Boston Red Sox: 31 Names To Know for 2011 and One To Forget About
This season you saw some new names with the Boston Red Sox. So what names will be heard again when Opening Day comes? This is who to expect in Boston for the 2011 MLB season. This also looks at the Derek Jeter rumor around the middle, and what you should expect of the Yankee captain. The Red Sox struggled due to injury in 2010, but expect many players to return to form, and see some players attempt to kick start their career once again. Expect Boston to make a few key moves to cover their needs, which range from relief pitching, to outfield, and of course the corners of the infield are a hot topic.
Starting Rotation
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The Red Sox feature a starting rotation incomparable in achievements. Don't let last season fool you, they have the most talent and depth and will come up big this year. As well as new players, the Red Sox have all ready started out on a positive, signing Curt Young as the new pitching coach to replace John Farrell.
#1: Jon Lester
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The inspiring southpaw had another awesome season, going 19-9, posting a 3.25 ERA while fanning 225 batters over 208 innings. Over the past three years, Jon Lester has improved greatly and he has earned his spot as the star pitcher of this rotation.
#2: Clay Bucholz
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A legitimate Cy Young contender in 2010, Bucholz showed that he is the future of the Boston Red Sox. He will assume the star role at some point in his career, and is poised to become a Boston great. Posting a 17-7 record, a 2.33 ERA, and holding a BAA of .226 Bucholz has earned his spot behind Jon Lester, and will challenge for the number one spot in Spring.
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#3: Josh Beckett
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A shaky year filled with DL stints left many questioning Beckett. Put this year behind him and remember that he has been a spectacular pitcher for 3 years since arriving. He had a similar struggle when he first arrived in Boston, and proved himself the next year. Expect him to do it once again.
#4: John Lackey
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The Red Sox big 2010 off season pick up, Lackey didn't pan out as planned, but his history of excellence with the Angels suggest that he, as Beckett, had an off year. However, even in a rough year Lackey had a number of quality starts, and being named number four in this rotation is nothing to scoff at.
#5: Daisuke Matsuzaka
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Finally solving his durability seemed to have righted the SS Dice-K. Even though 2010 was up and down, Dice-K showed flashes of brilliance. With Curt Youngs as the new pitching coach, expect Matsuzaka to play up to the expectations given when he signed here.
Tim Wakefield
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The ageless pitcher with the ageless pitch. Wakefield had a strong 2009, earning a deserved trip to the All-Star game. However injuries in the second half of '09 caused Wakefield to get shelved from the starting rotation in 2010. But with injuries a part of the game, expect Wakefield to be a great backup option, while he serves a relief role the rest of the time.
Bullpen
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The portion of the bullpen that will either require a lot of acquisition, or a lot of growth. My guess is sprinkle a little of each and watch the bullpen become more trusted by Terry Francona.
Daniel Bard
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He would be the closer, if not for Jonathan Papelbon. However, until Papelbon leaves, Bard will remain in his position as a hard-hurling set up man, who can be trusted with the ball in any situation. He will be the leader of this bullpen for years to come.
Scott Atchison
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His work as a mid-relief pitcher in 2010 was not spectacular, but expect him to work hard over winter. After all, the Red Sox can always sign another pitcher from the free agent pool that would be happy to be employed.
Felix Doubront
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A young man who didn't see much time in the Majors in 2010. Still, expect Doubront to make the roster. He impressed at AAA, and had a quality spot start as well. Going forward, Felix Doubront should look to steady the Red Sox bullpen in a scene where there is a crowd of starters and not enough relief.
Kerry Wood
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This is my acquisition I look the Boston Red Sox to make. Young and capable, Wood showed this season with the Yankees that he is a quality relief pitcher. With the slim bullpen the Red Sox have, they have all ready been mentioned in talks about where Wood will go if he walks.
Jonathan Papelbon CP
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His year was full of BS, blown saves that is. But that doesn't mean he can't right the ship. A new pitching coach, and getting back to his splitter will help Papelbon return to the dominance he was known for. He will be the closer for 2011, as he's earned another season as has Josh Beckett.
Outfield
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Injury central. The Red Sox suffered greatly when starters dropped like flies, but the surprises came as many of the replacements came up big when the Sox needed the help most.
Jacoby Ellsbury
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The outfielder whose promising season was wrecked by persisting rib injuries. His health has improved greatly according to reports, and Ellsbury looks to make a full return in 2011. Expect him to return to his leadoff position, and tear up the basepaths as he did in 2009.
Carl Crawford
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The most likely candidate for the Red Sox to acquire, having Crawford in the lineup will provide a huge baserunning threat the Red Sox are not known for when coupled with Ellsbury. Look for him to don a Red Sox jersey Opening Day.
J.D. Drew
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Up and down like a roller coaster, Drew found overall consistency in 2010. However, with the opt out option in effect for Boston, and Drew all ready contemplating retirement due to nagging shoulder injuries, look for Drew to finish out his last year or two in Boston, and then focus on life after baseball.
Daniel Nava
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Living up to a grand slam the first pitch you see in the MLB is hard to do. However, Daniel Nava showed promise when he was on the field for the Red Sox. His hitting numbers certainly weren't up to par, but as with that is an issue with many of the Red Sox young outfielders. Expect him to get the opportunity to split time in the field for this year, and possibly replace Drew when he is no longer at Fenway. But don't expect it to come easy. With Ryan Kalish and Josh Reddick in the system, Nava will have to improve his game if he wants to fill Drew's shoes, because as easy as it seems, it isn't.
Darnell McDonald
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Depending on injuries, you could see McDonald playing regularly. If not, he will be there to give a starter a needed rest day. Nothing against him, I would rather see the second role be his. If injuries stay away, McDonald could be a valuable replacement to fill the hole in any team's outfield.
Mike Cameron
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I don't expect him to assume the starting role he was signed to play. Injuries and age push him back in what is a youthful depth the Red Sox have. Maybe another name on the move, or he will remain as McDonald for stability purposes.
Infield
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Yet again, the healing powers of time help. The infield had some woes with big name players sidelined for a large portion of the season, but none of the injuries appear to affect what is to come in 2011.
1B: Kevin Youkillis (3B)
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A spark plug of the Red Sox offense, expect him to be back at full force after thumb surgery dashed his hopes of returning. His position should stay at first, unless something unforeseen is to happen at the other corner. If need be, though, Youkillis is capable of playing third base.
2B: Dustin Pedroia
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The fiery face of the Red Sox, Pedroia's work ethic has set him in an elite group of players in the MLB. He is nearly impossible to strike out, and his defense is as solid as it comes. With his foot nearly healed now, expect his work ethic to kick in when he's given the OK. This is one player I would never doubt coming off of injury.
3B: Adrian Beltre
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This is the biggest question mark of the Red Sox off season signings. He has earned the right to shop around, but after watching Victor Martinez walk away with a generous sum of money, do not expect Theo Epstein to give up so easily on Beltre.
SS: A Moment Of Time To Address The Jeter Question
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Let me take this time to make it clear that Derek Jeter will NOT be in a Red Sox uniform next year. His slow arm and unimpressive year makes the price tag on him seem even more ridiculous to be signed by Boston. He will not even be negotiating with Theo, so don't get any ideas. He won't play third base, it was Alex Rodriguez who had to switch positions when he came to New York, don't expect him to change his attitude. Overall, this is just not a fit.
SS: Marco Scutaro
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A drop off from his breakout season in Toronto, Scutaro has shown the best of any shortstop the Red Sox have had since Nomar. He is no Nomar, but he is a vast improvement from Julio Lugo. However, there is stiff competition behind him here, and it will be interesting to see who starts, and if it is Scutaro, where he bats.
SS: Jed Lowrie
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After injury problems have been solved, Lowrie showed that he could be the long term solution the Red Sox are looking for. If he stays away from the injury bug, the Red Sox future will be bright. And there is potential with Lowrie's versatility that he could move around the infield, and his batting abilities are another topic of interest as to where he will bat with the switch hitting ability an asset.
C: Jarod Saltamacchia
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Plagued by injury during his entire career, I'm not ready to give up on him yet. He has so much untapped potential if he can stay healthy, and with his youth, he too could be a long term solution to the Red Sox problems. First problem, reduce the stolen bases that every team seems to rack up against Boston. Salty is a great kid and he should be given a shot.
C: Jason Varitek
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His chances of return to Boston increased greatly when Victor Martinez went to Detroit. He proved a worthy backup until breaking his foot off a foul tip. While his defense may be suspect, his leadership is not. Expect Tek back, he will be a great mentor for the young man and will be a great backup/specialty catcher.
DH: David Ortiz
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Even a slow start didn't stop Big Papi from clocking 32 shots over the fence. If he can get past the early season slumps, he will still be over 40 home runs at 35. The Red Sox showed a lot of faith when they took the option, and expect Ortiz to get an additional year to that once the free agency questions are solved. Big Papi's focus needs to be on a quick start
Other Names to Know
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SS: Jose Iglesias- With the Red Sox seemingly full at shortstop, they can take it slow with Iglesias. He is a great player, and he will go into Spring, but likely be at AAA for the majority of the year. Hope to see this kid, because he's a rare talent. It certainly won't be easy once Scutaro is gone and it's Lowrie versus Iglesias for the shortstop position. Relish the talent duo.
OF: Josh Reddick: If the Red Sox had Reddick, Crawford, and Ellsbury in the outfield, no ball would drop to the grass. I expect to see Reddick move up quickly if the Red Sox move other outfielders to get new players such as Adrian Gonzalez.
OF: Ryan Kalish: Another guy who stepped up big when the Red Sox outfield went down. Kalish proved to be a valuable asset, but in a potentially crowded outfield, he will have to hope for a trade in order to move up the Red Sox pecking order.
1B: Adrian Gonzalez: The heir apparent to David Ortiz(for his power from the left side), if the Red Sox do not resign Beltre, expect trade offers to be prepared for the Padres. If Beltre does return, then you may have to wait until 2012 to see him in Boston. No doubt though, Gonzalez will be heavily pursued.
SP: Taylor Bucholz: No relation to Clay, but he has a lot of promise as his namesake suggests. He will spend a lot of time in the minors this year, with potential to move up occasionally.
SP: Michael Bowden: Used in relief, Bowden should remain in grooming to be a starting pitcher. With Dice-K nearing the end of his contract and Wakefield at an age where retirement is a constant question, Bowden could see payoff. He is an excellent pitcher who will blossom over the next few years.
Andrew Miller: Eyeing a rebound, I do not know what to expect. This is another Smoltz project, high risk high reward. To be honest, I do not know where he fits in to the 2011 Red Sox, but Theo and Tito are sure to find a place for him.
Recap
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There's plenty of reasons to be excited. The Red Sox have the potential to dominate the AL East and return to the top of the MLB and the playoffs. With the youth of this team, the future looks bright. And with a few acquisitions and some hard work, the 2011 Red Sox will be a team to be reckoned with.
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