The 2013 season was a whole lot of fun, and the playoffs took that fun to an abnormal level, but now it’s time to move on. The hangovers have been quelled, the streets have been cleaned, and the championship attire has been purchased. Let’s take a look at the 2014 Red Sox and what they might look like.
Note – Please read Matt Kline’s piece from yesterday. I hadn’t read it when I wrote this, but he covers a lot of the same stuff. That’s just the kind of thorough analysis you should expect from MTAF Boston.
Catcher – Jarrod Saltalamacchia is a free agent and was not tendered any type of contract by the team. David Ross will be around, and the Sox should be interested in supplementing Ross with another catcher who can shoulder the load should Ross miss any time with an injury. That said, the playoffs showed that a “good field, bad hit” type backstop can win you a title. I’m cool with Ross, Ryan Lavarnway, and another low-risk option.
Potential targets: Saltalamacchia, Carlos Ruiz, a giant cardboard cutout of Jason Varitek
First Base – Mike Napoli is also a free agent, but has expressed interest in coming back to the team. 1B being a relatively easy position to fill, I don’t think Ben Cherington and Sox brass will need to overpay Napoli. If he signs for reasonable money, that’s great. If not, move on.
Potential targets: Napoli, Paul Konerko, Justin Morneau
Second Base – Boston is better positioned than any other MLB team at 2B. Dustin Pedroia is not only the best in the business, but he’s the heart of the franchise (David Ortiz is the soul, in case you were wondering).
Shortstop – Stephen Drew is a free agent, but it will cost any suitors a first round draft pick in addition to Drew’s salary requirements. I think that pick likely means Drew will be back in Boston. If he’s not, Xander Bogaerts could slide right into this slot
Potential targets: Drew, Jhonny Peralta (just for Matt – although, he does hit lefties about as good as Drew hits righties, could be a heck of a platoon), Bogaerts full time
Third Base – Here’s another slot Bogaerts could fill. Will Middlebrooks was thought to be the future here, until he had an atrocious season both in Boston and in AAA Pawtucket. Now the spot is murky. If they sign Drew, Bogaerts probably plays third and Middlebrooks becomes trade bait. If not, they might look at:
Potential targets: Bogaerts, Middlebrooks, Michael Young, Kevin Youkilis?
Right Field – Shane Victorino is the first Red Sox player I remember causing the entire Fenway crowd to burst into song whenever he takes the plate. That bodes well for his future here. We’re all good.
Left Field – Jonny Gomes and Daniel Nava were a relatively successful platoon in left for the playoffs, with Gomes coming up with one of the biggest blasts of the season. I think maintaining that platoon bodes very well for the 2014 team.
Center Field – This slot will need some attention. Jacoby Ellsbury is the second most sought position player on the market this year (Robinson Cano and his $300 mil contract expectations being first on most lists). Cherington and the rest of the GM’s office have been burned by long term contracts in the past, and there’s next to no chance Ellsbury signs for fewer than 7 years. There will be someone new in the middle outfield next season, possibly a Sox farmhand.
Potential Targets: Ellsbury, Shin-Soo Choo, Curtis Granderson, Jackie Bradley Jr
Designated Hitter – David Ortiz. Mr. Papi. After my kids, most of my family, possibly my wife, and MTAF big cheese Josh Flagner, Ortiz has probably brought me more happiness than anyone. I love him.
Starting Pitchers – Jon Lester is signed for at least 1 more year, John Lackey is around for a few more, Clay Buchholz is signed, Jake Peavy is signed, Felix Doubront is signed, Ryan Dempster is signed, and the Red Sox have power arms like Allen Webster and Rubby de la Rosa in the minors. It’s nice to not have major starting staff concerns going into an off-season. I’d forgotten what it feels like.
Potential Targets: None
Relief Pitchers – Koji Uehara was the best reliever, and possibly the best pitcher, in the major leagues over the second half of 2013. Understanding the caveat that closers are fickle and often drastically different from one year to the next, I’ve still got a lot of faith in Koji.
In line to pitch before Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, Brandon Workman, and Craig Breslow should all be back next year. And while relief pitching is a year to year proposition, those guys looked very strong in 2013. If at least 2 of them have a similar season, and Cherington proves to be 75% as adept as he was last off-season, the bullpen should be a strength once again. Andrew Miller and Franklin Morales are a couple of strong bets to be out there in long relief once again.
Potential Targets: Grant Balfour, Brian Wilson, Jesse Crain, Eric O’Flaherty, pretty much anyone who has ever thrown a baseball. You can never have too much relief pitching.
I’ll close with my predicted lineup at the start of next year:
Shane Victorino – RF
Xander Bogaerts – 3B
Dustin Pedroia – 2B
David Ortiz – DH
Justin Morneau – 1B (I don’t know – I just have a sneaking feeling that someone’s going to blow Napoli away with a giant contract because he’s a good chemistry guy. Copycat league.)
Jonny Gomes / Daniel Nava – LF
Stephen Drew – SS
David Ross – C
Jackie Bradley Jr – CF
That might seem like a pretty weak lineup for a defending champion from the American League, but I don’t think the plan was to win this year, and I don’t think Ben Cherington is the kind of guy who deviates from a plan (he seems like someone who has the same dinner on specific days of the week. Monday is steak, Tuesday is Chinese, Wednesday is chicken, etc…).
I think they try to win with starters, relievers, runners, and defenders, while waiting for guys like Garin Cecchini, Blake Swihart, Bradley Jr, Bogaerts, Middlebrooks, and Mookie Betts to develop. And I’m a fan of this plan, maybe even More Than a Fan.
Thank you for reading.