The Red Sox season has taken a merciful break. The wrapped up the first half limping to a .500 finish while dropping three of four to the Yankees over the weekend. They currently sit 9.5 games out of first place and in last place in the AL East.
Where do they go from here?
Well, the fans don’t think very far according to a poll over on ESPN.com. I have to agree.
Take out the likeness factor that I’ve talked about for most of the year and even back to last year. We know we don’t like this incarnation of the Red Sox. But it’s about the name on the front as my buddy Matty says.
The team is set to get back Buchholz (upset tummy), Crawford (Sally wrist), and Ellsbury (longest shoulder injury ever). In theory that would upgrade any team in a minute. But let’s look at it a little closer.
Buchholz is actually having the worst season of the “big three” in the rotation. His ERA is currently the 6th worse in the AL. So getting him back from the DL on an upset tummy, not really a good thing. If they said something was off on his mechanics and he needed to work it out, you’d feel so much better than an upset tummy.
Crawford has already said he’ll need surgery after the season. Don’t do us any favors Carl. You just go have it now. Your anemic .220 batting average can find its way back to the lineup next year. We’re in no rush to see you.
Finally Ellsbury and his shoulder. After his MVP like season last year, we really hoped he’d gotten over his sandyvagititus. He hasn’t. With Boras coaching him along to stay on the DL, his potential will never be realized. Hall of Famers are Hall of Famers because they put up those MVP type seasons every year. They don’t sit out half a season with an ouchie. Jacoby will never be the player he could be because he refuses to toughen up.
So think back to the Johan Santana for Ellsbury and Lester trade that was offered a couple years back. You’d pull the trigger on it today right? I mean for all that Santana was hurt in NY, Ellsbury was hurt up here. Lester has become mediocre almost overnight. It’s sad.
So I’m in the belief of a team that will possibly finish below .500. Sure they may get over .500 a few more times but I think last September will repeat itself. So again, I hope they blow it up. Start trading guys. Ellsbury, Beckett, Matzucrappa, even Lester. Watching the young guys play .500 baseball beats the shit out of watching these multi-year millionaire contracted assholes on the field.
