Oct 04 2013 11:24 AM
The Red Sox have performed a complete turnaround after a last place finish in 2012 with a 69-93 record to having the best record in Major League Baseball at 97-65. While the extent of their success is unexpected, careful observers should not be surprised that the Red Sox would be a contending team this season as they have a very solid core with players such as Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and David Ortiz and pitchers Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Clay Buckholz.
The turnaround can be traced to the August 25, 2012 trade that sent increasingly dissatisfied (and increasingly scorned by Red Sox fans) big-name players Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett, and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers, freeing up payroll. During the offseason, the Red Sox did not go after sexy, big-name FA's but instead pieced together a roster with a number of solid players akin to those who lead the Red Sox to World Series victory in 2004. Additions including Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew, Shane Victorino, Johnny Gomes, and Koji Uehara have all contributed to the Red Sox success.
Also, they have beards:
Batting:
First in AL in Runs, Doubles, OBP, SLG, OPS, Second in Hits, Walks, and BA.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C .273/.338/.466
The man with the longest surname in MLB, Salty has settled in as Jason Varitek's replacement with his best season at the plate, including 40 doubles.
Mike Napoli, 1B .259/.360/.482
After an all-star season with the Rangers, Napoli signed with the Red Sox as a FA and moved from catching to first base. He drove in a career-high 92 RBI and was able to stay healthy all season earning a $8 million bonus
Dustin Pedroia, 2B .301/.372/.415
One of the few players to have played on the 2007 World Series Champions, the 2007 ROY and 2008 MVP continues to lead the Sox bouncing back from an injury-plagued 2012 to have a league leading 724 plate appearance. He currently ranks as my son's third favorite Red Sox player.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B .227/.271/.425
The emergence of Middlebrooks in 2012 made it possible for the Red Sox to trade declining fan favorite Kevin Youklis, but he suffered a sophomore slump in 2013 and spent part of the season at AAA Pawtucket. He's been more solid since returning to the majors in August, and made his debut as a first baseman near the end of the season.
Stephen Drew, SS .253/.333/.443
The younger brother of J.D. Drew wears the same number 7 that the elder Drew wore on the Red Sox from 2007-11. Rather charmingly, my son has adopted Stephen Drew as his favorite player.
Daniel Nava, LF .303/.385/.445
Nava's first full season with the Red Sox (after two partial seasons in 2010 & 2012) saw him playing all outfield positions. He hit a three-run home run which proved to be the winning margin on April 20, 2013, the first Red Sox home game after the Boston Marathon bombings earlier that week.
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF .298/.355/426
Another 2007 World Series veteran, Ellsbury recovered from an injury-plagued 2012 to lead the league in stolen bases with 52. A compression fracture in the foot put him on the DL again in late August. Although he returned to the team on September 25, it remains to be seen what contribution he may be able to make in the postseason.
Shane Victorino, RF .294/.351/.451
Once a Phillie, Victorino is much more pleasant as the Red Sox right fielder, putting up numbers approaching his Philadelphia prime after a couple of off-years.
David Ortiz, DH .309/.395/.564
Ortiz is the only player remaining from the curse-breaking 2004 squad. His 2012 season was shortened by injury but t 37, Ortiz became the first Red Sox player his age or older, and seventh player in history, to bat .300, hit 30 home runs, and drive in 100 runs in a single season.
He also has a bit of a potty mouth.
[youtube]aHwF8Q0SkIk[/youtube]
Bench:
Gomes, Carp, and Ross are almost certain to be on the postseason lineup, while Berry and Bogaerts are educated guesses.
Johnny Gomes, OF .247/.344/.426
Gomes is likely to get some postseason starts and I could've put him in the lineup and Nava on the bench.
Mike Carp, UT .296/.362/.523
Carp has flourished in his first season getting regular play after coming to the Red Sox from Seattle. He prmarily plays 1B or LF.
David Ross, C .216/.298/.382
Every team needs a backup catcher, and Ross did a decent job filling in for Saltalamacchia early in the season. 25 y.o. Ryan Lavarnway is the Sox other option for catcher.
Quintin Berry, OF .625/.667/1.00
The Red Sox acquired Berry in a trade with the Tigers in August. He's likely to be used as a speedy pinch runner for Napoli or Ortiz late in games.
Xander Bogaerts, IF .250/.320/.364
The rookie is one of the Red Sox top prospects and was promoted from AAA Pawtucket in August. I was lucky enough to witness his first career home run against the Yankees in September.
Rotation:
The Red Sox pitching does not compare to the star power of the Tigers, but it is solid from top to bottom. Recoveries from injuries and/or bad seasons are the theme here.
John Lester, LHP 15-8, 3.75, 177 SO
Lester has recovered from a disappointing 2012 campaign. He's another veteran of the 2007 World Series Champions.
John Lackey, RHP 10-13, 3.52, 161 SO
After missing the entire 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery, Lackey has returned to form. He also known for some strange superstitions.
Clay Buchholz , RHP 12-1, 1.74, 96 SO
Buchholz had a great start, going 5-0 and winning AL Pitcher of the Month. Unfortunately, he was sidelined from June to September with a neck energy, but has performe well since returning.
Jake Peavy, RHP 12-5, 4.17, 121 SO
The one time Cy Young Award winner was acquired in a three-team trade with the White Sox at the trade deadline to shore up the rotation and has not disappointed.
Felix Doubront, LHP 11-6, 4.32, 139 SO
Ryan Dempster, RHP 8-9, 4.57, 157 SO
Doubront and Dempster have had ample appearances in the Red Sox rotation both before Peavy was acquired and to fill in during Buchholz's absence, but they're likely to work out of the bullpen during the postseason. Doubront seems to start almost every game my son and I attend.
Bullpen:
The bullpen has been a sore spot for the Red Sox in recent years, and looked like it would continue to be a problem when both Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan went down with season ending injuries early on. But then,
Koji Uehara, RHP 4-1, 1.09, 101 SO (21 saves)
The 38 y.o. pitcher signed with the Sox as a set-up man, but was converted to closer with great success. At one point in the season he retired 37 consecutive batters. He currently ranks #2 on my son's list of favorite Red Sox.
To be honest, I don't what to say about the rest of the bullpen. They all seem capable enough, but they fly under the radar, so I don'r really know them. Tazawa and Breslow will likely be on the postseason roster, and with Doubront and Dempster, the Sox have lots of options.
Junichi Tazawa, RHP 5-4, 3.16, 72 SO
Craig Breslow, LHP 5-2, 1.81, 33 SO
Brandon Workman, RHP 6-3, 4.97, 47 SO
Franklin Morales, LHP 2-2, 4.62, 21 SO
Matt Thornton, LHP 0-1, 3.52, 9 SO
