The Boston Red Sox had a very eventful 2005. Being the defending champs is not an easy thing to have hanging over your head. The season was full of injuries and other problems but they somehow managed to make the playoffs. The White Sox sweeping Boston was a wake up call that proved that the Sox need some help. Here are some things that the Sox need to fix for the 2006 season and get done in the off-season.
-What happens to Johnny Damon? There are not many solid lead-off guys available, Mark Kotsay re-signed with the A's and Corey Patterson is trying to get his career back together. If Johnny walks Chicago and Oakland are two of his best options but the Yankees have shown interest. The Sox should be able to sign Damon to a four-year contract and he will probably get about the same deal as Jason Varitek. It would be tough to lose Johnny to free agency.
-Will Manny be traded? Many rumors circulated about a possible Manny to the Mets trade at the July 31 deadline but no deal was struck. Now Manny has requested a trade.The highly touted 2004 free agent Carlos Beltran has been rumored to come to Boston for Manny Ramirez. I personally believe that Manny's antics are worth putting up with due to his massive production.
- What will the Sox's 2006 infield look like? The only player that is pretty much guaranteed to start next year is Edgar Renteria at shortstop and he may have a serious injury. Third baseman Bill Mueller is a free agent at the end of the season and with Kevin Youkilis in his shadow, Mueller could be gone. Second base is very up in the air, Dustin Pedroia may come in to play that postition but Tony Graffanino could be re-signed. Pedroia could need more time in the minors. Kevin Millar is likely out of Boston, there are no prospects to take his spot but John Olerud could be the full-time starter.
- What is going to happen to their
pitching? Curt Schilling and Tim
Wakefield. Those are the only two
guaranteed starters in 2006. Rookie Jonathan Papelbon pitched wonderfully in his first season but will he be a starter? He seems like he deserves a shot at it and he has great potential. Matt Clement had a great first half but as expected he faltered after the All-Star break. David Wells has made it known that he dislikes the passionate fans in Boston and
Bronson Arroyo's future is up in the air. The bullpen is a mess and they definitely need a great closer at the end to shut down the opposition. Mike Timlin is also a free agent, he was the only guy the Sox could count on all year.
- What about the minor leaguers? Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon could be a huge part of this organization in the future. Who is ready now? Papelbon and Delcarmen will likely start in Boston. Hopefully Papelbon will crack the rotation and Delcarmen will probably pitch in middle relief. Ramirez and Lester should start in Pawtucket and Pedroia could go either way.
-Written by Jesse |
