Red Sox Finally Find Manny’s Replacement

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what the Red Sox were thinking. Fresh off a non-playoff season in 2010, Boston GM Theo Epstein knew that some changes had to be made. Not necessarily wholesale changes, but changes none-the-less.

Starting pitching was not a priority. With Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz both coming off of fantastic seasons and the feeling that Beckett and Lackey should perform better in 2011 than they did this season, the rotation was pretty much set.

Offensively, however, it was a different story. Even though the Red Sox offense was very productive in 2010, it hasn’t been the same since Manny Ramirez left.

In addition, two of the team’s best hitters in Victor Martinez and Adrian Beltre became free agents. When Boston failed to be aggressive in retaining either one, the writing was on the wall that Theo was up to something bigger.

That something happened Saturday when Boston acquired San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez for a few minor leaguers.

Epstein and the Sox have long coveted Gonzalez who has averaged 32 homeruns per season over the past 5 years. And with San Diego letting it be known that they would try to trade him before he hit free agency following the 2011 season, Theo decided to make his move.

RHP Casey Kelly, 1B Anthony Rizzo and CF Ray Fuentes were the three prospects dealt. How they turn out in the big leagues someday is anyone’s guess, but that’s insignificant now. The Red Sox got their guy.

The first, and most obvious, move will see Kevin Youkilis move from first to third base. I think it’s pretty safe to say that Adrian Beltre won’t be coming back now. In the unusual circumstance that Beltre did return, I suppose Youk could play in the outfield, but I wouldn’t count on that happening.

As far as the line-up is concerned, with the number of left-handed hitters on the team, the order may look something like this on opening day:

1. Ellsbury (L) LF
2. Pedroia (R) 2B
3. Gonzalez (L) 1B
4. Youkilis (R) 3B
5. Ortiz (L) DH
6. Drew (L) CF
7. Kalish (L) RF
8. Lowery (S) SS
9. Saltalamacchia (S) C

After spots 1-5 in the line-up, we could be looking at any combination. Let’s not forget Marco Scutaro as a viable option at shortstop. As you can see, there are a lot of left-handed hitters in Boston’s line-up, but there’s a nice mix of lefty-righty-lefty in the top 5 spots in the order.

Lowery, Saltalamacchia and Varitek are all switch-hitters giving Terry Francona the ability to sprinkle them in where he sees fit in the bottom of the order. And let’s also not forget that the Sox may not be finished making moves to tweak the roster between now and next spring.

The bottom line is that you have to feel good if you’re a Red Sox fan today because they have finally landed that big stick they so desperately need in the middle of the line-up. They tried to acquire A-Rod a few years ago and failed. They felt that Jason Bay wasn’t the answer. They tried to sign Mark Texiera and were outbid by the Yankees.

No more! The Red Sox have their man.