9 Innings: Boston Red Sox

Yesterday, we answered the questions proposed by Jason Collette about his Tampa Bay Rays. Today, we go nine with Darryl Johnston and our arch rival Boston Red Sox (I promise, I’ll be as unbiased as possible).

1.  The Red Sox organization has aggressively shifted philosophies towards run prevention.  As an AL East opponent, does this make you more or less confident to face them and why?

• I am more confident facing the Red Sox with the current construction of their roster.  I understand that preventing runs is just as important as saving them but, I am just so used to having to watch the Yankees pitchers (a generally poor crop prior to last year) try to navigate a behemoth lineup.  Even last year, while weaker than in years past, the lineup was still stout with Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Victor Martinez in the middle.  I’m not saying this year’s Boston lineup is weak but, on paper, it is not what it was last year and certainly is not what it was two-plus years ago.  I could definitely be sleeping on the overall effect that their improved defense will have but, for right now I’m happy the offense is thinning out a bit.

2.  Explain how you think the Red Sox will finish the 2010 season.  Is this team a division winner?  Wild Card?  Will the perceived lack of offense bounce them from the playoffs?

• I do not see the Red Sox winning the AL East in 2010 but, I would be silly to predict them to finish out of the playoffs – perceived lack of offense or not.  They – or whoever does not end up winning the division – will definitely have some strong competition for the Wild Card.  If the Red Sox do find themselves in that situation, they have plenty of experience and talent to clinch a playoff berth.
  

3.  Some Boston fans feel that old stalwarts like Tim Wakefield and Mike Lowell ‘deserve’ to play and be starters at their respective positions because of their longer-term contributions to the team.  Wakefield has been in Boston since 1993 and Lowell was the 2007 World Series MVP.  The team has relegated Lowell to a spare part who should be traded soon and Wakefield is a spot-starter.  Are they being treated unfairly?

• It is easy for me to sit here and say “No, it is time for them to move on”.  However, I’ll be facing some of the same questions before too long.  Adrian Beltre is already going to take over third base and while his overall bat is not as good as Mike Lowell’s, he’ll probably provide just as much – if not more – power and his glove should be just as good – if not better.  I understand Tim Wakefield is a fan favorite and a reliable innings eater but, it is time for Clay Buchholz to ascend to ace status.  Unless fans are willing to bump Daisuke Matsuzaka, then I think it is time for Wakefield to move on.
  

4.  In respect to Fenway Park, what is your opinion with regard to a new stadium?  Should Boston build a new Fenway or stick with the tradition that has sat on Landsdowne since 1912?

• No, they should not build a new stadium.  As much as I, or any Yankees fan, can hate the Red Sox, there is no way you can hate Fenway Park.  It is a baseball icon and – along with Wrigley Field – one of only two classic stadiums remaining.  Now, John Henry has run his mouth plenty regarding the financial advantage that the Yankees have with their new stadium and we won’t discuss that here.  It brings up an interesting issue though.  Fenway is maxed out seating-wise and I would guess that they are lacking some of the extra money-making amenities that some of the newer stadiums have (I can’t be sure about that though).  So, I think there will come a time when the Red Sox – as a business – will want to seriously explore the idea of a new stadium.  Of course, like New Yankee Stadium, they’d just have to keep everything the same.
  

5.  Manny Ramirez is in Hollywood and David Ortiz is in the waning years of his career. Those two Red Sox hitters provided one of the best 3-4 combos in the history of modern baseball.  Today’s lineup is markedly altered. Who in the Red Sox lineup concerns you the most in 2010?

• Clearly I’m not as scared of the lineup as I was back in the Manny-Ortiz era but, there are definitely still some guys I don’t enjoy facing.  With runners on base, I definitely don’t like seeing Dustin Pedroia or Youkilis up to bat.  They aren’t the league’s premier power threats but, it always seems like they put the ball in play with authority, they’re both tough to strikeout and neither one tends to chase too much.  Victor Martinez is very similar to those two and deserves the same recognition – not to mention that he’s a switch hitter.
  

6.  Red Sox fans travel well and often will ‘take over’ a visiting park.  This tends to unsettle the locals.  I have been to both Philadelphia and Baltimore games where the seats where filled with predominantly Red Sox travelers. What is your honest opinion on Red Sox fans?

• Well, honestly, when I watch a game and look in the stands of Fenway I can’t help but find myself saying “God, I hate those people”.  Of course, as a Yankees fan, I can’t really complain about them aside from being the fans of my team’s most hated rival – otherwise I’d be throwing stones at a glass house.  When I take a step back and stop lumping every single Red Sox fan into a general image, it’s easy to just see people as who they are and not who their team is (now I sound like some sort of anti-prejudice activist).  But to recap a long winded answer to a simple question: I say I hate Red Sox fans when it’s a bunch of them in one concentrated area (as I’m sure many people feel towards Yankees fans) but, individually, I’ve met a lot of cool people who pull for Boston.
  

7. Was the Daisuke Matsuzaka acquisition a failure for the Red Sox organization? Boston paid a large posting fee to acquire his services.  Matsuzaka has a lot of flash, but tends to struggle and his detractors in Boston are vocal.  Was the Japanese phenom worth the investment or was this a organizational miscalculation?

• It depends on how much you think he contributed to the World Series title in 2007.  Do you think they would have won without him?  I, personally, would say ‘yes’ they would have won without him but you have to take my opinion with a grain of salt because I’m biased and I hate him.  I really don’t think he’s very good (lots of luck and WAY too many walks) and I didn’t buy the hype about him being “indestructible”.  When you’re throwing complete games on back-to-back days as a teenager and generally being utterly abused by today’s standards, there are bound to be some problems on the horizon.  And, as we all know, Matsuzaka suffered some shoulder issues this season.  Again, I’m saying that it was a poor investment UNLESS you come to the conclusion that he was instrumental in a World Series banner.  You will definitely want to check what some of the other AL East bloggers have to say on this issue though before reading too much into my opinion.
  

8.  If you had to make an argument for any current Red Sox as a future Hall of Famer, who would it be and why?

• I’m going with Jon Lester.  I think 2009 was the first really good season of many to come for the young lefty.  Wins are obviously too difficult to predict but, considering his stuff and the likelihood that he will always have a solid team behind him, it’s probably safe to say that he’ll rack up a decent amount – I don’t know how much he’ll threaten 300 but he should definitely win his fair share.  He’ll also have boat loads of strikeouts to go along with clean peripherals.  He’s already got a no-hitter, decent postseason numbers (correct me if I’m wrong) and a World Series ring under his belt.  The resume is being built, and the rest depends on his health and how long he’ll be able to pitch at a high level.  With physiological and medical advancements, it could be common for players to remain dominant well into their mid – and maybe even late – 30’s.  If that does happen to be the case, I like Lester as a HOFer.
  

9.  The Red Sox will face your team 19 teams in 2010 with many long and drawn-out battles.  When October finally comes, what will your team’s record be vs. Boston?

• The Yankees will finish 11-8 against the Red Sox this season.  However, there will be no 8-0 start by either team, nor will there be a 9 out of 10 stretch.
  

That concludes the looks at our division foes.  Like I’ve said on numerous occasions, it’s good to keep your friends close but, keep your enemies closer.  Keep up with what our No. 1 enemy is up to over at Sox Tea Party.  Stay tuned for the final recap which will be coming in the next couple of days.

Tags: Boston Red Sox