2011 Season Preview: Four Reasons Why Adrian Gonzalez Will Be an MVP in Boston

During this last off-season, the Red Sox made major moves to put the team in a better position as World Series contenders. 

The release of third baseman Adrian Beltre and the signing of all-star outfielder Carl Crawford headline an array of changes in Boston.

However, none may be bigger than the acquisition of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez from the San Diego Padres.

Gonzalez brings a powerful bat and reliable glove to the Red Sox along with a reputation as one of the league’s premier first basemen.

In his first season with the Red Sox, Gonzalez is poised for a huge season and here are the four reasons why he will put up MVP-type numbers in the 2011 season.

The Pesky Pole: 302 Feet in Right Field

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FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 19: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox stretches during a Spring Training Workout Session at the Red Sox Player Development Complex on February 19, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Imag

In his days as a Padre, Gonzalez hammered 161 home runs and 176 doubles at Petco Park. 

Across the league, Petco Park is considered one of the worst hitters’ parks and pitchers thrive on its deep dimensions. 

Petco Park is 367 feet in left field, 402 feet in the alleys, 396 feet in center field, and 382 feet in right field.

Thankfully for Gonzalez, Fenway Park is much friendlier to the long ball, especially to left-handed hitters. 

With the Pesky Pole at 302 feet in right field at Fenway, you can expect Gonzalez to take advantage of the much shorter dimensions. 

One can argue that many fly balls that would normally be outs in Petco for Gonzalez could be home runs or extra base hits at Fenway instead.

Regardless, Gonzalez’s hitting numbers should increase with the more hitter-friendly atmosphere at Fenway Park.

Protection in the Lineup

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ST. PETERSBURG - JUNE 22: Outfielder Carl Crawford #13 of the Tampa Bay Rays gets back to first safely as first baseman Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the San Diego Padres takes the throw during the game at Tropicana Field on June 22, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Flo

Going into 2011, Gonzalez will be surrounded with a much more talented lineup than he’s accustomed to in San Diego.

Early projected opening day line-ups for the Red Sox place Gonzalez in the clean-up spot with Crawford in the third spot and Kevin Youkilis behind Gonzalez in the five hole.

 Compare this to the San Diego Padres opening day line-up from the 2010 season. 

 Gonzalez was the third hitter for the Padres and surrounded by the likes of David Eckstein and Kyle Blanks.

 In Boston, pitchers won’t have luxury of pitching around Gonzalez.  The Red Sox will have a lot of talent all throughout the line-up.

 If they decide to pitch around him, they will face scoring situations with players like Mike Cameron, David Ortiz, or Youkilis who are known for driving in runs.

 With all of the talent surrounding Gonzalez, he should see more hittable pitches, and therefore, have more opportunities to produce extra base hits and runs.

It's Worked Before: David Ortiz

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FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 19: Designated hitter David Ortiz #34 and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox wait for ground balls during a Spring Training Workout Session at the Red Sox Player Development Complex on February 19, 2011 in F

 With the season still to play, in order to best guess how Gonzalez will impact the Red Sox, one solution could be to look at a similar situation from the recent history of the Red Sox.

  In 2003, David Ortiz signed a free agent contract after leaving the Minnesota Twins.  Ortiz, a power, left-handed first baseman, went on to lead the Red Sox to two World Series titles and also hitting 291 home runs during his career with the Boston Red Sox. 

  Ortiz has gone on to claim six All-Star selections, four Silver Slugger Awards and also an ALCS MVP.

  He was able to take advantage of his circumstances in Boston and really produce a successful career with his power numbers over the last six years.

  Of course, all of this is speculation when comparing Ortiz and Gonzalez in order to prove that Gonzalez will put up big numbers.

  However, Gonzalez brings that same type of power hitting batting style and one could argue a more all-around set of skills than those that Ortiz possessed when starting up with the Red Sox.

  Clearly, this kind of move worked very well for the Red Sox in signing Ortiz.  There is no reason to believe that it won’t work again.

Gonzalez’s Prime Years

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BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 06: Adrian Gonzalez (R) shakes hands with Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein after it was announced that Gonzalez signed with the Boston Red Sox on December 6, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/

 Adrian Gonzalez will turn only 29 on May 8 this season.  In only six years in the league, Gonzalez has established himself as one of the best power hitting first basemen in the league.

 He is arguably entering in the prime of his career. At only 28, Gonzalez will continue to develop his power over the next several years. 

 In his career with the Padres, Gonzalez only missed a total of 11 regular season games, showing that he is one of the most durable players in the league.

 Barring injury, Gonzalez will be a consistent player for the Red Sox, which will only maximize his opportunities to make a positive impact in the Red Sox line-up.

 If this three-time all star can improve on his career .284 batting average and continue his streak of four seasons with at least 30 home runs, Gonzalez could potentially develop into a legitimate AL MVP candidate for the Boston Red Sox.

 Gonzalez will undoubtedly take advantage of his new situation in Boston and he’ll put up numbers worthy of one of the league’s top-tier players.