Boston Red Sox 2010 preview
Article By cbahr.tsn on 16th February, 2010
Chris Bahr
The remixed Red Sox will feature new starters at five of the eight defensive positions, as compared to opening day 2009. And they could look even more different in 2011, as David Ortiz, Josh Beckett, Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell all are in the final years of their contracts. In addition to the new faces this season, there is a new approach. Actually, it is a return to an old approach: defense and pitching.
The Red Sox won the John Lackey pursuit, and Daisuke Matsuzaka could wind up in the bullpen. Three questions 1. Do they have enough offense?
The same question was asked when Boston traded Manny Ramirez in July 2008. But Jason Bay filled in admirably, outproducing Manny from that point through the 2009 season. Bay is gone now, and the team didn't sign a run producer to replace him. Instead, the Red Sox put an emphasis on run prevention with the acquisitions of center fielder Mike Cameron, third baseman Adrian Beltre and righthander John Lackey. It would help if the move to hitter-friendly Fenway Park revived Beltre's bat and if Cameron chipped in with 20-plus homers.
Still, the Red Sox seem content. "Our goal is not to have the most prolific offense, although we wouldn't complain if that turns out to be the case," Red Sox manager Terry Francona says. "Our goal is to try and win the most games possible in a very difficult division. We feel like we potentially have a very strong pitching staff, and if our defense plays up to its capabilities our staff should be even stronger."
2. Who will be left out of the rotation?
Clay Buchholz went 7-4 with a 4.21 ERA after replacing the injured Tim Wakefield in the rotation in the second half of 2009. His time has come. But it is easy to forget that Wakefield was 11-3 with a 4.31 ERA and was named to his first All-Star team before injuring his back. Francona has stated that he doesn't want t...
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The Red Sox won the John Lackey pursuit, and Daisuke Matsuzaka could wind up in the bullpen. Three questions 1. Do they have enough offense?
The same question was asked when Boston traded Manny Ramirez in July 2008. But Jason Bay filled in admirably, outproducing Manny from that point through the 2009 season. Bay is gone now, and the team didn't sign a run producer to replace him. Instead, the Red Sox put an emphasis on run prevention with the acquisitions of center fielder Mike Cameron, third baseman Adrian Beltre and righthander John Lackey. It would help if the move to hitter-friendly Fenway Park revived Beltre's bat and if Cameron chipped in with 20-plus homers.
Still, the Red Sox seem content. "Our goal is not to have the most prolific offense, although we wouldn't complain if that turns out to be the case," Red Sox manager Terry Francona says. "Our goal is to try and win the most games possible in a very difficult division. We feel like we potentially have a very strong pitching staff, and if our defense plays up to its capabilities our staff should be even stronger."
2. Who will be left out of the rotation?
Clay Buchholz went 7-4 with a 4.21 ERA after replacing the injured Tim Wakefield in the rotation in the second half of 2009. His time has come. But it is easy to forget that Wakefield was 11-3 with a 4.31 ERA and was named to his first All-Star team before injuring his back. Francona has stated that he doesn't want t...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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