Why the Red Sox will have a great season this year

[yagmaster]

Here is an article I wrote for my School Newspaper. Let me know what you guys think:

 

 

In 2004, the Boson Red Sox accomplished what had eluded them since 1918; they won the World Series. Having beaten the St. Louis Cardinals in a four game sweep after completing the greatest comeback in sports history against the New York Yankees, the Sox left most of their fans ecstatic, and dare I say it, satisfied. Behind Wonder boy General Manager Theo Epstein, however, we should expect more of the same from the Sox, and not resign ourselves to one time shot.

 

This off-season has proved to be the most difficult in recent memory for the Sox. Several key pieces of the Red Sox of the last few years, including the legendary Pedro Martinez, will play for different teams in 2005. There are also, however, a handle of great additions to the Boston roster that I predict will more than make up for our losses.

 

The area where the Sox took the biggest hit is, as we’re all well aware of, starting pitching. Righties Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe, who have combined for 102 wins in the last three years, have both departed, Pedro to the Mets and Lowe to the Dodgers. At first glance, this seems to be a huge loss to the team, as, before Curt Schilling came to town, Martinez and Lowe were our two best pitchers. The two are not, however, the same pitchers that led us to the playoffs in 2003; they both suffered substandard seasons in 2004.

 

Pedro posted a 3.90 ERA last year, by far the highest of his career and over a point higher than his career ERA. And even in the playoffs, his usual dominance was replaced by a few struggling outings, including his disastrous relief appearance in Game 7 against the Yankees. Even though even a 3.90 ERA is nothing to scoff at, Pedro is not the Petey of old, and therefore, not worth the monster of a contract he signed with the Mets.

 

Lowe, unlike Pedro, had a terrible season last year, posting a 5.42 ERA. This is unacceptable for any starter, let alone one that was considered for the Cy Young award in 2002. While he was, perhaps, our best pitcher in the playoffs, Lowe’s time in Boston was guaranteed a close by his 2004 performance.

 

To replace Pedro and Lowe, the Red Sox acquired several quality starters. David Wells, even though he is in his low 40’s already, is a gamer and fits in perfectly with the “Idiot” atmosphere the Sox present. I look for him to have a solid 12-15 win season.

 

Wade Miller, a hard throwing young starter from Houston, has been one of the National League’s top pitchers in the last few years…when he’s healthy. His talent is undeniable, and, with a little luck, he can quickly come off the disabled list and help make up for void created by Pedro and Lowe’s departures.

 

Matt Clement, formerly of the Chicago Cubs, I believe, is the biggest addition to the starting rotation. Inconsistency has been his only flaw in his career. Last year, in a rotation with great young pitchers Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, and Carlos Zambrano, many, including Peter Gammons, considered Clement’s stuff to be the team’s best. If Clement can harness this talent, look for him to vie for this years Cy Young award.

 

The other losses to the Sox have been more than made up for by big time additions. One major addition to the Red Sox roster is Shortstop Edgar Renteria, formally of the Cardinals. Ironically, the Cardinals, Red Sox, and Angels swapped shortstops, landing Orlando Cabrera with the Angels, David Eckstein in St. Louis, and Renteria with the good guys. Renteria plays equal if not better defense than Cabrera, and is a much more talented hitter. In 2004, he had a slightly sub par year, by his standard, but if he can return to his 100 RBI 2003 performance, he will be a huge addition to the leagues most potent lineup.

 

The other losses are either minor or have been made up for. Scott Williamson has been replaced by Matt Mantei, and the two are very similar in that they are both injury prone yet dominant. The losses of Doug Mientkiewicz and Gabe Kapler should not hurt the team that much, as neither was used very much last year.

 

In all, the 2005 Red Sox, although they might have several new faces, will continue the winning ways of 2004, and perhaps finally surpass the Yankees as AL East Champions. With a reloaded pitching staff, and the key addition of Edgar Renteria, the Sox are looking very strong. While asking for back to back World Series may seem unrealistic at first, the Red Sox just might follow the guideline set by our own Patriots.

[Sox fan in Tex]

From one writer to another, that's a very well written story. Wish I had the opportunity to write more about the Sox down here in Texas.

[yagmaster]

From one writer to another, that's a very well written story. Wish I had the opportunity to write more about the Sox down here in Texas.

 

Thank you kindly, Tex.

[Manny24]

Nice story man...

 

Alot of my friends have the mindset that the Red Sox pitching is SO much worse than it was last year. Hear is my biggest reason that I love the redsox new pitching staff...

 

The most important category for pitching is wins right? (I mean in the end it comes down to who won the most game, the winner of the divison is measured in games not K's). Well if that is the case that means we have to replace a 14 game winner (Pedro) and another 14 game winner (Lowe). Well do you think Matt Clement will win 14 games? If so, BAM pedro is replaced. Do you think Wells, along with all the extra wins from the rest of the staff will equal 14 wins? if so BAM Lowe is replaced. So in the end we lost 2 flashy guys and gained 3 work horses whos productivity is basically equal

[MoRivera]

Curt Schilling, from what Sox fans say, was there difference maker, and I honestly expect him to have a somewhat bad year, and being fair, would expect his ERA to be around 4.00.

 

Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe were also main pitchers that made you WS run happen, and they are both gone. Clement and Miller are more gamble then they are valuable additions. And mannyman, no matter what you say, Pedro's presence in Boston will never be replaced.

[Sox fan in Tex]

And mannyman, no matter what you say, Pedro's presence in Boston will never be replaced.

 

Maybe his presence prior to the 7th inning. You saying Schilling will have a bad year is your biased opinion...who says Randy Johnson is going to have a great year? Your pitching staff may screw up your whole season AGAIN by not living up to expectations.

[Manny24]

Our pitching staff has questions? Ya it does, but turn around and look at yours, Pavano had a good year last year but look at his stats the previous 2 seasons. I see pavono in the category of Esteban loiazza one good season, goes to yanks and becomes a sub par pitcher. And if A 40 something year old pitcher isnt a question? How many games did Rivera blow against the Sox last season? And how could you possibly be comfterable with Kevin Brown and Jarred Write? I mean sure the sox have some questions in our pitching staff, but the yankees staff isnt perfect either

[Sox fan in Tex]

I mean sure the sox have some questions in our pitching staff, but the yankees staff isnt perfect either

 

Ding, ding ding...we have a winner. Worry about your own pitching staff Yankees fans, before you begin to criticize ours.

[joe]

It is hard to make predictions at this early stage. However, I believe you are overly optimistic in your article.

 

Good luck Sox Nation!

[ACL BoSox]

Well written story yags. I personally believe there's too much hype regarding the AL East in general. However, when healthy, the Boston Red Sox have the second best rotation in baseball, second to only the cubs.

 

Like that song by Tears for Fears goes...

 

"just when you think it's all over... it's not over!"

[Manny24]

However, when healthy, the Boston Red Sox have the second best rotation in baseball, second to only the cubs.

 

 

you'll have to explain how the cubs rotation is the best in the league...

 

Wood (8-9 3.72 ERA)

Prior (4.02 ERA)

Zambrano (Hes probly the cubs most consistent, but hes not an ace)

Maddux (4.02 ERA)

Dempster (3.92 ERA)

 

vs. Sox

 

Schill (21-6, 3.26 ERA)

Wells (12-8, 3.73 ERA)

Clement ( 3.68 ERA)

Arroyo (4.03 ERA)

Miller (3.35 ERA)

[element1151]

Only problem with that is that past stats don't always tell you what will happen in the future.

[MoRivera]

Our pitching staff has questions? Ya it does, but turn around and look at yours, Pavano had a good year last year but look at his stats the previous 2 seasons. I see pavono in the category of Esteban loiazza one good season, goes to yanks and becomes a sub par pitcher. And if A 40 something year old pitcher isnt a question? How many games did Rivera blow against the Sox last season? And how could you possibly be comfterable with Kevin Brown and Jarred Write? I mean sure the sox have some questions in our pitching staff, but the yankees staff isnt perfect either

 

First, I don't know who "Jarred Write" is, but I didn't say our staff was perfect. No baseball staff is perfect, but Johnson is fifty times the pitcher Schilling is, Mussina is currently better than Wells, Pavano is a pitcher that needs to be healthy, because he is a competer, and Jaret Wright went to Mazzone camp, watch out for him. You guys don't want Brown to be healthy, cause if he is, he's better than Schilling.

 

Bullpen wise, ours in incompariable. I mean, Karsay, Mendoza, Gordon, Rodriguez, Stanton, Sturtze, Quantrill, and Mr. Automatic. Come on, how can you guys compare?

[CrespoBlows]

First, I don't know who "Jarred Write" is, but I didn't say our staff was perfect. No baseball staff is perfect, but Johnson is fifty times the pitcher Schilling is, Mussina is currently better than Wells, Pavano is a pitcher that needs to be healthy, because he is a competer, and Jaret Wright went to Mazzone camp, watch out for him. You guys don't want Brown to be healthy, cause if he is, he's better than Schilling.

 

Bullpen wise, ours in incompariable. I mean, Karsay, Mendoza, Gordon, Rodriguez, Stanton, Sturtze, Quantrill, and Mr. Automatic. Come on, how can you guys compare?

 

Karsay coming off injury, always had the reputation of soft

 

Mendoza???

 

Gordon, up there in age, needs workload off him

 

Rodriguez, I like this guy a lot

 

Stanton, uhh? Stanton isn't the '97 Stanton anymore

 

Sturtze, his 5+ ERA last year wasn't that good

 

Quantrill, people batted .312 against him last year

 

Rivera, Sox own this guy.

 

As for your Starting rotation

 

Wow, that's a hell of a lot 50 X better? Damn

 

Mussina had an off year last year, but his stuff doesn't really fool people anymore, he'll have an identical year to Wells

 

Pavano's good, but he'll take at least a few months to adjust

 

Jaret Wright, left Mazzone's camp, so did Kevin Millwood, and Tom Glavine.

 

Kevin Brown, back already flaring up?

[Manny24]

You guys don't want Brown to be healthy, cause if he is, he's better than Schilling.

 

Bullpen wise, ours in incompariable. I mean, Karsay, Mendoza, Gordon, Rodriguez, Stanton, Sturtze, Quantrill, and Mr. Automatic. Come on, how can you guys compare?

 

 

 

You should never be allowed to speak again.... ever..... Mr.Automatic? how many games did he BLOW against the sox last year?

 

 

and the fact that u put schilling in the same league as brown shows ur stupidity... go post on your own forums and stop talking s*** on ours

[Smithers]

Good article. Only thing I can say is that try not to use "I think" or "I" at all for that matter. Without it the writer sounds much more confident and therefore correct.

 

For example:

 

BEFORE: There are also, however, a handle of great additions to the Boston roster that I predict will more than make up for our losses.

 

OR: There are also, however, a handle of great additions to the Boston roster that will undoubtably make up for losses sustained in the offseason.

 

It's a matter of opinion I guess, just my $00.02

Great Article though

[element1151]

Now that you mention it, I should do that more in my writing also.

 

Thanks for the tip.