MVN - Most Valuable Network

Red Sox Redux

The disappointing collapse of such a promising Red Sox team last year hardly seems like a bright spot. Jon Lester, David Ortiz and even Peter Gammons had health scares that put them in the hospital. In fact, the entire team became so ravaged with injury that Julian Tavarez was at one point our staff ace and Kevin Youkilis was at one point our cleanup hitter. The frustration of the 2006 season could be personified almost perfectly by a 5 game series against the Yankees in August. During that series the Red Sox pitching completely collapsed as Red Sox fans watched the team’s playoff hopes end in their own ballpark. It was in fact the biggest heartbreak that I, as a Red Sox fan, have endured since the 2003 ALCS. However, it did set into motion actions that will change the course of the Red Sox franchise for years to come. And just like the 2003 season, 2006 may have set the table for a year to celebrate. In fact, 2006 may have encouraged developments that could make the Red Sox one of the most powerful forces in baseball for years to come.

Fortunately, it wasn’t all disappointments that laid the groundwork for the 2007 season. Perhaps the most important developments of 2006 were the statements made by youngsters Jonathan Papelbon and Kevin Youkilis. Both young players proved not only that they could play at the major league level, but that they could be some of the most valuable players on a major league team. Last year also brought about the continued development of Jon Lester, Manny Delcarmen, Dustin Pedroia and Craig Hansen, all of which are products of the Red Sox farm system who will be counted on in 2007. Epstein’s revitalization of the Red Sox minor league system is finally starting to pay it’s dividends. The Red Sox don’t have the best system in baseball, but they do have a remarkable knack for refilling their system with top level prospects. Somehow, they’re always able to replace prospects that have either already reached the majors or were used in a trade. Unlike Red Sox teams of previous years, this Red Sox team will be receiving trade deadline reinforcements from within the organization as well as from without. Theo Epstein’s revitalization of the Red Sox farm system will be an invaluable tool in the revitalization of the Red Sox themselves.

The heart and soul of the Red Sox over the next few years will be their very good, young pitching staff. With the additions of Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jonathan Papelbon to the rotation the Red Sox will now have a trio of exciting 26 year old starters. Jonathan Lester, who will turn 23 next year will give the Red Sox 4 good, young starters under contract for at least the next 3 years. The young pitching depth doesn’t stop there though. The Red Sox also have a few young relief pitchers who will likely play key roles on the team next year. The first of which is Manny Delcarmen who looks to start the 2007 season in the majors. His final line of last year may not look that impressive but keep in mind that was battling injury. He was taking on a larger workload than he’s used to as well. He had an ERA of 3.66 with 29 strikeouts and 8 walks in his first 32 innings last year before suffering from a sore thumb. Delcarmen’s continued development in 2007 will be a large factor in either the success or failure of the Boston bullpen. He has had rather impressive control throughout his career and has the ability to strike out a batter an inning in the majors, as he did when he was first called up in 2005. If he’s got the gut for it he has the stuff to be a great setup man.

The Red Sox also have an electric arm in the former St. John’s closer, Craig Hansen. To many of you he may not be anything more than an over hyped prospect who doesn’t have the mental makeup for the majors. If you’re of that opinion, I urge you to reserve judgment for at least a bit longer. Hansen will be only 23 years old next year and was rushed to the majors far too fast. He first reached the majors in 2005, the year he was drafted. He hadn’t even pitched 12 innings in the minors, none at the AAA level. He skipped the A level but has put up an ERA of 0.44 in AA while allowing only 5 walks and striking out 22 in 20.2 innings. Such a successful transition to the AA level is usually an indication of a pitcher capable of transitioning to the majors. Hansen will start the season in AAA where he had an ERA of 2.75 last year. He’s yet to pitch 60 innings in the minors and will attempt to get his ERA back down below 2 before being promoted to the majors in 2007. With Hansen’s fastball in the high-nineties, his hard slider and his closer experience in college he could make for an interesting call-up next year.

Just as fortunate is that the Red Sox will again be returning the best 1-2 offensive punch in baseball. Both David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez have a knack for both production and the big hit. It would be hard such quality, clutch batters on any other team. The Red Sox had the two big bats last year as well but now have a lineup that will be more balanced and fast than any other Red Sox lineup of recent memory. The Red Sox shouldn’t be as sluggish on the bases as they have been in the past. Their lineup will now feature Lugo, Drew, Crisp and Pedroia. Drew should also offer some protection for Manny. A healthy Varitek and Crisp could also have a large impact on the lineup next year. The Red Sox have made significant improvements in both their pitching and offense. Many people have criticized the front office for spending so much money this offseason. While they have taken some risks on long term deals, they’ve also locked up key players who should be able to help the team play at a high level for many years to come.

With a championship already in hand this decade, perhaps John Henry and Co. are looking to return the Red Sox to the status they enjoyed early in the last century. They were in fact baseball’s original dynasty winning a third of the first 15 World Series championships. If I made such a comparison just years ago I’d probably sound crazy. Boy, how things have changed. Many people have said that the Red Sox identity has been lost this offseason and they’re right. These are not the lovable losers that the Red Sox once were. They’re a far cry from the Red Sox of 2004 as well, with most of that team having left. Still, it’s hard not to become just as excited about the new Red Sox. Just thinking about next year you can almost see Matsuzaka taking the mound in Kansas City. You can almost hear the Fenway crowd as the new bolstered offense rounds the bases. With the strange mildness of this winter, I’ve found myself thinking how much the air smells more like October than it does January. I can’t help notice the appropriateness of the Japanese flag and it’s rising sun as a symbol for the new Red Sox. And as Japanese fans come to Fenway Park to proudly raise their red flags, perhaps the Red Sox will be raising a red banner of their own in October. It’s an exciting time to be a Red Sox fan.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 at 1:19 am and is filed under Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox / Mike Edelman, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, Minor Leagues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.