Listed below is the 2009 Boston Red Sox report card:
First base
Kevin Youkilis had another solid season at the plate, posting career highs in on-base percentage (.413), slugging (.548) and OPS (.961). Despite playing in just 136 games because of injuries and the six-game suspension in August for charging Detroit’s Rick Porcello, Youkilis hit 27 homers (two off his career high in 2008) and drove in 94 runs. He even stole a career-high seven bases while being named to his second All-Star team. Most of all, Youkilis again proved invaluable as a moving part, playing 78 games at first, 63 at third and even two in the outfield. Grade: A
Second base
Asking Dustin Pedroia to duplicate an MVP season in 2008 was a tall order, but the diminutive second baseman came pretty close, seeing only a precipitous drop in batting average (.296 in 2009, .326 in 2008), while maintaining the rest of his productivity. Pedroia had just two fewer homers and 11 fewer RBIs, but walked 24 more times and stole the same 20 bases.
Grade: B+
This was the biggest area of concern until mid-August, when Alex Gonzalez returned and brought defensive stability, while also showing rare pop at the plate. Before Gonzo, the Red Sox struggled to make ends meet, with Julio Lugo underperforming, Jed Lowrie injured and Nick Green out of position. Green did the best he could, providing some clutch hitting in the early months, but for the fifth year in a row, shortstop remained the Sox’ weakest link.
Grade: C-
Third base
Mike Lowell was clearly limited coming off hip surgery. He could not run, and his defensive range was narrow. For stretches, he still was able to provide offense, especially in late July and August, but he was only able to play in 117 games, and questions remain about his durability heading into 2010.
Grade: C
Catcher
Jason Varitek returned for his 12th full season after a disastrous 2008, and actually got some mileage out his 37-year-old legs, belting 13 homers in the first half. But by the All-Star break, it was clear the captain’s best days were finally behind him. That prompted Theo Epstein to make the biggest move of the season, trading Justin Masterson and prospects to Cleveland for Victor Martinez, who made a huge impact over the final two months, hitting .333 with eight homers and 41 RBIs in 56 games, while helping Clay Buchholz finally realize his potential as his personal catcher.
Grade: B
Left field
Jason Bay was spectacular for the first two months, horrible the next two, then All-Star caliber the final two, adding up to career highs with 36 homers and 119 RBIs, putting him among the league leaders in both categories and making the free agent the most intriguing offseason question mark for the front office. Bay struck out a career high 162 times and had some difficulties playing the Wall in left field at times, but given the market for outfielders this winter, Bay is arguably the best option going forward.
Grade: B+
Jacoby Ellsbury made the most of his first full season in center field, shattering the Red Sox single-season stolen base record with 70, also the major league high. Ellsbury led the American League with 10 triples and drove in 60 runs playing most of his games from the leadoff position. He also played a terrific center field, making several highlight-reel catches. Ellsbury still needs to improve his on-base percentage, but when he is on base, he is a force.
Grade: B+
Right field
Would you believe J.D. Drew set his Red Sox highs with 24 homers and 68 RBIs in 2009? Yes, it’s true, the most unassuming production on the team. Drew is what Drew is, a smooth fielder and on-base machine with decent power and a penchant for injuries. Never flashy, never demonstrative, never going to play 162 games, Drew remains consistent, driving in 64, 64 and 68 runs in his three seasons.
Grade: B-
Designated hitter
David Ortiz would be getting an F if the season ended June 5. Ortiz batted a horrific .198 with one homer and 18 RBIs through April and May. But from June 6 on, Ortiz was among the league leaders with 27 homers and 81 RBIs, raising his final average to .238, earning a four-month A. It was the second year in a row Ortiz couldn’t hit for a long stretch to open the season, but perhaps as he enters a contract year in 2010, he can find some consistency.
Grade: C+
Starting pitching
Josh Beckett and Jon Lester combined to win 32 games, forming one of the top 1-2 tandems in baseball. Beckett looked like a Cy Young candidate until slumping in August. Lester struggled early, then dominated from May 31 on, reaching 200 strikeouts for the first time in his career. The rest of the rotation was a mixed bag. Tim Wakefield was an All-Star after a strong first half, but injured his back during the break and was a nonfactor the rest of the season. Daisuke Matsuzaka was a nonfactor until September because of shoulder problems, while Brad Penny and John Smoltz struggled in a new league and were let go in August. The feel-good story was the development of Clay Buchholz, who finally earned a spot in the rotation in the second half and showed why the organization has been dead set against trading him, winning seven games and pitching brilliantly from mid-August to late September.
Grade: B
Bullpen
Jonathan Papelbon saved 38 games in 41 chances, but was an adventure all season, putting runners on base in the vast majority of his outings and finally blowing up at the worst possible time in Game 3 of the ALDS. Ramon Ramirez, acquired in the Coco Crisp trade, gave the Red Sox two good months to start the season, then regressed. Hideki Okajima bounced back from a rough 2008 with a solid season, while Manny Delcarmen took a step back. Daniel Bard stepped in as a rookie and displayed a 100-mph fastball, making him the heir apparent to Papelbon as closer. The final piece was addition of Billy Wagner in August, giving the Red Sox a second power lefty.
Grade: B
Bench
The bench was a weak link all season, with Rocco Baldelli only healthy enough to play in 62 games and Jed Lowrie missing nearly the entire season with wrist surgery. Nick Green was pressed into starter duty at short, while George Kottaras caught Tim Wakefield until Martinez arrived July 31. Mark Kotsay, Adam LaRoche and Jeff Bailey came and went, and Casey Kotchman finally prevailed as the corner infield reserve.
Grade: C-
Manager
Terry Francona had another challenging season trying to keep egos soothed with too many players slotted into too few positions. But as he did with Ellsbury and Crisp in 2008, Francona found a corner-infield rotation that kept everyone happy, at least publicly. Given the massive holes at shortstop, catcher and starting pitcher over the first four months, Francona did well to keep the team from falling out of postseason contention, even as the Yankees whipped past them for the AL East title.
Grade: B
Overall
The Red Sox won 95 games and made the postseason for the sixth time in seven years. That’s a cause for celebration in most cities, but was greeted with a jaded shrug this October. The team entered the postseason flat and played like it in the three-game sweep to the Angels. But failing to maintain a World Series standard should not be a crime, and given the challenges in the starting rotation after Lester and Beckett, the lack of shortstop production and the steep decline of Varitek, the team was fortunate to do as well as it did. Still, that’s not enough to play in this town, and expectations will remain high going into 2010.
Grade: B
