Always next year
OK, you really can't expect to win the World Series every year, so I'm not really that disappointed. In fact the only thing I question is why Curt Schilling didn't start the must-win Game Three. I mean, that's the reason Boston got him, right? To pitch big games like that? And the ALDS ends with him sitting on the bench having not thrown an inning?
Argh!
But, no matter. At least they didn't lose to the Yankees - who are busy looking awful against a talented Anaheim team - and at least I still have my copy of the Boston Globe's front page depicting Boston winning the 2004 World Series.
Quite frankly, this wasn't the year. The Red Sox struggled to find consistency in their starting pitching and the bullpen was absolutely terrible (with the exception of the rise of Jonathan Papelpon). You can't really them fault too much seeing how Schilling spent the whole year recovering from offseason surgery and never really found his groove, while Keith Foulke's injury problems wasted his season.
Plus Edgar Renteria never looked comfortable at shortstop this year (and he also now has an unceremonious asterik next to his name for ending two seasons for two different teams, but both of the relating to Boston).
All of that will change I think. Both Schilling and Foulke will be back at 100 percent next year, while Renteria will have adjusted to pressure-packed Boston for season two. But there are other concerns out there.
1. Re-sign Johnny Damon.
Listen, I don't care if he starts making outrageous requests for things like gold-plated pitching machines and the concession stands to start stocking blintzes - this is a must for Boston. Much like how re-signing Jason Varitek was absolutely necessary last year, this is absolutely necessary this year ... only more so. Damon is the best center fielder the team has had since Fred Lynn (so we're talking like a 25- to 30-year span here). If the Red Sox don't sign him, the Yankees will. That alone should be enough motivation to keep him on.
2. Don't trade Manny.
I don't really know if I buy this 'Manny Ramirez wants out' stuff. I mean, doesn't this rumor come up every three or four months? Something as routine as Old Faithful? The guy's a bit like your crazy uncle. He comes over, has a bit too much to drink and starts telling everyone how much he hates them. Then he passes out for 20 minutes or so, before he wakes up, starts doling out hugs and breaks into a rendition of 'I Get Knocked Down' or some other obnoxious crowd anthem song.
That's what Manny does. That's what makes him so great. This is a guy who, upon signing with the Red Sox, wanted to bring with him the guy who fed balls into the pitching machine for the Indians. You just nod a bit and say 'sure, we'll see what we can do' ... knowing all the time, if you just pay him some attention, it'll all turn out fine.
So you can't break up the David Ortiz/Manny Ramirez 1-2 punch. It's the most dangerous hitting combination in Major League Baseball. You can't pitch around Big Papi because Manny is waiting on-deck. So give it some time ... Manny will want to stay.
3. Get a reliable No. 2 starter.
Anyone who witnessed the implosion that was the Matt Clement experiment understands that the Red Sox need a solid No. 2 guy. David Wells is pushing, like, 70, and Tim Wakefield is Tim Wakefield (I've never been a fan of the guy ... stemming primarily from my disdain for the knuckleball). Last year, I was pleading with Boston to re-sign Pedro because, well, he's Pedro.
That didn't happen, and now we've got this scenario on our hands ... Schilling and the cast of The Lost Boys. There are lots of options out there. Kevin Millwood is a free agent, as is A.J. Burnett. Perhaps work a trade and land someone (that's how Boston got Schilling), but just land a solid No. 2.
4. Free agents.
Bullpen help. Bullpen help. Bullpen help. Bullpen help. So re-sign Mike Timlin (like Papelpon, one of the few steady forces out there) and look for some left-handed relief.
I'd like an upgrade at first base, but it'll be tough to find a good fit on the market. Kevin Millar will probably be let go (rumor also has it he was the one who was the anonymous source criticizing Schilling), forcing the Red Sox to re-sign John Olerud. That would have been good in 1993, but I'm skeptical in 2006. Paul Konerko will be too pricey, while the rest of the market isn't too proven ... unless they can land Mike Piazza for a good buy, but he's had injury problems and his power production has gone down.
All in all ... it should be OK. At least Boston didn't have its season ended by the Yankees and some key pieces will be back and healthy next year. No need for panic.
Just re-sign Damon. Please.
Argh!
But, no matter. At least they didn't lose to the Yankees - who are busy looking awful against a talented Anaheim team - and at least I still have my copy of the Boston Globe's front page depicting Boston winning the 2004 World Series.
Quite frankly, this wasn't the year. The Red Sox struggled to find consistency in their starting pitching and the bullpen was absolutely terrible (with the exception of the rise of Jonathan Papelpon). You can't really them fault too much seeing how Schilling spent the whole year recovering from offseason surgery and never really found his groove, while Keith Foulke's injury problems wasted his season.
Plus Edgar Renteria never looked comfortable at shortstop this year (and he also now has an unceremonious asterik next to his name for ending two seasons for two different teams, but both of the relating to Boston).
All of that will change I think. Both Schilling and Foulke will be back at 100 percent next year, while Renteria will have adjusted to pressure-packed Boston for season two. But there are other concerns out there.
1. Re-sign Johnny Damon.
Listen, I don't care if he starts making outrageous requests for things like gold-plated pitching machines and the concession stands to start stocking blintzes - this is a must for Boston. Much like how re-signing Jason Varitek was absolutely necessary last year, this is absolutely necessary this year ... only more so. Damon is the best center fielder the team has had since Fred Lynn (so we're talking like a 25- to 30-year span here). If the Red Sox don't sign him, the Yankees will. That alone should be enough motivation to keep him on.
2. Don't trade Manny.
I don't really know if I buy this 'Manny Ramirez wants out' stuff. I mean, doesn't this rumor come up every three or four months? Something as routine as Old Faithful? The guy's a bit like your crazy uncle. He comes over, has a bit too much to drink and starts telling everyone how much he hates them. Then he passes out for 20 minutes or so, before he wakes up, starts doling out hugs and breaks into a rendition of 'I Get Knocked Down' or some other obnoxious crowd anthem song.
That's what Manny does. That's what makes him so great. This is a guy who, upon signing with the Red Sox, wanted to bring with him the guy who fed balls into the pitching machine for the Indians. You just nod a bit and say 'sure, we'll see what we can do' ... knowing all the time, if you just pay him some attention, it'll all turn out fine.
So you can't break up the David Ortiz/Manny Ramirez 1-2 punch. It's the most dangerous hitting combination in Major League Baseball. You can't pitch around Big Papi because Manny is waiting on-deck. So give it some time ... Manny will want to stay.
3. Get a reliable No. 2 starter.
Anyone who witnessed the implosion that was the Matt Clement experiment understands that the Red Sox need a solid No. 2 guy. David Wells is pushing, like, 70, and Tim Wakefield is Tim Wakefield (I've never been a fan of the guy ... stemming primarily from my disdain for the knuckleball). Last year, I was pleading with Boston to re-sign Pedro because, well, he's Pedro.
That didn't happen, and now we've got this scenario on our hands ... Schilling and the cast of The Lost Boys. There are lots of options out there. Kevin Millwood is a free agent, as is A.J. Burnett. Perhaps work a trade and land someone (that's how Boston got Schilling), but just land a solid No. 2.
4. Free agents.
Bullpen help. Bullpen help. Bullpen help. Bullpen help. So re-sign Mike Timlin (like Papelpon, one of the few steady forces out there) and look for some left-handed relief.
I'd like an upgrade at first base, but it'll be tough to find a good fit on the market. Kevin Millar will probably be let go (rumor also has it he was the one who was the anonymous source criticizing Schilling), forcing the Red Sox to re-sign John Olerud. That would have been good in 1993, but I'm skeptical in 2006. Paul Konerko will be too pricey, while the rest of the market isn't too proven ... unless they can land Mike Piazza for a good buy, but he's had injury problems and his power production has gone down.
All in all ... it should be OK. At least Boston didn't have its season ended by the Yankees and some key pieces will be back and healthy next year. No need for panic.
Just re-sign Damon. Please.
posted by Jmac at 9:33 AM
4 Comments:
If they're gonna re-sign Damon they should go ahead and buy him an arm also. I could throw better w/ my left foot, while eating a taco.
Given the choice, if you were GM, which two would you keep out of Damon, Ortiz, and Ramirez? And by GM of course I mean 'General McGinty'.
- Bryan
Tough call. But, examining this year only, Ortiz is under contract (for a steal mind you), so I say keep 'em both. Part of the problem they had this year was feeling the need to break up last year's team. I would have loved to have kept Pedro and Lowe (though it would have cost $90 million), but even more I would have loved to have Orlando Cabrera. I never got the rationale for getting Renteria.
But I'd keep 'em all. There is no two-out-of-three here padre.
Aww ... Johnny. What kind of answer is that. And coming from a sports writer. I guess you gave me a GM answer. How about this scenario:
Manny *wants* to leave, Ortiz wants more money (re-negotiation), and Damon wants a gold-lined locker. You can't do both Ortiz's re-negotiation and the gold locker for budget reasons. A-Rod is available on the free-agent market, but you would have to get rid of Manny and anyone else besides Renteria. What direction would you go?
Or would you even give up all three guys for A-Rod and Pedro together.
-Bryan
After A-Rod's spectacular postseason choke (the sequel), I'm passing on him. OK, the tough answer is I re-sign Damon and then re-negotiate with Big Papi. He's younger and is money in the clutch.
Sure, I want to keep Manny, but if you say I have to choose two ... I take someone who sets the table like Damon and then cleans it up like Ortiz. Despite by love of Manny, you can track down a right-handed slugger somewhere else.
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