This needs to be said.

[example1]

Would you transition him to starting or keep him as a swingman.

 

Aceves should get a 2 year extension, and should be a serious contender for the #5 starter spot, if they can't find anyone better.

[example1]

If they Sox find ways to get rid of Crawford/Lackey, the money they would be saving with the departures of Drew and DiceK (next year) would be a wash considering we will be paying a HUGE chunk of both Lackey and Crawfords contracts. LF and RF will take a hit. Maybe Lavarnaway learns LF (hell, Reggie Jefferson, Jose Canseco, Wil Cordero, Manny Ramirez, Brian Daubach, Kevin Millar, Eric Hinske, Kevin Youkilis all did it for a time period.) and Kalish plays RF while Ortiz stays with the team and DH's. Once again, we need to find a SS. Scutaro was nice, but we need to shake this entire thing up. Find another SS, there has got to be a long term solution out there, somewhere.

 

They are not getting rid of Crawford. I think you should probably put that out of your mind at this point.

 

After watching his performance tonight, I am actually heartened by his potential. He's a really dynamic player.

 

Remember, Ellsbury looked completely overmatched for substantial periods of previous seasons too, and Curtis Granderson looked like s*** in his first year in NY. Even really good players can suck.

 

I probably wouldn't sign him again if they had the opportunity to go back in time. I also hate the cost of his contract no matter how good he is. However, I think we're stuck with him.

 

EDIT 1: Hell no you shouldn't add Bard to that list. If you're advocating for Papelbon to stick around, you have to give Bard a chance despite a s***** month. He was really, really good for a long time, has tremendous stuff and pitchers like him don't come around often.

 

EDIT 2: The rest of that list can go, but they shouldn't move guys like Reddick or Lowrie for nothing. At least get good young talent or a decent reliever or something.

[iortiz]

Would you transition him to starting or keep him as a swingman.

 

Well, What about prepare him in the offseason to give him for once and for all the 5th spot. I mean, he has the conditions to make the transition; he still young, has control and command and seems like his arm is healthy.

[a700hitter]

You know I disagree about the GM. As others have said, (I think Jacko put it best) Theo has been at the helm for 2 WS and the best decade in any of our lifetimes. I'm in no hurry to watch him go to the Cubs or anywhere else.

 

Manager, meh... maybe. Coaches... probably. This team needed to be ready to play at the beginning of the season (even an average start and they're sitting at 92-94 wins right now) and they weren't.

 

As for next year, it sounds like we agree on Ortiz. If he takes, say, 8m/yr for two years, he can stick around. Otherwise, I think he's too risky--especially at more years. It isn't his fault, he's had a great year, but it is time to move on.

 

I think Lavarnway would be mostly a DH, but he COULD catch (more valuable than 1B, which is what Ortiz offers) and he's RH. I suspect it is too early to just give him the position, but I think his bat is the real deal.

 

What I think about Kalish is that if he can come back healthy he should be the RF of the future. If he can come back healthy, I would think about making him the CF of the future and trading Ellsbury. He is one of the most valuable pieces on this team and could entice another team to move a pitcher.

 

The biggest problem I see is that there is no good pitching on the market for the forseeable future, and only a handful of elite pitchers on teams that might move them. I think Theo (or the next GM) will need to be really, really aggressive to get one. With Lackey, Dice-K and Buchholz all being question marks, that has to be a top priority IMO.

 

Also, Crawford was brought here to be what Ellsbury has been this year. Move Ells, put Crawford at the top of the lineup, find another 7th hitter, and have a rotation with another ace-caliber pitcher at the top. Seems like the only way to move forward, to me. Of course, I don't even know who that pitcher would be... so that's a non-starter too.

You social workers stick together.

 

I think the starter they should target is CJ Wilson. I wouldn't trade Ellsbury unless they suspect that they will not be able to sign him.

 

There's a lot of work to be done. The bullpen is a shambles except Bard and Paps. Scutaro should stay in a utility role, but we need a starting SS.

[a700hitter]

Well' date=' What about prepare him in the offseason to give him for once and for all the 5th spot. I mean, he has the conditions to make the transition; he still young, has control and command and seems like his arm is healthy.[/quote']I think his time has come and he deserves an opportunity. He's a proven winner.

[example1]

You social workers stick together.

 

I think the starter they should target is CJ Wilson. I wouldn't trade Ellsbury unless they suspect that they will not be able to sign him.

 

There's a lot of work to be done. The bullpen is a shambles except Bard and Paps. Scutaro should stay in a utility role, but we need a starting SS.

 

Why can't Aviles be that utility role? He seems like a better bat, is younger, faster, etc.,?

 

CJ Wilson will also be targeted by NYY, no? Not that that should dissuade them, but it seems unlikely.

 

How about Buehrle? He's not that good, but he has 11 seasons of 200+ IP in a row, and is known as an effecient innings eater who can go and go. He's only 33 years old too. Seems like the kind of fit the Sox could push, especially with high incentives even for 200+ IP of healthy pitching.

[iortiz]

I think his time has come and he deserves an opportunity. He's a proven winner.

 

:thumbsup:

[SCM33]

Why can't Aviles be that utility role? He seems like a better bat, is younger, faster, etc.,?

 

CJ Wilson will also be targeted by NYY, no? Not that that should dissuade them, but it seems unlikely.

 

How about Buehrle? He's not that good, but he has 11 seasons of 200+ IP in a row, and is known as an effecient innings eater who can go and go. He's only 33 years old too. Seems like the kind of fit the Sox could push, especially with high incentives even for 200+ IP of healthy pitching.

 

I agree with Aviles. He can be the utility guy.

 

I think Buehrle is retiring after this year, isnt he?

 

EDIT:NVM, its his last start for CHI, not his career.

[a700hitter]

Why can't Aviles be that utility role? He seems like a better bat, is younger, faster, etc.,?

 

CJ Wilson will also be targeted by NYY, no? Not that that should dissuade them, but it seems unlikely.

 

How about Buehrle? He's not that good, but he has 11 seasons of 200+ IP in a row, and is known as an effecient innings eater who can go and go. He's only 33 years old too. Seems like the kind of fit the Sox could push, especially with high incentives even for 200+ IP of healthy pitching.

Aviles' glove is too shaky. Scutaro can play all 3 positions very competently. You can't expect guys who don't get a lot of PT to always hit, but they must not hurt you with the glove. That's my philosophy on utility guys. Offense is gravy from those guys, but the need to make the plays.

 

Edit: If the Yanks win it all, I don't see them buying a big ticket pitcher. I think they will let it ride with CC, Nova, Burnett, Hughes and the killer Bees.

[example1]

Is he? He's only 32 years old?!?!

[iortiz]

You know I disagree about the GM. As others have said, (I think Jacko put it best) Theo has been at the helm for 2 WS and the best decade in any of our lifetimes. I'm in no hurry to watch him go to the Cubs or anywhere else.

 

Manager, meh... maybe. Coaches... probably. This team needed to be ready to play at the beginning of the season (even an average start and they're sitting at 92-94 wins right now) and they weren't.

 

As for next year, it sounds like we agree on Ortiz. If he takes, say, 8m/yr for two years, he can stick around. Otherwise, I think he's too risky--especially at more years. It isn't his fault, he's had a great year, but it is time to move on.

 

I think Lavarnway would be mostly a DH, but he COULD catch (more valuable than 1B, which is what Ortiz offers) and he's RH. I suspect it is too early to just give him the position, but I think his bat is the real deal.

 

What I think about Kalish is that if he can come back healthy he should be the RF of the future. If he can come back healthy, I would think about making him the CF of the future and trading Ellsbury. He is one of the most valuable pieces on this team and could entice another team to move a pitcher.

 

The biggest problem I see is that there is no good pitching on the market for the forseeable future, and only a handful of elite pitchers on teams that might move them. I think Theo (or the next GM) will need to be really, really aggressive to get one. With Lackey, Dice-K and Buchholz all being question marks, that has to be a top priority IMO.

 

Also, Crawford was brought here to be what Ellsbury has been this year. Move Ells, put Crawford at the top of the lineup, find another 7th hitter, and have a rotation with another ace-caliber pitcher at the top. Seems like the only way to move forward, to me. Of course, I don't even know who that pitcher would be... so that's a non-starter too.

 

You seem to be a great poster E1.

 

In your opinion who should take accountability about this mess (FA/pitching depth/farm issues)? And which measures would you take? Or it is just nobody's fault or simply everything is just fine about these issues.

[example1]

You seem to be a great poster E1.

 

In your opinion who should take accountability about this mess (FA/pitching depth/farm issues)? And which measures would you take? Or it is just nobody's fault or simply everything is just fine about these issues.

 

I think that a GM can take accountability, but just as you don't release an otherwise established quarterback for a few poor performances, you don't get rid of someone who is obviously very talented because you are impulsively frustrated with the direction the team has gone.

 

I think the 2010 offseason was a combination of big spending to improve the team, AND to improve the sellability of the team. In my heart I think Theo was very happy with the Adrian Gonzalez deal, but I just don't believe that he would have selected Crawford as the player he wanted to spend 20m on. I think that was ownership saying "you're going to get another established star and we're going to sell season tickets".

 

Now, they might throw him under the bus for that. As GM he's certainly not in a position to say "no" when Warner and Henry tell him to get someone (and, it should be noted, Warner pledged on WEEI in the early offseason that they were going to make a significant trade and significant FA signing... before Crawford was even rumored). At the same time, the ownership group may know that Theo didn't choose to put an Ellsbury clone in LF to create an overabundance of LHH OFs with Crawford having no obvious spot in the lineup. Crawford's low OBP and patience, combined with only decent power makes me wonder what the plan was for him. I still like him a lot and am happy with him on the team moving forward (don't have much choice) but he doesn't seem like a Theo guy... does he?

 

Basically, I don't think you let a probably HOF caliber FO guy go in his late 30s. It seems like a potential disaster. He has two WS and has populated the rest of the game with his proteges, with likely more to come. You don't let him go because the team shat the bed over a few week period. I actually think the calls for him to be let go are ridiculous, but we can disagree on that.

 

As for accountability, I think Tito might be worthy of some blame. I like the guy personally, and think he's done well, but in terms of being able to shake up the culture of this team a little bit, they could probably do that effectively with the right guy. With the wrong guy it could be disasterous, but I like what I see from Joe Madden and Mike Scioscia and a few other seemingly reasonable managers who play a little bit of small-ball, seem to be good players-managers, and get W's. Of course, the grass is almost always greener, no?

 

I would put this season's blame mostly on the feet of the players. A combination of key injuries like Youkilis and Buchholz, and s***** play from Lackey and Crawford. Lackey in particular has been absolutely terrible.

 

Perhaps the hardest part of all of this is that it potentially squanders the best season Josh Beckett will have for the rest of his career. A good Josh Beckett is a WS winning Josh Beckett.

 

Hopefully he's put it together to be an elite arm at this point, but his success has been fleeting and I hope he's able to keep it going.

[example1]

Also, about the depth issue, also a Theo issue. I just don't decapitate the organization because of it.

 

In previous years, he tried to mitigate this by signing guys like Smoltz, Miller, Penny, Colon, etc., and they ended up being ineffective or hurt and everyone complained about the strategy itself. It seems that Theo can't win for losing... That's the reality of being the GM in Boston, I suppose.

[iortiz]

I think that a GM can take accountability, but just as you don't release an otherwise established quarterback for a few poor performances, you don't get rid of someone who is obviously very talented because you are impulsively frustrated with the direction the team has gone.

 

I think the 2010 offseason was a combination of big spending to improve the team, AND to improve the sellability of the team. In my heart I think Theo was very happy with the Adrian Gonzalez deal, but I just don't believe that he would have selected Crawford as the player he wanted to spend 20m on. I think that was ownership saying "you're going to get another established star and we're going to sell season tickets".

 

Now, they might throw him under the bus for that. As GM he's certainly not in a position to say "no" when Warner and Henry tell him to get someone (and, it should be noted, Warner pledged on WEEI in the early offseason that they were going to make a significant trade and significant FA signing... before Crawford was even rumored). At the same time, the ownership group may know that Theo didn't choose to put an Ellsbury clone in LF to create an overabundance of LHH OFs with Crawford having no obvious spot in the lineup. Crawford's low OBP and patience, combined with only decent power makes me wonder what the plan was for him. I still like him a lot and am happy with him on the team moving forward (don't have much choice) but he doesn't seem like a Theo guy... does he?

 

Basically, I don't think you let a probably HOF caliber FO guy go in his late 30s. It seems like a potential disaster. He has two WS and has populated the rest of the game with his proteges, with likely more to come. You don't let him go because the team shat the bed over a few week period. I actually think the calls for him to be let go are ridiculous, but we can disagree on that.

 

As for accountability, I think Tito might be worthy of some blame. I like the guy personally, and think he's done well, but in terms of being able to shake up the culture of this team a little bit, they could probably do that effectively with the right guy. With the wrong guy it could be disasterous, but I like what I see from Joe Madden and Mike Scioscia and a few other seemingly reasonable managers who play a little bit of small-ball, seem to be good players-managers, and get W's. Of course, the grass is almost always greener, no?

 

I would put this season's blame mostly on the feet of the players. A combination of key injuries like Youkilis and Buchholz, and s***** play from Lackey and Crawford. Lackey in particular has been absolutely terrible.

 

Perhaps the hardest part of all of this is that it potentially squanders the best season Josh Beckett will have for the rest of his career. A good Josh Beckett is a WS winning Josh Beckett.

 

Hopefully he's put it together to be an elite arm at this point, but his success has been fleeting and I hope he's able to keep it going.

 

This.

 

I don't doubt about his talent and all he has achieved here, but IMO you can't live in the past. The signs are there. Cycles come and go. Even if we make the POs and if we go early like in 2009 vs LAA, this could represent a 3 year failure in a row. The outcome-curve seems to go south way each coming year and the mess is getting bigger and bigger as well. I think that you don't buy that crap that some around here say "without Theo this team is done". What else is needed to happen in order to look into another horizon? What? another worthless 100 MUSD. I refuse to that. I think that Theo and Tito are plenty in a comfort state last years, I don't see hungry on them anymore, but that's me.

 

Nevertheless, I respect your opinion, really.

[example1]

This.

 

I don't doubt about his talent and all he has achieved here, but IMO you can't live in the past. The signs are there. Cycles come and go. Even if we make the POs and if we go early like in 2009 vs LAA, this could represent a 3 year failure in a row. The outcome-curve seems to go south way each coming year and the mess is getting bigger and bigger as well. I think that you don't buy that crap that some around here say "without Theo this team is done". What else is needed to happen in order to look into another horizon? What? another worthless 100 MUSD. I refuse to that. I think that Theo and Tito are plenty in a comfort state last years, I don't see hungry on them anymore, but that's me.

 

Nevertheless, I respect your opinion, really.

 

I just don't have any way of knowing how hungry Theo is or isn't lately. I don't have the fortune of knowing him personally to make a claim like that. I bet you would have thought he was pretty hungry if this team had 100 wins and was competing for the best record in the league. That makes me think it isn't hunger you are really measuring but results, which is fair but different. I'm willing to bet that Theo is losing sleep over these results just like Tito because they actually care. I don't think they are complacent they are just in a tough spot right now.

[a700hitter]

I don't think the organization has improved itself at any level over the last three years. I think it has somewhat deteriorated. There really is little if any in the way of major league talent in the farm system. Those that are ready are far from stars or top players at their positions.

 

On the major league roster, in the past offseason, they spent a load of money essentially replacing VMart and Beltre with AGon and Crawford. In the end that swap probably added very little offensively (AGon's awesomeness has been neutralized by Crawford's suckiness), and defensively we got weaker at 3B. Youk's recent serious injury issues have also been a huge factor in the team's failure during the last 2 years. He has an nonathletic body, so maybe he is breaking down earlier than other players.

 

I think it is time for a change of direction in the FO. The organization has been going in the wrong direction over the last 3 seasons. There will be life after Theo. E1, don't be worried that Theo will take your social workers job. He doesn't have your experience.

[SoxSport]

Who's the bench coach? Hale? The bench coach will go, for sure. This team has had two poor starts in a row. They miss that guy, Mills, who went to Houston. He must have been the discipline in spring training.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

SCM Crawford will not go anywhere. It's too eary to give up on him anyways. He might have not performed the way he did in Tampa but I still believe he can live up to that potential player or close to it. You're to quick to pull the plug. I'd rather have him here then killing us when we play the Rays. f*** what he said in an interview not all players are perfect. I remember that Beckett incident about your friend getting yelled at for not taking the terp off the field. You can't want players out of Boston because of how they act.

[example1]

I don't think the organization has improved itself at any level over the last three years. I think it has somewhat deteriorated. There really is little if any in the way of major league talent in the farm system. Those that are ready are far from stars or top players at their positions.

 

On the major league roster, in the past offseason, they spent a load of money essentially replacing VMart and Beltre with AGon and Crawford. In the end that swap probably added very little offensively (AGon's awesomeness has been neutralized by Crawford's suckiness), and defensively we got weaker at 3B. Youk's recent serious injury issues have also been a huge factor in the team's failure during the last 2 years. He has an nonathletic body, so maybe he is breaking down earlier than other players.

 

I think it is time for a change of direction in the FO. The organization has been going in the wrong direction over the last 3 seasons. There will be life after Theo. E1, don't be worried that Theo will take your social workers job. He doesn't have your experience.

 

You don't think they've improved? That's laughable. The 2011 team was on pace to put up huge numbers and slowed down the last month of the season. They have guys who can win GG and be all stars at multiple positions and aren't super old, as far as age goes.

 

The results this season are much more a blip on the radar than a patented failure. They added a cornerstone offensive and defensive player (basically a Teixeira, maybe better) and a guy in his prime who is a multi-time all star to replace Bay.

 

Let's check in about whether or not Gonzalez and Crawford were good additions in a few years.

[SoxSport]

SCM Crawford will not go anywhere. It's too eary to give up on him anyways. He might have not performed the way he did in Tampa but I still believe he can live up to that potential player or close to it. You're to quick to pull the plug. I'd rather have him here then killing us when we play the Rays. f*** what he said in an interview not all players are perfect. I remember that Beckett incident about your friend getting yelled at for not taking the terp off the field. You can't want players out of Boston because of how they act.

 

Guys like Crawford and Lackey are undealable--underperformers with big contracts.

That's the killer signing free agents. The contracts are guaranteed in MLB.

 

I don't pay much attention to those media quotes. They are most often taken out of context--in some cases, deliberately, to create or heighten conflict.

[SoxSport]

I don't think the organization has improved itself at any level over the last three years. I think it has somewhat deteriorated. There really is little if any in the way of major league talent in the farm system. Those that are ready are far from stars or top players at their positions.

 

 

The front office has lost a few key members to other teams the past few years. Also, the bench coach, Brad Mills, the last two years. These losses may have affected the team more than meets the eye.

 

You can't expect good teams that are consistently near the bottom in draft picks to be able to draft as well as bad teams. The Rays, for example, are now reaping the benefits in their farm system of drafting high for a long time. Also, KC, Cleveland and a few other teams.

[iortiz]

I just don't have any way of knowing how hungry Theo is or isn't lately. I don't have the fortune of knowing him personally to make a claim like that. I bet you would have thought he was pretty hungry if this team had 100 wins and was competing for the best record in the league. That makes me think it isn't hunger you are really measuring but results' date=' which is fair but different. I'm willing to bet that Theo is losing sleep over these results just like Tito because they actually care. I don't think they are complacent they are just in a tough spot right now.[/quote']

 

About the hunger thing it's just a personal perception, that's all. The tendency/results/signs of the last 3 years make me think that, but again, it is just a perception; nevertheless the hard-data (last 3 years) is there, and you can't hide 'em anymore(FA/pitching-depth/farm system)

 

Hell, I would like to see Theo in an organization like TB or KC where the resources are far to be as in Boston.

 

But regarding to my question, what else you need to see in order to make a move ? More worthless money spent? Another no-go to the POs? Another Lackey? Another failure at the pitching depth? What?

 

All these issues/signs/tendencies are not enough stuff to you?

 

IMO, I think that we would have seen enough if we don't make the POs or just make a terrible paper once there. In the end, DO NOT FORGET, make the POs is not an achievement but a must to this organization and especially to this 2011 Red Sox.

[yankees228]

I totally understand the frustration ... but I just want to make one point. To say with such certainty that these players and coaches don't care, which has been a common sentiment shared in a few places on this board, is pretty ridiculous.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Guys like Crawford and Lackey are undealable--underperformers with big contracts.

That's the killer signing free agents. The contracts are guaranteed in MLB.

 

I don't pay much attention to those media quotes. They are most often taken out of context--in some cases, deliberately, to create or heighten conflict.

 

Crawford has time to turn it around. No way he keeps this up. I've seen great player suck ass in their first year then become a valuable piece to the team. It's too early which is why those labeling him as a bust will look pretty damn stupid when he turns it on and plays like he did with the Rays.

[iortiz]

Guys like Crawford and Lackey are undealable--underperformers with big contracts.

That's the killer signing free agents. The contracts are guaranteed in MLB.

 

I don't pay much attention to those media quotes. They are most often taken out of context--in some cases, deliberately, to create or heighten conflict.

 

Exactly. And that is clogging our future in so many ways and has became a signature (modus operandi) of this FO.

 

Hell, Now this organization has to pray in order to Ms. Crawford and Ms. Lackey perform as they used to and in the meantime this organization has to handle their clown and shameless attitudes, unacceptable.

[iortiz]

I totally understand the frustration ... but I just want to make one point. To say with such certainty that these players and coaches don't care' date=' which has been a common sentiment shared in a few places on this board, is pretty ridiculous.[/quote']

 

Talking by myself, sure, maybe my perception is arguably wrong; we'll never know, though.

 

But the true is that those things happen at any corporation as well. When a employee finds his/her comfort state he/she doesn't care about the things as he/she used to care, especially when everything comes easier than other places and you realize that you have plenty access to the money, players, media, etc. That's my point.

[a700hitter]

But regarding to my question' date=' what else you need to see in order to make a move ? More worthless money spent? Another no-go to the POs? Another Lackey? Another failure at the pitching depth? What?[/quote']For me, the early playoff exit in 2009 and back to back years without a post season will be enough. In those 3 years they spent approximately $480 - $500 million in payroll. That is a huge record of failure. Anything short of the team dying in an plane crash or some other cataclysmic event, there are no excuses. Injuries are not an excuse. s*** happens is not an excuse. There are no excuses for 3 years of failure when you have spent almost half a billion dollars on payroll over that time.

 

People here tell me that I should never criticize this FO, because I had never seen a World Championship before they came on the scene. I don't believe in free rides. The 2004 Championship team was significantly built by the prior administration. This FO gets the credit, but they did not do all of the building of that team. If this 2011 team collapses, it will be of a magnitude that I have never seen in 45 seasons of being a Sox fan. With the size of this team's budget, that is quite an indictment.

[iortiz]

I don't think the organization has improved itself at any level over the last three years. I think it has somewhat deteriorated. There really is little if any in the way of major league talent in the farm system. Those that are ready are far from stars or top players at their positions.

 

On the major league roster, in the past offseason, they spent a load of money essentially replacing VMart and Beltre with AGon and Crawford. In the end that swap probably added very little offensively (AGon's awesomeness has been neutralized by Crawford's suckiness), and defensively we got weaker at 3B. Youk's recent serious injury issues have also been a huge factor in the team's failure during the last 2 years. He has an nonathletic body, so maybe he is breaking down earlier than other players.

 

I think it is time for a change of direction in the FO. The organization has been going in the wrong direction over the last 3 seasons. There will be life after Theo. E1, don't be worried that Theo will take your social workers job. He doesn't have your experience.

 

+1

 

Again the signs are there. This organization needs to be shacked, and soon.

[iortiz]

For me, the early playoff exit in 2009 and back to back years without a post season will be enough. In those 3 years they spent approximately $480 - $500 million in payroll. That is a huge record of failure. Anything short of the team dying in an plane crash or some other cataclysmic event, there are no excuses. Injuries are not an excuse. s*** happens is not an excuse. There are no excuses for 3 years of failure when you have spent almost half a billion dollars on payroll over that time.

 

People here tell me that I should never criticize this FO, because I had never seen a World Championship before they came on the scene. I don't believe in free rides. The 2004 Championship team was significantly built by the prior administration. This FO gets the credit, but they did not do all of the building of that team. If this 2011 team collapses, it will be of a magnitude that I have never seen in 45 seasons of being a Sox fan. With the size of this team's budget, that is quite an indictment.

 

And certainly lucky is not a excuse as well.

 

Damn, 500 million US dollars, huh? Just wow.

[TylerD]

I can somewhat see what the original poster is saying in that I hate when ppl talk nothing but stats. I do agree people look way to into stats and then base a player or a team off of those stats. But at the same time I think its going a little far to say this isn't the Boston Red Sox. Its just a bunch of guys wearing the jerseys..... If we make the playoffs (which we should) that is still an amazing thing to do in the MLB especially in our division with Tampa and the Yankees. Right now I don't even want to get into why the Red Sox are struggling so bad, but all I know is they control their own destiny. They are in a playoff spot right now and this team is known to be streaky. If they make the playoffs they will turn everything on full blast. I don't blame anyone for being upset with the team right now, but to say this isn't the real Red Sox is a little harsh.