The Red Sox offense has been downright anemic. Comatose, I tell you. And with Smoltz, Buccholz and Penny not exactly being consistent, they need to put some runs on that big board in the outfield. Theo had a mandate, a mission, and it was not impossible. The Red Sox have a farm system loaded with players to ship out for guys who play in the Bigs now.
Rumors were non-stop. But today was the day, and when it all came down the Red Sox were probably better but certainly more mystifying.
Victor Martinez, the switch-hitting, catcher-firstbaseman-DH from Cleveland was a coveted player. He’s been consistent, and consistently good. He’s got the power to be a middle of the line up hitter to keep pitchers honest. The problem is how to get him on the field. Ortiz, having now hit 2 HRs after learning he tested positive for PEDs in 2003, is the everyday DH. You don’t want to sit him, right? You don’t sit Youk unless he’s hurt. Yes, Varitek has been slumping something awful in a return of 2008 ‘Tek at the plate. But his true value is calling a game. He needs more time off, and Kotaras can’t seem to hit even as well as ‘Tek. So Victor will pick up a few games a week there.
The real question is Lowell. He can still hit, but fielding has been an issue for him. It’s the lateral movement, which should force the pitchers to adjust so the ball is not smoked down the left side of the field. Victor will enable the Sox to give Mikey more time. And he provides great insurance just in case Lowell is put on the DL again.
With Adam LaRoche sitting in that dugout, they decided to ship him out for a different first baseman. Kotchman comes over in his place. He doesn’t have much power, but his splits are better than LaRoche’s vs. lefties. Gotta be, right? He will most likely play the Dave Stapleton/Doug M. role this season as the late innings defensive replacement. Unlike LaRoche, he’s also signed for next season.
All this means the Red Sox aren’t “renting” players. And all they essentially gave up was Masterson and Hagadone. I’m thinking the other guys don’t make it to the bigs. Hagadone is the guy I think has real potential. But Clay, Bowden and especially Bard remain with the team.
The real challenge is going to be for Francona to keep everyone reasonably happy. They all want to play, and on most teams would play. But I’m sure Francona would prefer this problem over the one he had in the ALCS last season when Lowell couldn’t play anymore and they really needed his offense. Now, wake up bats! No excuses not to challenge the Yankees. Too bad they couldn’t pick up
Cavman Considers 
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