Red Sox management has repeatedly rejected my advice for how to build a winning team but it's time that they finally sit down and listen to what I have to say.
I understand that after winning championships in 2004 and 2007 and making the playoffs in 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2009 that they might not have needed me a few years ago, however, after missing the playoffs for three straight years and finishing with a 69-83 record this past season it might be time for general manager Ben Cherington to follow my Mitt Romney inspired four-point plan to get the Red Sox back into contention in 2013.
Here is my plan to get the Red Sox back in the mix for a spot in the American League playoffs and the franchises third World Series in ten years.
Step #1 - Hire a Manager Before the Start of the World Series
Seeing that the Tigers begin their quest to capture their first title since 1984, this gives Cherington five days to hire a new on-field leader. The favorite seems to be ex-pitching coach and current Blue Jays manager John Farrell (who was also their favorite last year but the Sox couldn't procure him from Toronto) but if Toronto's management has unreasonable demands - such as asking for Clay Buchholz - than Boston needs to move on by kickoff of the Patriots game on Sunday. This process can not be strung out like it was a year ago.
If Farrell is not going to be the manager, my vote would be split between DeMarlo Hale and Brad Ausmus.
Hale was a coach on Terry Francona's staff, knows Boston, knows the Red Sox clubhouse and management, and seems to be that guy who keeps getting passed over every year that is going to be very successful when he finally gets his chance.
Ausmus' background as a highly respected catcher should help with in-game decisions as well as with helping the pitchers and catchers have a better plan of attack than they did this past season.
Step #2 - Re-Sign These Free Agents
David Ortiz and Cody Ross should be brought back, at reasonable dollars, to help solidify the middle of the Red Sox lineup. Ortiz should get around 2-years and $28-million while Ross should get something like $9 or $10-million a year for two or three seasons. Their bats are responsible for hitting home runs and driving in runs and with a bunch of other problems to solve, the Red Sox can not let offensive production walk out the door unless the money becomes ridiculous.
Another free agent to re-sign should be Vicente Padilla. Padilla transformed himself into a reliable middle relief pitcher this past season and he would provide quality depth for the bullpen. Rich Hill, who has been hurt each of the last two years but has been an excellent left handed reliever when on the mound, should also be brought back.
Step #3 - Trade Jacoby Ellsbury
This will not be an easy choice to make for a lot of reasons but the Red Sox need to make a well informed, baseball driven, major deal and moving Ellsbury would meet those criteria.
The fear in trading Ellsbury is that his incredible 2011 season is a level he can play at consistently and that he'll be in contention for the MVP for the rest of the decade.
However, he has been injury-prone and has not produced at an MVP level for a long period of time. Remember, he can be a free agent after this season and with Scott Boras as his agent, he will command a huge contract and the Red Sox do not know if he is a future Hall of Fame centerfielder or a player with immense talent who did not work out because he had bad luck and could not stay healthy. By dealing him now, they would get a good return and not have to worry about looking back with regret that they dumped him for pennies on the dollar (if they traded him in July) or got nothing in return other than a single draft pick if he walks as a free agent or that they paid him top-tier money in return for a banged up guy with a ton of potential.
The Texas Rangers, who stand to lose Josh Hamilton as a free agent, could deal shortstop Elvis Andrus, pitcher Derek Holland, and a pitching prospect such as Justin Grimm in return for Ellsbury and a prospect like Brandon Jacobs. The Rangers have Jurickson Profar ready to take over at shortstop and have pitching depth to spare so they can afford the price for Ellsbury (while adding a power hitting prospect in Jacobs) while the Red Sox get a starting shortstop, a middle of the rotation starter, and another pitching prospect.
Step #4 - Sign these Free Agents
This is not going to be a plug for the Red Sox to dump $200+ million on Hamilton and Zack Greinke.
The Red Sox need pitching and quality hitters for their lineup. They also have some good pitching and hitting prospects on the horizon so they don't need to break the bank but instead just add quality depth.
Jake Peavy would be a nice starting point for the pitching staff. The 31-year-old and former National League Cy Young winner proved this year he can succeed in the A.L. and would be a nice veteran presence to add to the rotation. As the Red Sox bid farewell to Daisuke Matsuzaka and his bloated contract, they could afford to pay Peavy enough to get him to Boston.
Shaun Marcum, who pitched well in the A.L. East in his early days with the Blue Jays and has been solid in his two years with the Brewers would be a nice pick up if they can't woo Peavy.
Mike Napoli, who offers power and offensive production from the right side of the plate and can catch or play first base, has always hit well at Fenway Park and would be a nice middle of the order addition. Nick Swisher, who can play the outfield or first base, would also be a good addition and has the added benefit of having the reputation of possessing a personality that would have fit in perfectly with the "Idiot" Red Sox of 2004. Considering the focus and pressure that is always on the Red Sox, having a player who can produce and keep things light would be a welcome addition.
The Red Sox would have a need in centerfield after dealing Ellsbury. They could fill that from within - a combination of Ryan Kalish and Scott Podsednik with the knowledge that Jackie Bradley should be in the Opening Day lineup in 2014 and could be of help at some point in 2013 - or try and add a player like B.J. Upton. Upton has a ton of potential but the Red Sox already struck out in trying to pay good money for a Tampa Bay outfielder so I like the idea of saving money in centerfield in 2013 and waiting for Bradley to emerge in the immediate future. I would like them to sign free agent Reed Johnson as a depth piece off the bench.
As for the bullpen, it's such a volatile market that you really never know who is going to succeed. When the Red Sox traded oft-injured Jed Lowrie to Houston for Mark Melancon, they thought they were getting a guy perfectly suited for the seventh or eighth inning but he imploded early on and didn't find any consistent success until the end of the season when they were long past the point of contention.
So, if the Red Sox take my advice, and we've established that this is the year that they should be listening closely, here is what the 2013 Red Sox would look like going into spring training:
Starting Pitchers
Jon Lester
Clay Buchholz
Jake Peavy or Shaun Marcum
Felix Doubront
Derek Holland
John Lackey
Bullpen
Andrew Bailey
Junichi Tazawa
Craig Breslow
Daniel Bard
Mark Melancon
Rich Hill
Alfredo Aceves
Clayton Mortenson
Andrew Miller
Vicente Padilla
Scott Atchison
Lineup:
1. Elvis Andrus (R), SS
2. Dustin Pedroia (R), 2B
3. David Ortiz, (L), DH
4. Mike Napoli (R), 1B
5. Nick Swisher (S), RF
6. Cody Ross (R), LF
7. Will Middlebrooks (R), 3B
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (S), C
9. Ryan Kalish (L), CF
Bench:
Mike Aviles, Utility
Jose Iglesias, SS
Scott Podsednik, OF
Reed Johnson, OF
Ryan Lavarnway, C
There would be quite a few battles for spots, especially in the bullpen and starting rotation, but the versatility of guys like Napoli, Swisher, and Aviles would help with the positional players.
We'll see how loyal of a reader Ben Cherington is because this is an important offseason.
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