So, John Farrell's back, only this time he's fatter. Okay, this was a reference to Everybody Loves Raymond. Frank Barone's the man. Maybe it's just me, but I did not see the Red Sox' reason for bringing in Farrell. I understand the relationship he had with the pitching staff, but its not like Toronto was fantastic with him as a manager. Nevertheless, we saw some changes with the Red Sox this offseason. David Ross, Jonny Gomes, Ryan Dempster, Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew and Shane Victorino were brought in as free agents. Acquired by trade was closer Joel Hanrahan, SS Brock Holt and OF/1B Mike Carp. So, give credit to GM Ben Cherington for bringing in some new blood. Will it all work out? Let's take a look to see.
Starting Lineup
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
RF Shane Victorino
2B Dustin Pedroia
DH David Ortiz
1B Mike Napoli
3B Will Middlebrooks
LF Mike Carp
C Jarrod Saltalamacchia
SS Stephen Drew
So, because of position battles and injuries, we need to break this down a little bit. Ellsbury will take his place at the top of the lineup. Ellsbury gets hurt on even years (2010/2012) and stays healthy on odd years, so because it's a contract and odd year, he produces well this year. Or gets hurt again. Victorino is going to be a waste of money, the next JD Drew albatross. Why spend the $$ when Jackie Bradley is not too far away? He's going to be a disappointment. Pedroia will be fine if he stays healthy: he's an elite player. I think this will finally be the year Ortiz starts slowing down. He can be productive, but age is starting to be a huge factor in recovery time from injury. Napoli's hip is a big cause for concern. The lineup is much worse with Carp at 1st and Nava in left. Napoli's swing is as perfect for Fenway Park as anyone in the game (his career numbers there are very good). I like Middlebrooks, but he must improve his plate discipline or he's destined to be Mark Reynolds. I think Carp platoons with Gomes in left because he can hit some homers. Salty wins the catcher's job with Ross backing him up. I like Drew a lot, but that ankle still worries me, but Brock Holt can at least hit for average. There's some good hitters but injuries are just as bad, if not worse than Toronto's problems.
Starting Rotation
SP Jon Lester
SP Clay Buchholz
SP Felix Doubront
SP Ryan Dempster
SP John Lackey
Lester returns to form. He's too talented not to, so I'm not too worried about him. Buchholz has some talent but that back injury is worrisome. He looked much better post All-Star break, so hopefully, that's that Buchholz produces (3.76 ERA). Doubront, Dempster and Lackey all worry me. Doubront's inconsistency is big, but he strikes out guys. Dempster, I believe, will get hammered in the AL East. Lackey's return from TJS can go either way; he's in incredible shape, so hopefully it pays off. Franklin Morales provides depth, but this rotation's inconsistency worries me to place them high up in the division.
Bullpen
CL Joel Hanrahan
SU Andrew Bailey
SU Koji Uehara
SU Junichi Tazawa
LHS Craig Breslow
SU Daniel Bard
I like the depth for the bullpen: not listed are Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Miller, Clayton Mortensen, Chris Carpenter and Franklin Morales. Love the Hanrahan move, he's a good closer who should be fine in the AL East. Bailey should not have been worth Josh Reddick (Cherington blew that one). Like the Uehara pickup a lot, as well as bringing Breslow back. The depth here is key, if someone stinks, Farrell can get rid of them. Much better than last year.
I think Boston finishes 4th. That rotation worries me for now, as well as injuries in the lineup. They'll be much improved over last year, and it would not surprise me if they make a run, but for now, it's 4th place.
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