granted, he has a cannon that can throw out a lot of runners. However, the offensive and defensive production just isn’t there.

In his 2017 campaign, Leon was hitting .225 in 271 at bats this season. His seven homers and 39 RBIs are not something to brag about either. It doesn’t look like he can bounce back either. He has a strikeout rate of 23.1% through his first 221 at bats. If a player is under preforming his salary (a mere $1.5 million), then why is he still on the roster?

September call ups will prevent him from going back to the minors, but giving Swihart the opportunity to get a spot as the back up catcher next season would be wise. Vazquez deserves to be the starter in 2018, as he’s hot at the plate and defensively. While hitting .296 in 277 at bats, the four homers and 30 RBIs are lower than Leon’s, he’s getting more base hits and scoring due to his keen eye at the plate.

Swihart playing backup gives the Sox more depth in the outfield as well. It would also give the team a speedy boost from the catcher slot that hasn’t been seen in years. Last season, he hit an inside the park home run. That hasn’t happened since J.T Reinaldo did it back in 2013!

With every positive aspect of Leon’s game easily replaceable to the better extent, the team can make up for his absence should the organization let him go as a free agent after this season. While he has fond memories and some clutch performances, the team can truly be better off without Sandy Leon.

Red Sox Players to Get Excited for in 2018: Carson Smith

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There doesn’t seem to be a player who is deeper under the radar on the Boston Red Sox than Carson Smith. If Boston wants to take command of the AL East this year, the bullpen is going to have to take people by surprise. Smith may not be the biggest stand out in the arsenal. But the potential support he could give to this pitching staff may be a huge difference maker for a contending team.

Injury & Statistics

If you haven’t heard of Carson Smith, you can probably thank Dr. Andrews for that. Carson underwent Tommy John last season before even being able to touch a ball in the regular season. Going under the knife took Smith out all the way into the late portion of the season, only allowing him to appear in eight games. Was it worth it? Carson came back with a healthy possibly stronger arm than before and he sure showed it.

With those eight games, Smith put up an ERA of 1.35. In those 6.2 innings of work, Boston saw the arm they’d been craving all season. The craving which led to the impulse signing of Addison Reed. What may be even more exciting is the numbers Smith was able to put up in the only full season of work under his belt in 2015. Even a little of this in the middle of the bullpen could create real problems for other teams in the American League. Especially when it leads to the flame-throwing, rocket arm of Craig Kimbrel.

Game Footage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWlXQxEuSrM

Watching this guy pitch is a whole different story. Smith only needs three unique pitches to send opposing hitters back to the pine. A slider that could easily be mistaken for Chris Sales. A sinker with opposite movement of the slider that can not only create plays for the infield, but also dials up the radar to high 90’s. Then to mix it all up, a frozen change up. Smith’s lengthy stature and unique arm release is something not many pitchers have and not many batters see.

With the potential return this season of Tyler Thornburg and improving support of players like Joe Kelly, the Red Sox may have enough backups for the rotation to feel comfortable. A game started off by Chris Sale and closed off by Craig Kimbrel needs a bit of insurance. This is where Carson Smith can and will make his impact this season.

 

The Battle for the Fifth Rotation Spot

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With Steven Wright (Knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (Knee) doubtful for Opening Day, the options for the last spot of the rotation is an internal option. 

On Sunday, Dave Dombrowski hinted to the notion that Steven Wright would not be ready for Opening Day 2018. He is also confident in what the Red Sox have internally with Roenis Elias, Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez. Dombrowski was quoted by the Boston Herald as saying “If (Wright) is not ready, no, we feel comfortable with our internal options.”

This is the right move from the acquisition trigger-happy Dombrowski. There are viable options available to fill in that last spot of the rotation in free agency (Arrieta, Lynn, Cobb etc.). However, having a competition for the final spot is the best thing possible for the club. Acquiring another pitcher in free agency will likely bump the club into the next tier of the luxury tax threshold. This would increase their tax to 62.5%, as well as have their first round draft pick moved back ten spots. Elias, Johnson and Velazquez have what it takes to fill that void.

The Front Runner

As of now, contractually, Brian Johnson seems to be the front runner to snag the last rotation spot. He will be designated for assignment if he is left off of the Opening Day rotation. Elias and Velazquez both have options to start the season in Triple A.

In 2017 Boston caught lightening in a bottle when Johnson pitched a shutout on May 27 against the Seattle Mariners. However, his other four starts were nothing special as he gave up 3+ runs to the Phillies, Blue Jays (twice) and Tigers. If they do well in Spring Training Cora might take Elias or Velazquez. It will be early enough in the season where this decision isn’t pivotal as Rodriguez and Wright are already close to pitching off a mound. Comparing the three pitchers over the spans of their respective and young Major League careers, we find some similar results.

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All three pitchers have similar SO9, BB9 and SO/W numbers, as well as WHIP figures that aren’t so great. Elias clearly is the most seasoned member of the three, with 287 Major League innings pitched compared to 31 from Johnson and 24 from Velazquez. If Cora picks Elias, we will probably know what we are going to get from him. He is a below average starter that does not strikeout a whole lot of batters. Elias and Velazquez, however, still have yet to show us who they really are. The sample size of the amount of innings they’ve pitched in the majors doesn’t give an accurate representation of the kind of player they are or can be, but it’s a start. The point is that the Sox just need a decent starter until either Wright or Rodriguez is fully ready.

What to Expect from Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright

In 2017 Eduardo Rodriguez posted a 4.19 ERA with a 1.2 WHIP in 24 starts, which is far more superior to Steven Wright’s 8.25 ERA and 1.8 WHIP in only five starts. Rodriguez will be the front runner for the last spot in the rotation once both players are healthy. He has a lot of potential being only 24 years old, and has a higher ceiling for success than Wright.

Granted, Rodriguez will be on a short leash. Although Wright doesn’t have the most appealing numbers in the world, he has also shown instances of brilliance with his Phil Niekro-like knuckleball. Wright brings a lot of variety to the table with the potential for maximum longevity and a unique arsenal of pitches that batters don’t tend to see in today’s game. This Red Sox rotation has a lot of potential to be the best rotation in the Majors, but they have to bring their A game this season.