Then again, that probably would not go over well in the media and with the fans, who expect a certain degree of professionalism. That's not to say there is no possible way to feel a bit better about all the sprains and broken bones. Because of the injuries and the rate at which they came, the club was forced to find solutions to problems on an everyday basis, one of a handful of injury-related scenarios which might yield some positives down the road.
Here are five reasons to feel good about the injuries which enveloped Boston this season:
1. Come March, It's All Systems Go
Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron, the four key players whose seasons ended prematurely due to injury, each expect to resume baseball activities soon and should be close to 100 percent by the time Dec. 1 rolls around. That's the date that most players in the system begin to increase their workouts in preparation for the trip to Florida, and it's a deadline the injured Sox players should have no problem meeting.
Had the issues surrounding Youkilis' thumb or Pedroia's foot lingered into the winter, there would be cause for concern. Perhaps it would lead to a slow start. That is not the case here and aside from Cameron, none of the injured players are on the downsides of their career.
General manager Theo Epstein addressed this scenario after the season ended, implying in very simple terms that there will be no leftovers on the plate.
"Injuries that don't have to carry over to the next year are less difficult to deal with," Epstein said.
2. Hey You, I Know You, I Know You
Darnell McDonald was little more than a 30-something minor leaguer who had failed to live up to his first-round draft status when he started the season in Pawtucket. After a smashing debut with the team in April he became a fixture in the clubhouse and one of the more versatile performers on a club that valued versatility in 2010.
The yearlong consistency showed that McDonald's early success was not just an aberration. As Terry Francona has said many times, McDonald is now a major leaguer, and that career could continue with the Red Sox in the form of a fourth outfielder.
Just imagine if a few injuries did not occur and McDonald remained a 30-something minor leaguer. Not only would Boston be robbed of one of the best moments of the season but it might not have as much to choose from when searching for outfield depth this offseason.
As 2010 showed us, you can never have too many extra outfielders.
3. Are We There Yet?
Pedroia and Youkilis, and to a lesser degree Ellsbury, are noted as true gamers filled with the grit, determination and hustle that has become their calling card. So what happens when players like that lose their outlet? Or better yet, what will happen when they find that outlet once again?
It's safe to say that the injured players are itching to get going once again and will treat this offseason with more drive than they ever have before. A motivated Pedroia, Youkilis and Ellsbury could transform the club in 2011.
Heck, it can't hurt — no pun intended.
4. Here to Stay
As mentioned earlier, the injuries are not expected to linger into next season, but if they did, there is comfort knowing that those affected are contractually stable. Imagine if Victor Martinez was shut down in August. Would the organization be comfortable negotiating with an older catcher whose season ended early? The same goes for Adrian Beltre and David Ortiz, the other big-name players that have to hit the negotiating table.
While heading into the offseason healthy is important for those potential free agents, it helps the front office as well as there is no degree of uncertainty.
One would not wish season-ending injuries on anyone, but at least they struck those we know are coming back and coming back healthy. The club will bargain with the others without ambiguity.
5. There's No Game Today
Remember that series in San Francisco in June? Pedroia breaks his foot on a Friday. Clay Buchholz pulls up lame running the bases on Saturday. And Martinez breaks a thumb on Sunday.
It was a maelstrom of malady that expanded the disabled list and preceded a 7-10 stretch that essentially sunk the Sox.
Well, there will be no lost weekends for at least five months. There will be no wins in that span, but at least there will be no losses, both in the standings and on the active roster.
