Boston Red Sox
Key Additions: A.J. Pierzynski, Edward Mujica, Grady Sizemore
Key Losses: Jacoby Ellsbury, Stephen Drew?, Andrew Bailey
Biggest Strength: Bullpen
Biggest Weakness: Outfield
Just three months removed from a World Series title, the Red Sox lineup is going to look a bit different in 2014 than it did in 2013, just like it did from 2013 to 2012 and we know how that worked out.
The Red Sox rotation was helped along by John Lackey’s best season since 2007, Ryan Dempster not completely imploding, and Jake Peavy showing up half way through the year. With Peavy the youngest at 33, it may be a lot to ask to get 180 good innings from all three of these guys. In that sense, how Felix Doubront pitches this year will go a long way in solidifying their rotation. Doubront has pitched well for the Sox since showing up in 2010 but his problem with walking batters is an ongoing concern. I’m not sure that this rotation holds up all season long and Doubront will have to be even better to keep them afloat at times.
The loss of Jacoby Ellsbury cannot be understated. While Shane Victorino is a very good outfielder, Ellsbury was the engine at the top of the lineup (when healthy) for a long time and is not easily replaced. If Grady Sizemore strikes lightning in a bottle, then that blow is lessened a little bit. However, going from Ellsbury to Sizemore or more likely Jackie Bradley Jr. is a downgrade across the board and it will be interesting to see how the top of the order functions without him for a full season.
Boston is relying on a lot of aging stars, namely their starting rotation, Ortiz, Victorino, and even Dustin Pedroia turns 31-years-old in August. That is a lot of older players that have to stay healthy and there isn’t much depth behind these guys in the farm system. When all their players are in the lineup, this batting order is as good as any in the American League East. The rotation has a lot of miles on it though so it’ll be interesting to see how they hold up. If the rotation can hold up without a major injury, this is a division contender. If not, this team is not repeating.
