Examining the Red Sox Off-season

When examining the Boston Red Sox offseason moves, one has to wonder if the Sox front office really believes that they’re helping their team in 2009, or just trying to keep up with the Yankees.

It was only a few seasons ago that the Yankees overreacted to the Red Sox acquisition of Curt Schilling, and  tried to make up for it by trading for Javier Vazquez (Bye Nick Johnson and Juan Rivera), and Kevin Brown (I would have traded Jeff Weaver for a hot dog). It all added up to an unproven right hander who couldn’t throw a strike in the 2nd half of the season, and an over-the-hill sinker baller who broke more hands than bats in his tenure with the Yankees.

Flash forward to 2009. The Yankees have inked CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, only to follow it up by landing Mark Teixeira. They’ve put themselves in prime position for another run at the postseason and a 27th World Championship.

Since the Yankees last Championship, the Red Sox have racked up two trophies, and have set a precedent on how a front office should operate. Develop young pitching, make smart signings, and rid yourselves of players who have become disasters in the clubhouse. They were the cream of the crop the last few seasons.

But, I think the wheels have started to come off. In the last few weeks, the Red Sox have signed Brad Penny, John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli. If this was 2004, I think the Yankees would be shaking in their boots, but not in 2009. Brad Penny has had a difficult time staying healthy in his career. His numbers against AL teams have never been good. Penny has struggled in interleague play, going 7-11 with a 5.08 ERA in 24 appearances against AL opponents. Now look, he could revert back to form and light up the AL East, but you mean to tell me that there isn’t another team in MLB that wouldn’t want to take a chance on this guy-especially in the National League? SOunds shaky.

Just today, the Sox signed John Smoltz. After major shoulder surgery last season, the Sox are taking a chance on a guy who has never pitched in the American League, who has never pitched for a professional team other than the Atlanta Braves, and whose 41 year older shoulder is hanging on by the thread. Now the talk is the Sox may want to deal Clay Buchholz  because of the surplus of starting pitching. Isn’t this starting to sound a little bit like the Yankees?

The Red Sox starting rotation now stands: Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Brad Penny, John Smoltz/Tim Wakefield. (Smoltz probably won’t be ready by opening day). Matsuzaka cannot throw strikes consistantly. Beckett has had two “off” years out of three in Boston. Wakefield is 42, with a bad back. Where is the sure thing in this rotation? I don’t see it. The Red Sox tried this route last season with Bartolo Colon, and that failed miserably.

The one positive thing I can say about the Sox signings is that they didn’t spend a lot. They were financially smart with these moves. But it is a big question mark on what type of return they’re going to get.

In terms of Rocco Baldelli, I can’t comment on health issues, because only Rocco knows how he is physically. He could play left field for Boston, but if he’s only able to play 1 or 2 days in the field due to his health condition, it seems the Sox signed him to use him off the bench. Let’s not forget, he only played in 28 games last season.

It seems that the Sox are simply “keeping up with the Joneses”. The Yankees have made some wonderful moves (although,no-brainers) this offseason. I can’t say the same for Boston, but these moves have to play out on the field-if they can make it onto the field.