The Retiring of Ryan Westmoreland

I commented on Jackie Bradley Junior, the most exciting prospect in Spring Training (my personal view), earlier this week. Prospects are the Sox’s future, and they’ve sacrificed a lot to get these prospects (Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Nick Punto, all of last season for a higher draft pick, etc.). I feel prospects are more exciting then big-name signings because they’re “homegrown” really, even if obtained via trades. Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Will Middlebrooks are all products of the Red Sox farm system who have made a significant impact on the make-up of today’s team.

With all that said; sometimes, prospects never become who the player and team envisions, for one reason or another. Ryan Westmoreland, at one time the highest-ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization, was one of those prospects. Unfortunately, Westmoreland’s unfulfilled potential wasn’t because of lack of talent, determination, luck, or anything else that is usually associated prospects not making it.

In 2009, Westmoreland batted .296 with 7 home runs and 35 RBIs in 60 games with Lowell. Prior to the 2010 season, Baseball America ranked him the 21st-best prospect in the country. He had everything going for him, professionally, and he was still only 20 years old when the 2010 season started. But, it all changed.

If you’ve been following the Sox at all the last few years, you may have recalled the struggles Ryan Westmoreland went through. Prior to the 2010 season beginning, he was experiencing weakness, and an MRI revealed he had a cavernous malformation at his brainstem. He had brain surgery to repair this in March of 2010. He was determined though and rehabilitated during the 2011-2012 seasons. Unfortunately, he had setback that required another surgery in July 2012. Ryan Westmoreland retired from baseball yesterday at age 22.

I generally don’t follow many of the Red Sox prospects on Twitter, but I knew I needed to follow Westmoreland (@RWesty25). Despite everything he’s been through over the years, he always seems to have a positive outlook on life. On 2/17/13, he tweeted: MRI is all good! Next stop, the Sunshine State! I admit; I smiled when I read this.

Part of me hoped that Ryan Westmoreland would make it back into baseball; but part of me thought he could do so much more. He’s an inspiration, even if he never played a Major League baseball game. Sometimes, it’s the people who aren’t the famous sports figures that are the most inspirational.

If you have a chance to read any of the articles The Boston Globe wrote about Ryan Westmoreland, I suggest you do it. To think, this man is only 22 years old, has been through so much in his life, and he keeps his chin up. Yes, he had to set his dream of being a professional baseball player aside, but I’m sure he’ll do so much more with his life. I hope the Red Sox keep him around the organization in some capacity (Jimmy Fund?), but I know he’ll still do great things.

Jackie Bradley Junior

If you’ve been paying any attention to Spring Training this season, you’ll know of the emergence of Jackie Bradley Junior. He was selected 40th overall in the 2011 draft, was awarded the Minor League Defensive Player of the Year by the Red Sox for the 2012 season, and hit .315 with 55 extra-base-hits, 87 walks, and 63 RBIS (in 128 games) last year. He’ll be 23 next month and is ranked 32nd in MLB.com Top Prospects for 2013.

Bradley’s been argued to be the Red Sox’s center fielder of the future, once Jacoby Ellsbury has moved on from the Sox. I’m not here to argue whether Ellsbury will indeed sign elsewhere after the season (facts: Scott Boras is Ellsbury’s agent). But let’s face it, the Sox need and will get younger over the next couple years. They have some exciting prospects and rookies that’ll make a difference (look no further than Will Middlebrooks from last season, even if his season was derailed by a freak accident).

In six Spring Training games this season, Bradley has hit .533 (8 for 17) with 4 runs, 1 RBI, 1 double, and 1 stolen base. He’s struck out twice and walked once. Yes, this is a very small, limited, sample size, but that’s what Spring Training is about. It’s a chance to see new guys and what they can (potentially) do.

Bradley didn’t go further than AA last year, so I doubt the Sox are in any hurry to trade Ellsbury away and make room on the big league roster for Bradley. But, Bradley could be making a case about bench spot or even a case to make room for him before the trade deadline this year.

The Sox’s outfield for 2013 appears to be as follows, pending any trades: left field- Jonny Gomes (signed a 2 year/ $10 million contract this off season), center field- Jacoby Ellsbury (will be a free agent after the 2013 season), and right field- Shane Victorino (signed a 3 year/ $39 million contract this off season). The Sox have Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney, Jeremy Hazelbaker, and Mitch Maier also fighting for a bench spot.

Whether Bradley joins the Red Sox roster in 2013 or 2014, one thing is for certain; he will be making the roster and providing a spark for the Sox in the near future. He’s going to be a young, exciting outfielder to watch, much like Jacoby Ellsbury when he burst onto the scene in 2007 (everyone remembers the stolen base off the Yankees).

Spring Training is a chance for the teams and the fans to see more than just the 25-man roster players; it’s also a chance to see the future. If Bradley lives up to the hype, the Sox’s future looks bright.

It's Been Awhile...

It’s been months (four to be exact) since the last time I posted something on this blog.  Let's face it, we all needed a break after last year’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad season. The Sox have changed since then; I’ve changed since then. So, I thought I’d start this newest post with a recap of what happened with the Red Sox since the last time I posted.

New Manager- John Farrell
The Red Sox finally got their man, John Farrell. I believe I posted last year how I thought the Sox had signed Bobby Valentine to a two-year contract as a “bridge” because John Farrell had that much time left on his contract. Valentine was fired (much to the happiness of many in Sox Nation), and Farrell was acquired from the Blue Jays for on October 21, 2012, and calm was restored to the team.

Departures: Mike Aviles, Cody Ross, and many others
I could’ve added so many more names to this list, but I think it’s important to stick with these three.

Mike Aviles had been with the Sox for two seasons, which is a huge accomplishment for a Red Sox shortstop since their life-span seems to be a season or less. He was traded to the Blue Jays when the Sox acquired Farrell, and then traded to the Indians. I always liked Aviles; he seemed like a good teammate, added a little pop in the line-up every now and then, and played average defense. But, for the first time in years, the Sox have many different options for shortstop (Iglesias, Bogaerts, Merrero, and acquiring Stephen Drew for the season). My prediction: Aviles will have a great season with the Indians under Francona.

Cody Ross was one of the few good things from last season. He was a fun player to watch (he was almost like the outfield version of Pedroia), hit 22 home runs (third highest total behind Saltalamacchia’s 25 and Ortiz’s 23), and was always hustling (not always the case among Red Sox players). Ross wanted a long-term deal though, and the Sox weren’t willing to go as far as Ross wanted. He ended up signing a 4-year deal with the Diamondbacks. Let’s hope this doesn’t turn into another black mark like not signing Adrian Beltre.

Additions: Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Jonny Gomes, David Ross, Ryan Dempster, Joel Hanrahan, Koji Uehara, and as of today, Mike Carp

So, the Sox added a lot of players this offseason. Not one of these players were the most coveted free agents in their positions (well, maybe Uehara since he has GREAT numbers for a reliever), and all considered “good clubhouse guys.” The thought is to have these great clubhouse guys will change the toxic atmosphere that had befallen the Sox in recent years. “Superstars” Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford were traded because of “attitudes,” among other things.

Napoli was the main target this offseason, and took the most time to complete the deal because of his hip issues. Honestly, I haven’t been overly impressed with Napoli over the years, but I’m willing to give him a shot. First base will be interesting this season as there is a different structure to inter-league games now that there are 1 teams in each league. Ortiz will be playing more at first, Napoli will be primarily a first baseman, and Carp was just traded for to add depth.

Victorino and Gomes’ signings are the ones that confused me the most. I could see signing them to a 1 or maybe 2-year deal, but 3? I don’t dislike either player, but the Sox are trying to go younger. They’re both 32. Plus, the Sox keep touting the outfield prospects like Bradley, who could possibly replace Ellsbury after this season.

David Ross was signed to platoon with Saltalamacchia and allow more time in the minors for Lavarnway. From everything I’ve seen and read, he’s a guy who can call a good game (something the Sox pitchers need) and has some pop in his bat. He hit .256 last season in 176 at bats, which is more than the Sox can ask for out of the catching position.

I’ve been saying since last year that the Sox needed to sign Dempster, and they did. I know I’ll eat my words if he has a horrible season, but I think he’s a fun guy. Living in “Cubs” territory, I’ve heard a lot about Dempster over the years, and he’s always seemed like a consistent pitcher, averaging around 200 innings a season. For a projected number 4 starter (behind Lester, Buchholz, and Lackey), that’s what the Sox need. And, it also doesn’t hurt that he is Kevin Millar’s best friend and seems to have about the same amount of energy as Millar.

Hanrahan had an ERA of 2.72 with the Pirates last year, and 1.83 the previous season. He’s also made the All Star Team the past two seasons as a closer. With Bailey being injured most of the last season and pitching sub-par when he returned (not blaming it on him since I believe he needed more conditioning after his injury and still think he’ll be a solid reliever this season), the Sox needed to get a closer. Hanrahan was there man, and they sent IF/OF Jerry Sands (acquired in the Dodgers trade), reliever Mark Melancon (he’ll need a new place to start over after last season), and prospects Stolmy Pimental and Ivan De Jesus.

Iowans: Joel Hanrahan and Ryan Sweeney
Joel Hanrahan is from Des Moines, Iowa, and the Sox re-signed Ryan Sweeney to a minor league deal. Sweeney promised, via Twitter, to not punch any doors this season.

Well, that’s the post for today. This season, I’m hoping to post a few times a week. First official Spring Training game is Saturday versus Tampa Bay.

Hot Stove Needs to Heat Up Again

Last week, the Sox made a couple moves, most notably signing Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino to “bookend” 3-year/ $39 million deals. Is this enough? Are the Sox still in on Hamilton? Do they want Hamilton? Don’t they need pitching… desperately? Here is my take on what’s going on right now in Red Sox Nation.

As previously stated, the Sox signed Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino last week. It seems like the Sox had been circling Napoli for ages, and they probably have. He’s versatile, being able to catch, play first base, and DH. This is something I feel the Red Sox need, since having people in stuck positions and injuries popping up all over the place last year left them with much to be desired. Napoli is a career .259 hitter, but batted only .227 last year with the Rangers (.320 in 2011 though). He did hit 24 home runs last year, which is a welcomed sight for the Sox in order to protect David Ortiz. Plus, he’s only 31 years old, which would put him at 34 at the end of his contract. While 34 isn’t seen as “young,” by any baseball standards, players are still able to produce at 34. Plus, there’s the fact that Napoli crushes at Fenway (in the past three seasons, Napoli has hit .366 with 2 doubles, 6 home runs, and 15 RBIs).

The Sox also signed the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” to the same deal Napoli received. This one makes me scratch my head a little more. Victorino is 32 years and career .275 hitter, though he has been waning downward the past few years (.259 in 2010, .279 in 2011, and .255 in 2012). He has speed (39 stolen bases last year with the Phillies and Dodgers), and he has the ability to play all three outfield positions, though he mostly has played in center field. He’s won 3 Gold Gloves (2008-2010 in the NL) and has lead the NL in Triples twice (2009 and 2011). I’m not necessarily saying that signing Victorino is a bad thing (obviously he has had a lot of uptick over the past few years), but I was certain the Sox would re-sign Cody Ross.

The other, slightly more controversial, signing the Sox did was signing Jonny Gomes to a 2-year/ $10 million contract. I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about Jonny Gomes unless you count interviews I’ve seen with him on “Intentional Talk” and that he was one of the Rays involved in the bench-clearing brawl between the Sox and Rays where we all witnessed Coco Crisp’s excellent boxing abilities. Other than that, I’ve only heard “he’s a great ‘clubhouse’ guy.” So, stat-wise, he’s a career .244 hitter (.262 last year with the A’s). He had 18 homes runs last year and 47 RBIs. He can play both left and right field, though he seems to play the majority in left field. He’s also 32.

Though the Sox have checked in on both Hamilton and Cody Ross, and haven’t ruled either one out (Jacoby Ellsbury trade?), it would appear neither one is seen as a “must have.” The Sox outfield is pretty much set. They have some younger guys (Ciriaco, Gomz, Kalish) that can hang out in Triple-A to get playing time until they are needed. They have an over-abundance of catchers (Saltalamacchia, Lavarnway, David Ross, and Napoli) that can be pieces in a trade (for a pitcher?).

The Sox need pitching. They’re projected rotation at the moment is Lester, Buchholz, Doubront, Lackey, and Morales. Lester and Buchholz are set, no matter what whisperings of a trade we may hear (except for maybe a trade for Felix Hernandez, which will not happen). Doubront did fine last year, but he should be a number 4 or 5 starter. Lackey was out all of last season with Tommy John surgery, so no one is sure how he’ll come back. Plus, he’s least than desirable among the fans, no matter if he helped recruit Napoli or not (that’s the rumor). Morales was fine as a long-relief, 6th starter type of role, just not sure how I feel about him as our number 5 guy.

What to do? I’m going to declare right now that the Sox will not re-sign Matsuzaka. The Sox were said to make a 2-year/ $25 million offer on Ryan Dempster, which he declined (he wants 3 years). (Side note- if you’ve seen their interviews with Kevin Millar on “Intentional Talk,” could you imagine a team with both Dempster and Gomes?) Kyle Lohse and Anibal Sanchez are also desirable free agents. These three (Dempster, Lohse, and Sanchez) seem to be the best of the free agent starting pitchers, in my opinion, that are still available. I’m guessing the Sox won’t go more than 3 years on any of them, so not sure if they’d come to Boston (while Dempster is 36 and may not get more than 3 years, Lohse is 34 and Sanchez is 29). Keep in mind that Jamie Moyer (50 years old) has said he wants to pitch again.

Trades are always an option. The Sox are rumored to have checked in on R.A. Dickey with the Mets, but did not want to give up both Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. for 1 year of service by Dickey. It would be nice to have another knuckleballer with the Sox (oh Wakefield, how we miss you), but the team does not need to give up two of their best prospects for a year of service. (FYI- I’m currently reading R.A. Dickey’s memoir, and it is a very interesting read.)

People who know me know that I’m hopeful the Sox will make a trade with the Indians for Justin Masterson. He’d be a great number 4 or 5 starter, has worked with Farrell before, and he’s an “innings eater” (206.1 innings last year, 216.0 in 2011). Plus, he’ll only be 28 at the start of the season, and won’t be a free agent until 2015.

So, that’s just a quick review of what has happened and what may be on the horizon. Basically, the Sox need to make a few more (maybe major, maybe minor) moves in the next two months. Things will start to become clearer by February 1st, I’m thinking. Thanks for checking in.

Welcome Back, John Farrell

John Farrell was officially announced as the new manager for the Red Sox at a press conference yesterday.  He’s the man ownership, management, fans, and players wanted to succeed Terry Francona, and they eventually pried him away from the Blue Jays (for Mike Aviles).  Is it too late for this team after the tumultuous past season?  I don’t think so.

John Farrell was the Red Sox’s pitching coach from 2007-2010 and went to the Blue Jays as manager in 2011, when it looked like Francona would never leave the organization (how quickly things changed).  While a pitching coach, Sox pitchers had a different type of swagger to them; they were in control.  For example, in 2007 (when the Red Sox won the World Series), Sox pitchers had a collective 3.87 ERA and a 1.273 WHIP.  In 2012, Sox pitchers had a collective 4.70 ERA and a 1.371 WHIP.

How does this speak to Farrell as a manager?  Well, our starting pitching has been troublesome the past two seasons.  We’ve had 3 pitching coaches since Farrell left (Curt Young, Bob McClure, and Randy Niemann).  Farrell has proved that he has a unique way of dealing with the Red Sox pitchers that has not been duplicated since his departure.  In terms of improvement of the pitching staff, Farrell will understand what is needed of his pitchers and how to deal with them- the team will essentially have two pitching coaches to look for ways to improve the staff.

Also, many of the key position players on the Sox were around when John Farrell was last on the Sox- Pedroia, Ellsbury, Ortiz.  Pedroia and Ortiz are the unofficial “captains” of this team (even if Ortiz isn’t technically on the Sox roster at the moment.  It will happen).  These three players are the keys to getting this team to play the way we all know and wish they can play.  Farrell already has their respect from years past, and the relationship won’t need to be forced.

Farrell has also rumored to have reached out to Cody Ross, a player who was only signed through the 2012 season for $3 million.  There’s been a lot of talk over the past month or two about Ross returning.  If Farrell did in fact contact Cody Ross, after he was signed as manager, then that indicated Farrell would like to work with Ross, as a member of the Boston Red Sox.  Cody Ross is a good player with a great attitude, kind of like how Kevin Millar was for the 2004 Red Sox.  We may need a player like that this year, and Ross would be a good fit… again.

It’s also rumored that Farrell is going to be bringing Lovullo, who was Pawtucket’s manager in 2010, with him as his bench coach from the Jays.  Lovullo will be familiar with some of the younger, less experienced players that have found their way onto this team.  Lovullo was also rumored to be in line for a managerial position last year, so he can only more knowledge to this team that has lost its way over the past two seasons.

Another interesting tidbit about Farrell is someone who will probably not be on the coaching staff (or maybe he will), Jason Varitek.  Varitek was hired as a special assistant to the general manager last month.  Varitek has always been known as a great baseball-mind, and I’m sure he worked very closely with Farrell and the pitching staff in the past.  Could the knowledge between Varitek and Farrell turn this team, and especially the pitching, around?  My guess is Varitek with be a coach on Farrell’s staff at some point in the next three years.

John Farrell commands respect, you can tell by the way he handles himself.  I didn’t watch very much of the press conference yesterday (I do work, afterall), but what little I did see, was a vast difference from what we saw less than a year ago when Bobby Valentine was announced as manager.  Farrell and Cherington were at the podium together, not encased with Henry, Lucchino, and Werner.  Farrell took a picture holding his jersey, not doing the whole “putting the jersey on like a player signing” thing.  There was very much a partnership between Farrell and Cherington, something that was lacking this past season with Cherington and Valentine.

Only time will tell how John Farrell’s tenure will be with the Boston Red Sox.  The team needs a lot of work to succeed into the postseason again, but the Sox may have finally found the man who can help get that done.  To think, the man who many wanted to replace Francona if he was ever to leave the Red Sox is fulfilling that prophecy (with only one, rough speedbump to get over).

Welcome Back... to the Blog!

It has been months since I have updated the blog.  As I posted on my last blog, it was hard to get excited about team that didn’t seem too excited to play.  I did watch (at least parts) of mostly every game towards the end of the season, but it was difficult.  Valentine wasn’t managing the way the players needed him to manage- with passion.  Players were injured, players were returning from injuries, and players so far down on the depth-chart that they seemed to come out of nowhere were starting.

I know these should not be excuses.  I love the Sox; I have always loved the Sox.  Watching and writing about this team everyday was like reliving a nightmare, over and over and over again. 

So, with that all said, I have decided I will write in the blog when I choose.  It’s the offseason (well, the World Series starts tonight, but it’s the offseason for the Sox).  The Red Sox have fired Valentine, traded for/hired Farrell as manager, and there’s a new sense of optimism.  Heck, even I, who is very pessimistic with this team at times, have a new sense of optimism after the Farrell signing.  When things come up this Hot Stove Season that I feel the need to write about, I will write. 

Honestly, I need to get back into the groove of writing.  Writing is a passion of mine, as well as the Sox.  I identify myself as a writer, and I need to make it a priority again.  So, without further adieu, welcome back to the blog and enjoy my post about the new Red Sox manager, John Farrell.

Lack of Enthusiasm

So, as you've probably noticed, I have not posted in quite awhile.  In fact, it's been almost two weeks.  You  know the sad part?  There's nothing really to report.  The Sox have one 2-3 games since the last time I've posted, and the team seems to be on autopilot.

Unless something major happens with the team between now and the end of the season, I don't think I'm going to be posting everyday, like I had been.  There's nothing really to say. 

The team is in last place.  The only "good" thing they can do at this point is to play spoiler, which I hope they do (they did last night!).  For the record, I'm rooting for the Orioles to take the division, the Rays to get a wild card spot, and the Yankees missing the playoffs.

So that's that.  In the postseason, or "Hot Stove Season," I'll be updating when I find things interesting or the Sox make a transaction.  This season is done for the Sox- they are 14 games below .500, by the way.