Did the Boston Red Sox out smart themselves?

[MaineDolFan]

The Red Sox went into this season with two goals:  sacrifice offense a little for defense and pitching.  Let's take a look at how this is turning out for the Sox:

Last year Boston signed Renteria and after a whopping one season, could not wait to ship the guy off.  So, let's start at SS:

Renteria:  .364 average, 2 home runs, 11 RBI, 2 stolen bases.

His replacement:
Gonzales: .181 average, 0 home runs, 5 RBI, 0 stolen bases.

Gonzo has been solid on defense, but his bat is really starting to hurt the Sox.

Second base - ALCS hero Mark Bellhorn, a very solid defensive 2B player, run out of town:

.302 average, 2 home runs, 11 RBI

His replacement is Mark Loretta, who broke into the majors in 1934:

.207 average, 1 home run (a walk off game winner), 12 RBI.  Loretta, it should be noted, turns the double play like it's his job.

Wait.  It is.

3B has been a nice surprise.  Lowell is hitting .326 with two home runs and 14 ribbies.  Bill Mueller, who patrolled the hot corner the past three seasons is hitting .274 with 3 home runs and 15 ribs.

Youkilis is doing very well at 1B, hitting .287 / 1 / 14.  Kevin Millar is Ted Lilly with a bat.  He sucks.  .205 and 2/10.

You might think "well, two of your replacements are up grades on defense and offense (meaning Youk and Lowell), while the other two are upgrades on defense - so that isn't a bad trade off."

Yes it is.  Very bad.  Loretta and Gonzo are batting a combined .194 - and that is really starting to show.  Since game 5 of the season Boston has been playing without Coco Crisp, meaning everyone moves up one.  Boston leads the world with men left in RISP with 1,223,544 as of last night.  In the lead off position, Coco was hitting .333 when he went out with his injury.  Loretta, at that point, was wedged in between Coco and Ortiz, therefore saw better pitches to look at. They had to get him to put the ball in play, teams could not afford two men on when Ortiz comes up.  Youk was able to bat at the number 7 position, wedged in between Lowell and Gonzo, thus protecting Gonzo.

In theory, this all should start to reshuffle itself when Coco gets back into the lineup.  I spent some time with Coco yesterday, he's real close.

But that still doesn't take away from the fact Loretta and Gonzo need to be protected.  In a division where you face Toronto and their ass raping batting order 19 times a year - and the Yankees and their donkey show fire power 19 times a year - you can have LIMITED weakness in your order.  But a combined .194?  That is a liability that you simply can't afford.

Watch for Alex Cora to start getting more looks at SS, and soon.  He's a slight downgrade from Gonzo with the glove, but he's a much better bat.  Stevie Wonder would be a better bat right now.  Second base is tough.  Loretta is solid with the glove and turns a mean double play.  He's a life time .300+ hitter - but this slump is killing Boston.

Anyone that reads my Red Sox stuff knows that I am very happy to have Josh Beckett, but still pissed that we gave up Hanley Ramirez to get him.  There should have been another way.  This kid is going to be something.  He should be playing in AAA this year, but the Marlins situation, he's their starting SS.  Now - remember - this kid needs to be in AAA.  He's batting .287 with two home runs and 10 RBI's.  He's going to be A Rod good.  I would have rather traded Jon Lester to get Beckett and keep Ramirez.

Oh.  Did I mention that he's 20 years old?

As the season progresses, one name to keep handy will be Cesar Izturis of the Dodgers.  He's on the DL right now, but as soon as he comes off a trade could happen to bring him to Boston.  He's a life time .270 guy (in three full seasons in the bigs) and has a slick glove.

And - from the "it could only happen in Boston" files:  Look for another home coming once the season ends.  Bronson Arroyo, because of the trade, can opt out of his contract after this season.  And - he is going to.  Now, follow along.  This gets confusing:

Arroyo needed more innings than Boston could give him this season.  He signed, against his agent's wishes, a trade friendly contract that could be voided - if he got traded.  He gets traded to the Reds who slot him at the number two position.  Hence - he'll start all year, might even get 30 starts this season.  After the year ends he'll void his contract and get the pay day he was looking for all along...with the Red Sox.  And here is the kick in the teeth for you Red's fans:  it was planned this way all along.  Boston gets a kid that is going to be a 35-40 home run guy in Pena, and he's under contact for another four years.  The Reds get a pitcher for one season.

Too far fetched for you?  It's not too out there for the Reds, who are planning on filing an official complaint with MLB this week.  Food for thought.

Anywho, I'm out.

[Fau Teixeira]

i don't think boston gets beckett if they don't give up hanley ..the marlins have a pretty solid management .. they knew exactly what they were giving up and exactly what they were getting .. look for the marlins to make a serious WS push within 2-3 years again .. the potential is there.. the players are getting experience and maturing.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Hanley Ramirez surprised me a lot. I figured he would be a star eventually, but not his rookie season.

It's hard to compare Arroyo to his years in Boston and now in Cincy because the NL is a much easier place to pitch in. Not to mention that Arroyo is new to the NL hitters and that's an advantage for him. Look at Chris Carpenter between Toronto and St. Louis. Look at Clemens and Pettitte between the AL and NL. Look at Pedro's last few years in Boston and his first season with the Mets.

Dare I say, look at Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright and Javier Vasquez. Oh, Jeff Weaver too. To me, Boston made some questionable moves, but Arroyo for Wily Mo wasn't one of them.

On that subject, I don't know why Loretta is batting 2nd when Wily Mo is batting 8th, if he even plays at all.

[Denver_Bronco]

I think the whole front office managment debacle/scenario that involved Epstein has alot to do with the pick-ups and problems Boston is facing at this point. I wouldn't worry too much cause you know they will correct whatever problems they have right now.

[Sunstroke]

If Arroyo can carry over his performance so far this year into a Red Sox uniform next year, then this is a steal. I wonder if there is anything illegal (at least according to MLB's charter) about this arrangement. You'd think if Cinci really had any complaints, they would have addressed those prior to giving Arroyo such a booby-trapped contract.

[Sunstroke]

Hanley Ramirez surprised me a lot. I figured he would be a star eventually, but not his rookie season.

Hanley Ramirez is such a stud...I am already looking at getting his home jersey to wear to Fish games down here. Great bat, excellent wheels and great range in the hole.

[EDGECRUSHER]

If Arroyo can carry over his performance so far this year into a Red Sox uniform next year, then this is a steal. I wonder if there is anything illegal (at least according to MLB's charter) about this arrangement. You'd think if Cinci really had any complaints, they would have addressed those prior to giving Arroyo such a booby-trapped contract.

What did Boston do about his contract?

Also, I don't think if Arroyo goes 18-6 with a 2.80 ERA this year he will do the same with Boston next year. Especially with his track record against the Yankees & Orioles.