Super Bowl XLVI
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So the Boston Red Sox are back in a position they used to find themselves quite regularly, but haven’t in a while: Looking up at the World Series-champion New York Yankees.
Now what? The knee-jerk reaction would be a costly keeping-up-with-the-Steinbrenners attempt that might or might not produce the desired results.
But a quick tally of recent history strongly suggests a more-measured approach. From 2004-09:
OK, so the Yankees hold a 4-1 lead in AL East crowns, but there are 29 other teams who would be thrilled with the Red Sox’s results in the last six years. And despite what we just witnessed in October and early November, there’s no need for them to change course now.
Early indications from Fenway Park are following along those lines. Forget what the Yankees are doing; the Red Sox wisely will continue to build the best team they can within what is expected to be a slightly lower payroll, and take their chances.
So how will their winter unfold, and who will be at Red Sox training camp in Fort Myers come February? A look at the key issues:
Left field
Matt Holliday is the better choice over Jason Bay, but there always are financial considerations in play. Bay reportedly has turned down the Sox’s initial proposal and will enter the free-agent market; no harm in that.
And besides, in Holliday, you’re getting a better all-round player, a better hitter for average, a better defender (despite a costly division-series blunder) and a better-than-you-think base-stealing threat. And he’s slightly younger, too, as he’ll turn 30 in January, while Bay will turn 32 next September.
There’s really no downside to signing Holliday, as long as the financial numbers fit. But if the price is too high, there’s nothing wrong with re-signing Bay, either.
And, acquiring Jeremy Hermida from the financially strapped Marlins could prove to be a sleeper move for a breakout player — and at the very least provides another quality corner-outfield option.
Starting rotation
Last year’s plan of quantity over quality didn’t work out as well as expected. Pitchers John Smoltz and Brad Penny didn’t pan out, injuries sidelined Daisuke Matsuzaka, and the Sox’s big guns couldn’t win in an embarrassing AL division series sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels. So it’s time to add another front-end starter.
The Sox already have indicated interest in free-agent right-hander John Lackey — who beat them in Game 1 of the ALDS — and that’s a good place to start, considering he’s the best starting pitcher on the market.
So what if a signing will give the Sox six starting pitchers. When high-maintenance Matsuzaka and 43-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield are two of them, you need some wiggle room.
There also are many possibilities on the trade front, led by Roy Halladay, and including Bronson Arroyo.
Shortstop
The bold move would be a deal for Brandon Phillips, who like Arroyo, is available because of cost-cutting measures in Cincinnati.
But short of that, the situation is muddled, mainly because of Jed Lowrie’s uncertain status. It’s very possible he could start at Triple-A Pawtucket and prove his wrist can hold up, and then return to Boston by midseason.
In the meantime, the market is flooded with short-term options — Miguel Tejada, Omar Vizquel, Marco Scutaro, Khalil Green, Alex Gonzalez, Orlando Cabrera, Adam Everett, John McDonald, Juan Castro.
The first base/third base/DH triangle
The best major move worth pursuing would be a deal for Adrian Gonzalez. But with a very reasonable contract in place ($4.75 million in 2010, $5.5-million option in 2011) isn’t he exactly the kind of player the Padres need to build around? So why even consider dealing him?
If Mike Lowell’s hip isn’t going to be an issue next season — as general manager Theo Epstein has said — then maintaining the status quo for one more year and hoping for a David Ortiz bounce-back of some kind makes sense.
Keep in mind that both Lowell ($12 million) and Ortiz ($12.5 million, plus a 2011 option) can come off the payroll after the 2010 season — when a much-deeper free-agent class will hit the market.
And if Ortiz’s struggles against left-handed pitching continue, that’s the opportunity to catch Jason Varitek, who’s much better against lefties, and use Victor Martinez as the designated hitter.
Bullpen
Two thoughts — retain Billy Wagner and keep giving the ball to Daniel Bard. Wagner pitched tremendously down the stretch, showing he has plenty left at 38, and it won’t take much for Bard to develop into an elite eighth-ninth inning option.
Lastly, the Sox shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the gap between them and the Yankees isn’t as big as it may seem.
First of all, there was a near-perfect storm of developments that sprung the Yankees back from non-playoff qualifier to World Series winner.
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Posada and Matsui came back from injury-filled 2008 seasons to post strong numbers. Pettitte and Damon weren’t hurt in 2008, but had much better seasons in 2009, and you can’t expect that again in 2010 — if Pettitte returns at all.
You can always make the argument that the Yankees will just reload — perhaps let go of Matsui, and sign another impact bat, for instance.
But there’s no debating the fact that the majority of their key performers are very near the end of their careers, or about to enter their declining years.
Castrodale: The Yankees are introducing his and her fragrances? What's next?
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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A commemorative license plate for the New York Giants was unveiled hours after their Super Bowl victory.
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Freshman Austin Rivers buried a 3-pointer at the horn to give No. 10 Duke an 85-84 win over No. 5 North Carolina on Wednesday night.
