Can't fault Theo for taking the risk on Pena when it appeared like we had the SP flexibility to make the move.
The problem with Pena was that he was rushed through the minor leagues and never developed proper defensive and plate discipline abilities. However, at 22 years old Pena hit 26 HR in 364 AB which showed he had the potential to be a 40-50 HR hitter in his prime. Didn't work out, but if he had developed properly he would have been a future middle of the order bat in his prime for an average AL starter.
Well deserved too. Shown good power (18 XBH in 150 AB), good plate discipline (28/21 BB/K), and speed (13-1 SB-CS). Really solid complete player. Good OF in Pawtucket too now with Nava, Kalish, and Reddick.
With Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz (who pitched a game the Red Sox should have won) the Red Sox still got swept so adding Lee would not have done anything unless he pitched a complete game and kept Papelbon from ever getting the ball.
Also Lee is going to make close to or over 100 mil next year on the market while Buchholz will be dirt cheap for the next couple years. Not surprised the Red Sox turned that down in the least.
Clearly no idea involving blowing up Fenway is going to happen, unless the organization is making all these little improvements for a one or two year fix. But someone asked where you could put a new Fenway in the Fens area and that's how.
Yes
Generally people disregard ivy league teams because they normally just aren't that good, but this year in particular there happens to be two very legitimate teams (Cornell and Princeton). Princeton played Cornell extremely well in both games and probably could have made a case for a low-seeded bid in the tournament this year.
Absolute domination by the Big Red against one of the better defenses in college basketball. If the shooting continues to be lights out then I think we have a real good chance vs. Kentucky.
I think it's more of the fact that Westmoreland hasn't played above short season A ball yet. A good campaign in A/A+ will definitely put him in the top 20 probably by mid-season.