8 Implications of Boston Red Sox Missing the Playoffs for Third Straight Year

After last September's collapse that left Boston out of the postseason for the second straight season, the urgency to win became more apparent than in the recent past. Moves were made and there are a lot of new faces in the organization.

As we all know, the Boston Red Sox didn't get this season off on the right foot. By failing to hit and pitch early in the year, they currently find themselves at the bottom of the competitive American League East.

Yes, they're now riding a five-game win streak onto an eight-game road trip that will include some frightening foes, but you shouldn't be sold just yet. Playing well is one thing, but they will have to be very consistent over the next few weeks to stay in the playoff hunt. 

Whether they say it or not, last year is in the back of their minds. They know that every game counts and that they have to take advantage of the opportunities handed to them. There are no locks in baseball.

If the Red Sox fail to play well throughout the remainder of the 2012 season, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, here are eight implications we could see over the offseason.

Bobby Valentine Fired, Tim Bogar Hired

After Boston didn't finish last season like many would've hoped, Bobby Valentine took over the club as the manager, replacing the once-beloved Terry Francona.

Whether Valentine was the best option at the time is irrelevant. It's what he's doing now that we can judge and discuss.

Sure, he failed to managed his team properly in the opening weeks, leaving pitchers in too long and so forth. However, he shouldn't be blamed for the poor performances that we saw. If Adrian Gonzalez just doesn't get a hit for a few games, it's not the manager's fault.

If he cannot corral this team to a postseason appearance, major change is going to need to happen. That being said, Bobby Valentine will have to be fired. It was a nice idea, but it just didn't work out.

Taking over should be Tim Bogar, Boston's current bench coach. Bogar was a candidate for the managerial position after Francona was fired but didn't end up having the experience that the front office was looking for.

Now, he's a brilliant choice. He's sat under Francona and Valentine and knows how to manage a professional baseball team. We've seen other Boston coaches take head coach positions such as John Farrell and Brad Mills, so why not Bogar?

Kevin Youkilis' Option Declined

Is there any chance that Kevin Youkilis will have his option for 2013 picked up by the Red Sox? I really don't think so.

Before getting injured, Youkilis was bad. In 18 games, he hit .219/.292/.344 with 20 strikeouts in 64 at-bats and only had four extra-base hits to his credit.

Like I said, now he's injured and has virtually lost his job at third base. The only reason he will get some time once he's healthy will be to raise his diminished trade value so that Boston could possibly move him at the trade deadline.

If somehow, some way, Kevin Youkilis makes it though the season in Boston and they don't make the playoffs, he'll absolutely be gone for 2013. Count on that.

Daniel Bard Back to the 'Pen

One of Boston's experiments going into this season was to try and transition Daniel Bard into a starting pitcher.

So far, mixed results. In seven appearances (six starts), Bard is 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 37.2 innings.

One of the concerning statistics about Bard now that he's in the starting rotation is his strikeouts per nine innings.

In 2009 (as a reliever) it was 11.5.

In 2010 (as a reliever) it was 9.2.

In 2011 (as a reliever) it was 9.1.

This season it's 5.5.

Why isn't he striking people out anymore? Is there even a solution to that?

Boston will have the opportunity to get quality starting pitching in the offseason, making a move back to the bullpen a very real possibility for Daniel Bard.

Josh Beckett Finally Dealt

Ugh. Are there any Josh Beckett fans out there anymore?

After a couple terrible starts this season, it almost seems like Beckett might be getting on the right track, after a brilliant performance on his birthday yesterday against the Seattle Mariners.

His latest start was his first where he didn't allow a run, but he has already allowed at least three runs in four starts, including two starts where he allowed seven runs.

The thing that doesn't float my boat is the time where he went golfing after being skipped in the rotation. Whether Valentine or anyone else says it's not a big deal or whether he was healthy or injured doesn't matter to me.

If it's during the season, you do not play other sports and risk getting injured. It's that simple.

We need to stop treating those who won World Series for us like they're gods.

If Boston doesn't make the playoffs, Josh Beckett has to go. Plain and simple. The Red Sox will have to eat a chunk of his remaining salary but that will be fine since they'll get rid of one of the cancers on their roster.

Completely Revamped Bullpen

The current Red Sox bullpen consists of Alfredo Aceves, Franklin Morales, Matt Albers, Scott Atchison, Vicente Padilla, Rich Hill and Andrew Miller. Uh, yeah.

I understand that Andrew Bailey is injured and that Mark Melancon is currently trying to find whatever he lost after coming over from the National League in the minors, but those aren't excuses.

Boston started the season with one of the worst bullpen ERA's in all of baseball. They have several guys who are in their 30's and have suffered major injuries throughout their careers.

If Boston doesn't make the playoffs, consider a lot of those names gone.

Four locks to be in the bullpen for 2013 include Bailey, Melancon, Aceves and the aforementioned Daniel Bard.

Other than those four, don't expect to see any of those other no-namers in the bullpen. Boston needs solid young, healthy relievers that they can depend on late in the game. No more of just throwing a lefty out there to face a righty because it might work out. Put guys into the game who you know will get the job done.

Either bring some reliable guys up for Triple-A Pawtucket or seek them out during free agency.

Young Guns Get Their Shot

Ah yes, the future of the Boston Red Sox. Gotta love it, right?

We've already caught a glimpse of this with the slugging top prospect Will Middlebrooks replacing Kevin Youkilis at third base while he's injured. In 12 games, he's hitting .300/.340/.640 with four home runs, 14 RBI and nine runs. Those are the types of numbers Boston needs.

Another name that's made an impact recently is Daniel Nava. We mainly know Nava after he hit a grand slam against the Philadelphia Phillies on the first pitch he ever saw, but now he's back and maybe back for an extended period of time. Ever since he came up, both Boston and Nava have been playing great.

If Boston fails to make the postseason for the third consecutive season, I would expect full support for the organization's young guns going into next season.

This means finally allowing Jose Iglesias to man shortstop full-time as well as bringing up catcher Ryan Lavarnway.

Iglesias shouldn't have much trouble stealing the job from Mike Aviles, and, as you'll read on the next slide, Lavarnway might not need to catch immediately.

Regardless, they'll be here and here for good.

David Ortiz Not Re-Signed

This is definitely one of my bolder predictions if Boston is to miss the postseason again but it could happen. After this season, David "Big Papi" Ortiz will enter free agency.

He has had a spectacular season thus far, leading the team in several categories, and could possibly be in contention for an MVP award.

Even though he's currently 36 years old, Ortiz will seek a multi-year deal that could make him even wealthier than he already is.

Is re-signing one of their most popular players their biggest priority? I'm going with no.

Yes, David Ortiz has been one of the best players Red Sox Nation has ever seen, and he will forever be thanked for his performances in 2004 and 2007.

The priority for the Red Sox should be to use their money on pitching help, as I'll discuss in the next slide. Boston could easily slot Ryan Lavarnway into the DH role and let him mature as the future star he's supposed to be.

Using a DH that can also play the field on a somewhat regular basis could be a huge advantage for Boston going forward and is something that they currently struggle with. Letting Lavarnway DH and catch would open up time for other players to take days off from the field and still get in their hitting.

I hate to say it but it might be time to cut ties with David Ortiz. 

Ben Cherington Empties His Wallet

Finally we get to the fun part, filling the holes I've just given the Boston Red Sox.

Let's just take a look at some of the names Boston could be interested that will be available during free agency.

Catchers: Miguel Montero, Mike Napoli

Outfielders: Josh Hamilton, BJ Upton, Andre Ethier, Carlos Quentin, Nick Swisher

Starting Pitchers: Gavin Floyd (team option), Zach Greinke, Cole Hamels, Edwin Jackson, Jake Peavy (team option), Jonathan Sanchez, Joe Saunders

Relief Pitchers: Jonathan Broxton, JP Howell

These are just a few names that jump out but the opportunities are virtually endless. 

Ben Cherington will need to empty his pockets and buy a team that can make the postseason. If he fails to do this, he's gone. As a GM, your job is to make moves with hopes that those moves will win a World Series. If you cannot even get into the postseason, you shouldn't be the GM.

Putting a focus on at least signing one big-name starting pitcher is essential. The pitching has been problematic this season and needs a serious upgrade.

Other than that, let the checkbook do the talking. Sign the players that will bring home a championship.