His production in Boston has just about been right in line with what he's done over his career. Is it Drew's fault that his salary is what it is or is it the FO's fault? They paid all-star money for a guy who isn't an all-star.
Pedroia can hit anywhere in the lineup, its the biggest reason he's the reigning MVP. He will hit out of the leadoff spot, no worries there. Drew is doing fantastic where he is and so are Ellsbury and Ortiz. Don't mess with any of that.
I think people for the most part made up their minds about Drew the day the contract was signed and the pitiful .423 SLG he had in 2007. Boston fans above all like guys to appear to go all out and wear their hearts on their sleeve and if fans stepped back and looked at Drew's numbers during his tenure here without putting a face or name on the numbers, they'd see a pretty damn solid RFer.
Papelbon doesn't have an injury excuse to fall back on. And honestly, do you really believe Papelbon is suffering a drastic regression in control or do you believe it's an anomaly that will rectify itself?