Relax Boston Red Sox Fans, 2010 Will Be Redemption

After the disastrous implosion of the impenetrable closer Jonathan Papelbon yesterday, many people were writing that 2010 could be a transitional year for the Red Sox. They won't be as good. It will be like 2006, when they did not even make the playoffs. That is such a crap shoot. 

First off, that pitching rotation has a chance to win 75 games by themselves alone next year. Just look at the pitching rotation next year.

First off you have Josh Beckett, who many considered right in line with Zack Grienke for the Cy Young Award up until a couple of bad starts in late August. Not to mention that, Josh Beckett will be pitching for a new contract next year. He has been the best Red Sox starter since he arrived. He has had at least 15 wins in four of his last five years. He will continue his dominance. 

Then we have Jon Lester, who was a top 3 pitcher in the majors since the end of May. This year he solidified himself as a top 3 left handed starter in the big leagues. This guy is the real deal, and if you do not believe me, there is something wrong with you. Unless he becomes injured, there is no way this guy does not reach 15 wins next year. He is my Cy Young Award winner prediction for next year. No doubt about it. 

Clay Buchholz finally emerged as the top prospect he was considered. The author of a no-hit bid years ago, it seems like. Other than two bad starts at the end of the year, he pitched significantly well and at one point had the third best ERA in September. This guy arguably has the best stuff on the rotation. He put the Sox in a great position to win in game 3. I see him winning 15 games, and following the footsteps of Jon Lester's rise to stardom.

After a complete failure in the first two months of the season, Daisuke Matsuzaka spent a long time in Fort Myers, then came back to show us what he really was. He whipped himself in shape, and had three solid starts. There is no way he comes to spring training next year out of shape. He won 18 games, in 2008, he could be a dark horse candidate for the Cy Young. He has the stuff, and he seemed to finally harness it at the end of the year this year. 

People seem to forget that Tim Wakefield had 11 wins before his all-star selection. For some reason though, people do not want the Red Sox front office to pick up his mutual option. Are you kidding me? If not for a nerve problem in his back, this guy could have had 20 wins. A nerve problem that Tim said will be easily fixed, and he will be back in the rotation next year eating up his 200 plus innings and winning his 15+ games. 

If you look at that rotation without any injuries, that is the best rotation in the game. Theo Epstein will not fool around with any of those low risk-high reward situations anymore, because as we realized there is a lot of risk. We might have had the best record in the game had Buchholz been pitching in Penny or Smoltz's spot. Definitely would have 100 wins if Daisuke was injury-free the whole season. 

Let me also remind you of those thinking our offense needs tinkering. No one knows that more than our front office. We have the best front office in the game. They are not writing next year off. Re-signing Bay or signing Matt Holliday is a MUST. I do not care which one he chooses, but we need one of them. Then I would not be surprised at all to see Theo pull of a blockbuster deal in the off season. Maybe he will revisit the Hanley Ramirez talks. That is who the Red Sox need right there. A shortstop that plays at least league average defense and tears the cover off the ball. Whoever Theo decides to sign or trade for, the Red Sox will be out for redemption next year.