December 2009
Red Sox Are Batless In The Battle
Well, our long national nightmare is over, to coin a phrase. Jason Bay will be a New York Metropolitan in 2010. And, Mike Lowell will likely be dealt in the Spring. That translates into 53 fewer homers for the Sox from their 2009 totals (36 by Bay; 17 by Lowell). Boston will be at a serious offensive disadvatange vis a vis the Evil Ones 250 miles to the south. They (the evil ones, that is) remain an offensive juggernaut even after losing Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon(Curtis Granderson alone had 30 HRs last year)–and they may still re-sign the “Idiot”. As laudable as it is to resist 5-year commitments to 30-plus year old players, this was a serious mistake on the part of Theo and the Trio. Having a productive hitter in the middle of the line-up who not only survives the climate in Boston but thrives on it, is a rare commodity indeed. And, apparently for a difference of $6 million and an option year, they let that commodity go. There is only one solution–making the much discussed deal for Adrian Gonzalez. Obviously, Jacoby Ellsbury can no longer be included in the deal, but Buchholz and two elite prospects (Josh Bard?/Casey Kelly?/Ryan Westmorland?) are probably enough to pry away someone who can play Gold Glove first base (allowing Youk to move to third) and clout in excess of 40 home runs a year. Theo, do the deal. Now.
Former Sox Lefty Lopez Inks Deal With Bucs
Ex-Red Sox reliever Javy Lopez (seen in this photo with a young fan at a BoSox Club luncheon) signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
FenwayNation Surpasses 4 Million Hits For 2009
FenwayNation.COM (the parent website for this blog) has logged over 4 million hits in 2009. The 4 million mark was previously attained twice before–in 2006 and 2008.
The Red Sox fan site-founded in April of 2000-has now accumulated over 22,000,000 hits since January 1, 2004. The site attracts visitors from over 130 countries.
Thanks to all of our loyal readers worldwide!
Red Sox Rise To The Defense (And Pitching And Offense)
Should all the transactions on the table actually come to fruition (along with a few others that are rumored), your Boston Red Sox will undergo a radical transformation from the team you cheered in 2009. At this point, I’m not sure if it will be a positivetransformation, but you can’t deny the change. The additions of Marco Scutaro at shortstop,Mike Cameron in left field and the likely move of Kevin Youkilis to third (please, Theo, go get Adrian Gonzalez to play first) will dramatically upgrade the left side of the team’s defense. Last year, despite the wizardry of Alex Gonzalez, Bay and Lowell made this element of the Red Sox game highly suspect. In fact, overall team defense was among the worst in all of baseball. The addition of John Lackey to the rotation gives us a Roto-like sequence of Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Dice-K, and Buchholz or Wakefield. The Lackey addition allows for the luxury of shipping Clay (and some prospects) to San Diego for Gonzalez. Adding Gonzalez at first base would cement the infield as one of the best in baseball and provide the added thump (40 home runs last year) that this Bay-less offense will need. So, instead of the “good offense, good pitching, bad defense” of 2009, we may see the “great defense, great pitching, very good offense” upgrade we have all been yearning for. So, Theo, have you called Jed Hoyer yet today?
Red Sox Target Wrong Adrian
With the imminent departure of World Series hero Mike Lowell to Texas, the Red Sox have a gaping hole to fill at third base. Recent speculation has them lusting after Seattle’s Adrian Beltre–who they prize for both his stellar defense and powerful bat. The theory goes that away from spacious Safeco Field, Beltre would clear and/or pound the Green Monster with reckless abandon. And, to be sure, his home/road splits buttress that view. But, there has always been some suspicion about his spike in power numbers in 2004 (23 to 48 home runs). To be fair, he has addressed the issue head on, stating, ”I’ve never used steroids. I might have been slumping these last two years, but the one thing I can say is I’ve always been clean when playing this sport. I have never cheated. I have never used amphetamines.” We have to take him at his word. Nevertheless, there is another Adrian who should be targeted by the Red Sox–Adrian Gonzalez of the Padres. The power-hitting first baseman is only 27, clouted 40 home runs last year in cavernous PETCO Park, and sported an on-base percentage of .407. Oh, and he is a Gold Glove-caliber defender. And, there has never been a hint of juicing on Gonzalez’s part. While getting Gonzalez would necessitate moving Kevin Youkilis to third, his history of slick play at the hot corner makes this a no-brainer. So, Yo! Theo–get the right Adrian!
Sox Acquire Former Twins Hurler Boof Bonser
No Coal In Players’ Stockings This Year
The next time you feel sorry for your favorite Red Sox player who has been “disrespected” by the New Ownership Group for not having his option picked up or not being offered another year on a contract, remember one thing. That player you are expressing solidarity with is probably making more in one six-month period than most Americans will earn in a lifetime. MLB, in the midst of a numbing economic downturn, announced record average salaries for their 926 major league players–$2, 996,000. Almost 3 million bucks. That’s the average salary, folks. And the shameless apologists at MLB. com have the nerve to characterize this figure as having “increased at a five-year-low rate”. No! You’re kidding. What a travesty of justice. I guess we are in a recession after all. Of course, the Evil Empire topped this list for the 11th straight year: they pay each player, on average, $7.66 million. And for all those in Baghdad-by-the-Hudson who claim the Red Sox are just as bad as the Yankees, um, not quite. Boston does shell out the second highest average salary, but it’s a paltry $4.58 million. They are merely the leaders of the cluttered second-tier along with the Cardinals ($4.42 million), the the Dodgers ($4.33 million), Anaheim ($4.22 million), and Philadelphia ($4.06 million). Anyway, as most of us try to put on a brave front this holiday season, our heroes of the diamond will be laughing all the way to the Porsche dealership. Don’t waste your time feeling sorry for these guys.
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