2011 MLB Team Preview: Boston Red Sox
Hard to believe, as many of us watch the snow fall outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; teams will report soon to 2011 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.
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Rex Sox Calender
FEB. 1-18, 2011 – Salary arbitration hearings
FEB. 14, 2011 – Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players
FEB. 19, 2011 – Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for non-pitchers and catchers
FEB. 26, 2011 – Mandatory Spring Training reporting date for all players
2010 left a bitter taste in Red Sox fans’ mouths. Despite fielding a talented roster, the team won 89 games and missed the playoffs. Injuries and the outstanding play of division rivals New York and Tampa were the primary factors.
But maybe general manager Theo Epstein was playing possum. Maybe he knew the Rays and Yankees were primed for a step back in 2011. This past offseason, he attacked. While the Yankees and Rays got worse or at least remained stagnant, the BoSox beefed up arguably more than any other major-league team.
BOSTON RED SOX
World Series odds: +400
The Red Sox were the talk of the offseason after landing two huge fish: Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Crawford’s massive contract may stink a few years from now, when he’s in his 30s and his legs are no longer an asset. But, for at least the next two or three seasons, he should be a success in Boston. He hits for average, has developing power and could combine to steal 120 or 130 bases with Jacoby Ellsbury. Has there been a base-stealing tandem that prolific on one team since Ozzie Smith and Vince Coleman?
The move that could impact baseball more than any other this year, though, is the Adrian Gonzalez trade. Not many people understand just how good this guy is. He had at least 30 homers and 99 RBI in each of the last four seasons despite (a) playing half his games at PETCO Park, baseball’s toughest stadium on hitters and (b) consistently playing in one of baseball’s weakest lineups. 
Now we put the lefthanded A-Gonz at Fenway Park with a potent lineup protecting him? Wow. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he hit .300 with 45 to 50 homers and 120 RBI en route to the American League MVP this season.
All that chatter about Crawford and Gonzalez and we’ve barely touched on the existing Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis both battled injuries last year but look healthy entering 2011. They’re two of the game’s best all-around players, factoring in offensive ability, on-base skills, defense and team play. Vets like J.D. Drew and David Ortiz can still contribute some offense, too. The Red Sox should have no trouble scoring runs.
They should be fine in the pitching department, too. Clay Buchholz was lucky in terms or his batting average on balls in play last year, but he still enjoyed a phenomenal breakout 2010 season, going 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA. Even if his luck corrects itself, his ERA could jump a full run and he’d still be a borderline ace.
The staff anchor is Jon Lester. The big lefty is consistently overlooked in Cy Young discussions despite winning at least 15 games and posting an ERA of 3.41 or lower three straight years and striking out 225 guys in each of the last two seasons.
The key for the Red Sox this year: bounce-backs from the rest of their key pitchers. Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka have struggled with their health in recent seasons; John Lackey scuffled at times in his first season with the Red Sox, too. If two or even one of these three can rebound, Boston’s rotation should be fine.
The Red Sox would also like to see a return to form from closer Jonathan Papelbon, who struggled more than ever before last season, but it’s not a huge concern. With Daniel Bard, Dan Wheeler, Bobby Jenks and Hideki Okajima in the pen, Boston has plenty of seasoned arms capable of taking over closing duty.
2011 OUTLOOK
Note the theme here: glowing praise. The Boston Red Sox are without a doubt the frontrunner to win the American League pennant. They have a deadly lineup, a good defense, enough starting pitchers to compete and a dynamite bullpen. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team blow away the AL East and win 100 games this year.
Prediction: 1st, American League East
