Doesn’t the new year have to arrive before it’s time to wait until next year?
Pitchers and catchers don’t report for more than eight weeks. Scott Boras hasn’t even gotten warmed up yet. Nevertheless, much of the talk in New England centers around either building bridges or jumping off them. All of a sudden, phrases like "low expectations" and "lost cause" are creeping into conversations about the Red Sox.
Some people are making it sound like the team’s mission statements were written by Dilbert:
- It is our mission to completely utilize mission-critical opportunities to stay competitive in the AL East.
- Our mission is to proactively coordinate emerging sources in order to be a dynamic pennant contender.
- We have committed to assertively integrate high-quality infrastructures to exceed fan expectations.
This isn’t Pittsburgh or Kansas City (no offense), where losing seasons pile up like empty beer cans in a fraternity house.
This is Boston, home of the Red Sox, two years removed from a World Series win. We’re not talking about a team that would have trouble against the Sisters of Mercy. This is a team that won 95 games last season, and wasn’t at full strength for most of the year.
There’s a long way to go this offseason.
Yes, seeing Mike Lowell leave is sad, but give Max Ramirez a chance.
Boof Bonser isn’t Roy Halladay, but the 28-year-old right-hander is a former first-round draft pick.
Fabio Castro and Ramon Ramirez aren’t Hall of Famers, but they add depth to the farm system.
Scott Atchison couldn’t get picked out of a police lineup, but he could be a reliable relief option for Terry Francona.
Marco Scutaro is much more than a utility player.
And Jeremy Hermida has tremendous upside.
Not every move has to be a "Wow" move. Just because you’ve never heard of a player or seen him play doesn’t mean he can’t play.
Now is not the time to start judging a book by its cover. The Red Sox are not a finished product, and the front office isn’t done working. Like every team in the majors, they are operating on a budget, but they also have a pretty good foundation.
Do you think Dustin Pedroia is going to concede next season to the Yankees?
Do you think Kevin Youkilis will be content to roll over for the pinstripes?
Are you worried about a healthy rotation comprised of Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield?
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Did Victor Martinez forget how to hit?
Did Jacoby Ellsbury become slow?
Isn’t David Ortiz due?
It’s way too early to panic.
Negativity sells, but don’t buy into it. Just because the Red Sox haven’t added any stars to their roster doesn’t mean they won’t, nor does it mean they will become the Nationals overnight.
So be patient. When Opening Day against the Yankees comes next April 5 at Fenway, the Red Sox will boast a starting lineup that 29 other teams wouldn’t mind having.