Keeping up with the Joneses becomes an even tougher task when your hated next-door neighbor cruised through the defending world champs on their way to a World Series victory.
Such a task is the one laid at the feet of Theo Epstein, Terry Francona and the Boston Red Sox this offseason. The acquisition of Jeremy Hermida from Florida is the beginning of what should be a handful of minor changes made to the Red Sox roster in order for Boston to take the division, and the pennant, back from the Yankees.
1. The infield quagmire needs to be resolved.
Having four former All-Stars to play catcher, first base and third base is a luxury, not a necessity. It's time something is done about Boston's current four-man rotation at the aforementioned positions.
Kevin Youkilis and Victor Martinez should undoubtedly be starters in 2010. Decisions on the futures of the aging Mike Lowell and Jason Varitek need to be made this winter.
Youkilis led the Red Sox with a .305 batting average to go along with 27 home runs and 94 RBI. Youkilis also led the team in slugging (.548) and on-base percentage (.413). Martinez was right on pace with Youkilis, batting .303 on the season with 23 homers and 108 RBI.
As strange as it may seem for Red Sox Nation, it is time Jason Varitek steps out from behind the plate as the team's full-time catcher. While his chemistry with the starting pitchers is top-notch, Varitek's arm, as well as his abilities at the plate, are becoming more of a liability.
2. The back end of the starting rotation needs an upgrade.
Josh Beckett and Jon Lester are going to anchor the top end of the rotation for 2010 and beyond, if Beckett stays in Boston after next season. But after that, things start to get a little dicey.
Clay Buchholz will likely fit into the rotation next year, but the wildcards are Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield. Wakefield turned 43 two days after the trade deadline this summer and hasn't had an ERA under four since 2002. He's also cracked 200 innings pitched only twice in the last 11 seasons.
Dice-K, on the other hand, has been the topic of trade rumors over the past year due to his inconsistency and occasional outspoken desire for a trade.
A trade of Dice-K would be a plus, but the probability of getting equal value for the 29-year-old Japanese starter isn't high.
As with Varitek, it's time for Wakefield to step out of the starting rotation and into a lesser role. In his place, a free-agent acquisition could step in.
John Lackey may be the top free-agent hurler on the market this winter. If the Sox were to go after, and miss, on Lackey, Randy Wolf or Rich Harden may be the answer. An incentive-laden contract for Erik Bedard may also be a possibility.
3. Left field must be locked up.
Jason Bay or Matt Holliday? It doesn't much matter as long as one of them is patrolling left field at Fenway Park next season.
Bay has been in talks with Red Sox brass regarding an extension since last offseason, so the interest in returning to Boston is clearly there. Bay filed for free agency, but has expressed interest in returning to Boston in 2010.
If Bay signs elsewhere, the Red Sox must make a strong play to sign Matt Holliday. After all is said and done, Holliday may be the better fit for Boston. Holliday had a higher batting average (.313 to Bay's .267) and fewer strikeouts (101 to Bay's 162) while achieving similar home run and RBI numbers.
Regardless of what happens, Bay or Holliday will be a formidable addition to a stacked Red Sox batting order.
4. Theo Epstein must continue to hold on to the team's young pitchers.
Before J.J. Hardy was traded to Minnesota, Epstein was in talks with the Brewers regarding the former All-Star shortstop. Milwaukee's asking price of either Clay Buchholz or Daniel Bard was too much for Epstein's taste and Epstein should be commended for that.
Boston's bullpen is loaded with young talent, with the likes of Bard, Manny Delcarmen, Michael Bowden and Junichi Tazawa at Terry Francona's disposal.
Epstein's penchant for wrangling young pitching talent is clear, as evidenced by the success of Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Jonathan Papelbon. As long as Epstein sticks to his guns, Boston's pitching staff will be solid for years to come.
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