| Carlton Best. 1st August, 2006 - 6:24 pm
 The July 31st trade deadline was uneventful for Red Sox fans. Aside, of course, from the previous day?s pickup of right-hander Bryan Corey from the Rangers for minor leaguer Luis Mendoza. This was hardly the big blockbuster move that some were waiting for, and maybe even wanted (kind of like the people that watch NASCAR only for the crashes). There were plenty of rumors, the biggest of which included sending promising young pitchers Craig Hansen and Jon Lester (along with centerfielder Coco Crisp) to Atlanta for Andruw Jones. So in the end, the Red Sox acquired nothing but nervous fans.
Adding to the paranoia was the fact that other contenders made moves, and some teams made moves to become contenders. One of the big name moves was the Yankees? pickup of outfielder Bobby Abreu and pitcher Cory Lidle from the Phillies for some minor leaguers. I?m not saying that this move will determine the post season, but it will at least give the Yankees some confidence for the stretch run. That doesn?t mean the Red Sox don?t have confidence, but what do they have?
The Red Sox have problems. They?ve lost 2 out of their last 3 series and as of Monday were only one half game ahead of New York. The Red Sox, like just about every other team, need pitching. Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett are a combined 26-9, but can be shakier than their records indicate. After that, it?s anyone?s guess. Matt Clement is possibly out for the year, and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is on the DL with a cracked rib. David Wells came off of the disabled list on Monday with disappointing results, causing some to speculate about his body giving out on him. It doesn?t end there either; relief pitchers Lenny DiNardo and Keith Foulke are also out of commission. The only thing I expect from reliever Julian Tavarez is inciting bench-clearing brawl and then saying it was self defense.
The Sox have made a few additions (Kyle Snyder and Jason Johnson), but even General Manager Theo Epstein knows those two are the equivalent of sticking your fingers in the holes of a bursting damn. The one bright spot is Jonathan Papelbon, who is having a tremendous year as closer.
We all know about the Bronson Arroyo trade, but hindsight is 20/20. You can never have too much pitching, one lesson I?m sure Epstein learned this season. Epstein?s current stance is not to throw away the future for a possible one time run to late October, (see: Jeff Bagwell). Which, I can understand, as long as he doesn?t have that perspective every year. However, Epstein does know when to pull the trigger, sending off Red Sox hero Nomar Garciaparra for key defensive help in the 2004 Championship year.
So how did the Sox fair at the end of the day? I?m not really sure. Would I have wanted to see Boston ship out young pitching studs Lester and Hansen for a power-hitting outfielder? Probably not. I am instilled with confidence that their non-move was the right move? Not really. Am I going to watch every single game cheering at the top of my lungs when they win and cursing until I?m hoarse when they lose, regardless of who is on the mound? You bet. |
