Red Sox Re-Arm, But What About the Bats?

Offseason Profile
Boston Red Sox

The New York Yankees won the 2009 World Series. You know, just in case you'd been living under a rock for the past year. But you can bet your bottom dollar that the folks on the Massachusetts Turnpike have that pin-striped celebration etched deeply in their troubled minds. The evil empire (or at least one of them) did it with their bats, sure. But when it came down to the big outs, they did it with the guys on the mound. Tiny stadium? The opponents get that advantage, too. So the Yanks offered up C.C. Sabbathia, A.J. Burnett, and the ageless wonder Andy Pettite. Oh, and that one closer they have out there...Mariano.

Boston knows what it needs to get done. With one eye on their rivals in the Bronx, the Sox bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring All Star and former World Series winner John Lackey, formerly of the Angels. The Yankees countered with Javier Vazquez. If you had this question put to you, how would you answer? Which move was better?

The quick answer is to go with Lackey, and it may not be an unwise one. After all, this is a guy who won game 7 of the 2002 World Series--an extremely tense affair--as a rookie. This guy has Texas-sized guts to go with his blazing fastball. From 2003-2007, in the years following that epic victory, the Angels' ace started 33 games. In 2007, he won 19 games while compiling a 3.01 ERA. There are a lot of things to like about Lackey.

But another glance at the stats (though sometimes, I understand, stats aren't all that reliable) brings to mind some concerns worth noting. The past two seasons, Lackey has started only 24 (2008) and 27 (2009) games while dealing with some injuries. Even when healthy, Lackey has only won more than 14 games in that magical 2007 campaign, right before his numbers dropped off. His 3.83 ERA, while respectable, is the highest season total for the righthander since 2004, and he is now moving to a more hitter-friendly park in Boston. (The Monster isn't that imposing). One would think that one of the major attractions of acquiring Lackey was not only his top-notch stuff, but his ability to pitch in the clutch for a team that often finds itself in such situations. But since winning his first four playoff appearances (three in the 2002 title run and one in 2005), Lackey has struggled, losing four out of his last five. Not exactly coming through when it matters. To be fair, as the number one pitcher for the Angles, he was often matched up with the opponent's best. But the trend is more than a little concerning.




One thing that the Red Sox did improve was their defense. Adrian Beltre's bat may not be good for too many big hits anymore, but his glove will more than make up for minor discrepancies at the plate. The two-time Gold Glove award winner is renowned as one of the best third basemen in the league, and his bat may find that short (albeit tall) wall in left tempting. Mike Cameron is, frankly, a puzzling signing, but the Sox could do worse, I guess. He has some pop left, but the wheels may be getting a little rusty on the 37-year-old veteran. He probably won't be stealing many bases in Boston, but his work in the outfield could help, although the team would probably be best-served to leave the speedy Jacoby Ellsbury in Fenway's spacious center field.

There is some concern over the Red Sox's lack of hitting prowess, but that may be overblown. After all, this is a team that still boasts Ellsbury's speed at the top of the order, Pedroia's power, and experienced players like Youkilis, Cameron, Victor Martinez, J.D. Drew (when, nay, if healthy) and a (possibly) rejuvinated David Ortiz. There is some punch in that lineup yet. Put it this way: a lot of managers would love to have that kind of a batting order. Also, if the team can get any production out of the newly-acquired Marco Scutaro (taken mostly for his flashy leather) and reclamation project Bill Hall (former Brewers slugger/strikeout machine), that's just gravy.

So do not shed too many a tear for Boston. They'll be ready for the season, and should challenge the Yankees and Rays. It's going to be quite a battle, and there can be no doubt that ESPN will show us quite a lot of it.

The Red Sox may have been the team of the last decade. How will they start off the new one? Only April, and ultimately October, will tell.