After writing about the Cubs a couple
days ago, it’s now time to talk about the team I
picked to beat them in the World Series: the Boston Red Sox. Now let’s look
at the defending World Champs to see if they have areas to improve before the
trade deadline.
First, among position players, their only two potential
weaknesses are at SS and C. At SS, Julio Lugo is getting on base really well
this season, but his defense is once again suspect, at least according to the
advanced statistics. He’s at -2 FRAA,
83 Rate,
and .770 RZR.
That RZR ranks last among MLB shortstops. The bad news is that Lugo is still
signed for 3 more years, so he needs to play if he’s to provide value (either
on the field or in trade). If the Sox end up looking for alternatives, they
might not have to look any farther than Jed Lowrie. Lowrie has hit at both AAA
(.279/.375/.435) and in the majors (.310/.340/.476). Plus, he’s held his own on
defense, though in very limited time.
At catcher, Jason Varitek’s age might have caught up to him.
He’s striking out 26.9% of the time. While that’s not much worse than his
career 22.9%, his walk rate has also dropped to 8.6% (career 10.6%). That
amounts to a career low 0.35 BB/K (career 0.52). On top of it, his liner rate
has dropped to 11.7% (career 20.4%). However, there aren’t really any alternatives.
Even if there were options, could you see the Red Sox choosing someone over
Varitek? (On the other hand, did you expect them to trade Nomar Garciaparra?)
On the mound, the Red Sox have an embarrassment of riches.
With Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, Tim
Wakefield, Clay Buchholz, and Bartolo Colon, the Red Sox have plenty of SP to
choose from, but that hasn’t stopped them from coming up in the C.C. Sabathia traderumors.
Moving to the later innings, the Red Sox also have a full stable of options: Jonathan
Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, and Manny Delcarmen among others. If they choose to
acquire a pitcher, more power to them.
Potential holes to fill: C, SS
Potential trade bait: Jed Lowrie, Coco Crisp (he's still here?), Ryan Kalish,
Lars Anderson, Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden (Buchholz and
Masterson only listed for a potential Sabathia deal)
finally somebody agrees with me.i've been saying for over a month lugo has to go.he has almost as many errors as he does rbis.he makes two back to back by missing first base both times. hits his first hr his next time up and is made a hero?i've been saying "do a frank thomas on his #### and pay him to kill rallies elsewhere".his best hitting week was when they took up jed lowrie. lugo must of thought his time was up.when he found out he wasn't up just to play short lugo continued hitting into double plays,making errors,getting hits when nobody's on.his base running is also at its worse for someone with speed.he only seems to move up one base at a time.and maybe its just me but they also seem to put on the hit and run to move the runners or score when he's due up.knowing the inning is over if they don't score now.tek is still the best to call a game behind the plate.they ought to make him bat right handed and not switch.i believe then he'll hit about .270-.275 and for more power.playing the play book is not playing in his favor, just because he could years ago.i love my red sox but your right when it comes to them two.but do not trade the farm for one of anything c.c.,santana,haren,anything.dumb move.
This is baseball. Let's have some fun.
Recommended Websites:
MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Prospectus, Cot's Baseball Contracts, Fan Graphs, Football Outsiders
