Football
Matt Pike 20y

FLB Offseason Reviews: Red Sox

Whether it's for fantasy baseball or real life, it never hurts to keep track in the offseason. Lost track of what your favorite team did in December? Who's your new right fielder? And where did your fifth fantasy keeper go? Who's in Coors that you might draft now? Let us help you with our Team-by-Team Offseason Reviews.

BOSTON RED SOX

Possible Lineup
1. Johnny Damon, CF
2. Bill Mueller, 3B
3. Manny Ramirez, LF
4. Nomar Garciaparra, SS
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Kevin Millar, 1B
7. Trot Nixon, RF
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Pokey Reese, 2B


2004 RED SOX
Possible Rotation
1. Pedro Martinez, RHP
2. Curt Schilling, RHP
3. Derek Lowe, RHP
4. Tim Wakefield, RHP
5. Byung-Hyun Kim, RHP
CL: Keith Foulke, RHP

  • What the Red Sox did this offseason:
    Theo Einstein, um Epstein, gave the Red Sox two things this offseason that they haven't had in quite some time. Sox ownership stepped up the Schillings to get Curt. Schilling is the second ace to Pedro that Sox fans have been demanding. With the second gift, Epstein ensured Sox fans that there wouldn't be a bullpen by committee this year when he snagged Keith Foulke off the free agent market. The AL's No. 1 offense stays perfectly intact. The only way the Sox could have had a better winter is if they got some guy named ... A-Rod or something. Well, they tried to deal their "I want to be a Yankee" left fielder for the game's best, but money broke the deal. Nomar Garciaparra and Manny Ramirez are staying and A-Rod is off to New York. If the Sox would have known that Rodriquez would end up in NY, they wouldn't have let $4 million become a deal breaker. The fact is that the Sox are going to put a tremendous team on the field this year. The players, management and fans have to remember the additions and not dwell on the one that got away. The one was kind of big though.

    PLAYER RATER
    Top Current Sox, 2003
    Pedro Martinez, 9th overall
    Nomar Garciaparra, 22nd

    Manny Ramirez, 23rd

    Keith Foulke, 27th

    Curt Schilling, 40th

  • Are they better, worse?
    The Red Sox might be the most improved club this season. Boston brings back an offense that scored 67 more runs than anyone else in the AL. The team hit .289 and scored nearly six runs a game. The need to fill was obviously in the pen. The committee blew 21 of 57 chances, while Foulke blew only 5 out of 48. The Sox bullpen not only had a 4.83 ERA, but also forced the starters to go deeper in games. It looked like someone was out of gas in Game 7 of the ALCS, right Grady? Oh, that reminds me, no more Grady Little. New manager Terry Francona worked well with Schilling in Philadelphia, but Francona's .440 winning percentage won't cut it in Beantown. The Sox might have a better rotation and bullpen than the Yankees, but they had a number of players overachieve last year. Mueller won the batting title by hitting 64 points higher than he did in 2002. Ortiz, Millar and Nixon all had career years. Will Nomar and Pedro's contracts become an issue? Will Ramirez ever care enough to win a division? If the offense can duplicate last year, the Sox will win the division. That's a lot to ask for and so is a division title.

  • Spring Fantasy Sleepers
    When a team dominates across the board on offense you have to look at the pen or the rotation for sleepers. Well, everyone knows how good Foulke and the front of the rotation are. Kim is the darkhorse of the starters. Throughout his career he has been used as a closer and we all remember his WS performance against the Yanks. The Red Sox will use him as a starter with no chance of him closing. As a starter Kim held opponents to a .231 avg and finished with a 1.12 WHIP. Kim has always wanted to start, but has really never been given a fair shot. The pressure won't get to him because he is the fifth starter. He seemed to run into trouble after 90 pitches or six innings. With the Sox improved pen and dominating offense, six innings may equal a win. He can be an asset in every category except saves.

  • Red Sox you want in fantasy
    Always look for a star that is in a contract year. See Ivan Rodriguez and Javy Lopez. Garciaparra has always been a keeper in fantasy, but after the way he was treated this offseason, he may hit the Red Sox for every dollar. Nomar realizes the Sox are in a jam right now. They tried to get A-Rod, so you can forget about a hometown discount at the end of the year. Expect 30 HR and 120 RBI with a .320 average. Not bad for an unwanted SS. Martinez is in the same position. With every W and K he posts this season, that contract extension gets closer. Martinez is your 4-category starter. In what was considered a somewhat off year, he still posted a 1.04 WHIP and 2.22 ERA. At his best Martinez could post 20 W with a WHIP under 1. Francona will keep him on a tight pitch count, so his complete game days are a thing of the past, but a better pen should get him more wins. Martinez and Nomar, still the straws that stir the drink.

  • Red Sox clubhouse page | Roster | Games by position

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