With that in mind, I want to thank you for the first series of questions dropped into the mailbag. We will do this every Wednesday throughout spring training, the regular season and next offseason, covering all the ebbs and flows of another Red Sox campaign. If you happened to submit a question that wasn’t answered, keep them coming. We’ll have room for plenty of responses.
As always, trust the Twitter, which will be providing real-time updates from Fort Myers beginning next weekend. Until then, here is our first question-and-answer session.
1. If Josh Beckett starts off the year with the same struggles of last season, is it possible Beckett could be removed from the rotation for a lengthy period of time despite the contract extension he got last season?
–Matt
The thing with Beckett’s struggles last year is that they were largely attributable to issues with his back. They became too much to bear in May and he was shut down for more than two months, after which he returned to go 5-5 with a 4.94 ERA.
As bad as those numbers are for a guy like Beckett, he would have to be much worse, or be hurt again, to be removed from the rotation. That has a little to do with the extension, but more to do with the team’s options. Obviously, Tim Wakefield would take the spot of anyone thrust from the rotation, but subbing him in for a struggling Beckett won’t solve much. As long as Beckett is healthy, he’ll be given every opportunity to work through any problems he may be having. He’s been working out vigorously this offseason and should be rather motivated to return to form.
Manager Terry Francona also hinted this week that Beckett’s attempt to mix in a cutter more often didn’t work, and the staff hopes the righty keeps things simple in 2011.
2. Will we see more of Jed Lowrie if he stays healthy?
–Adam
Lowrie will definitely be a vital component to this team as long as he is healthy. He showed he can perform well in an everyday role at the end of last season, just as he did in 2008. However, the Red Sox see him as a super utility player who can play all four infield positions. That alone should give him a start or two a week, and the fact that he can hit from both sides of the plate will make him a very valuable piece off the bench.
That said, if Marco Scutaro struggles in any way at the plate or with the throws that he was unable to make last year due to shoulder issues, a timeshare at shortstop could be in order. Lowrie murders left-handers, so giving him those starts is one way to keep him fresh.
If 2010 taught us anything it is that injuries can come at all times and in every way imaginable. Francona said last month that Lowrie may "save" the Red Sox at some point this year, implying that an injury very well might occur and Lowrie will become a full-time player once again.
3. Will Ryan Kalish begin the year in Pawtucket or Boston? Could Drew or Cameron retire before spring training? Shouldn't Drew move to LF and Crawford take RF? Seems a waste of talent for him to stand behind SS and play rebounds off the monster.
–Dwestemeier
That’s a loaded run of outfield questions, and worth addressing. First of all, Kalish will almost certainly start his season in Pawtucket. There are five good outfielders slotted for the major league team, and general manager Theo Epstein is steadfast in his desire to get a full season of Triple-A at-bats for his position players. That would require at least a half-season in Pawtucket for Kalish.
Even if the Sox need an emergency outfielder due to an injury, chances are it won’t be Kalish that is called up. They won’t want him sharing time in the majors when he can be playing every day and refining his game in the minors. As it stands, there is great depth and flexibility with Mike Cameron and Darnell McDonald, two guys who can play all three outfield positions if needed.
Neither Drew nor Cameron is going to retire before the season begins. They are key parts of the 2011 Red Sox, barring a last-minute trade. Perhaps one might announce at some point that it is their last year in the majors. That’s possible. Both are entering the final years of their Red Sox contracts. Chances are they will move on from Boston after this season, but with $14 million for Drew and $7.25 million for Cameron, they have plenty of reason to play in 2011. Additionally, both will be motivated by down seasons.
Finally, swapping Drew and Crawford makes no sense at all (I’m sensing a Drew hater in our midst). For one, Drew has mastered the tricky right field in Fenway Park. He is a very good defensive player, especially at home. Crawford has done the same in left, winning a Gold Glove there last season.
Also, there is this presumption out there that left field at Fenway can be played by anyone with a glove and a hand on which to put it. Sure, it is smaller than most other left fields, but it, too, is very quirky and the Green Monster has made several visiting players look pretty bad out there. Heck, it’s made several Red Sox players look bad. If you caught any of the Jeremy Hermida era you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Crawford has played dozens of games at Fenway and will know how to play those caroms as well as anyone. We may someday call him the best defensive left fielder in team history.
4. After this year's dodging of arbitration again with Papelbon, has Theo's group indicated a possible scenario where they might offer a multiyear contract to the closer? If he is able to get 30-plus saves again this season, he will have effectively priced himself out of Boston.
–Pedro of San Clemente
This is an incredibly intriguing season for Papelbon. Not only was he rumored to be on the trading block this winter, he also saw the Red Sox bring in another closer-type in Bobby Jenks, giving the team two options with Jenks and Daniel Bard to finish games if Papelbon falters. Additionally, if Papelbon does test the free agent waters next winter, and it appears he will, there will be plenty of competition on the market — as many as 15 closers could be free agents.
If you’re one to read the writing on the wall, this will be Papelbon’s last year in a Red Sox uniform. The $12 million agreement for 2011 sets a bottom line and with a reasonably good year he will look for that figure, or more, over several years once he becomes a free agent at the age of 31.
With candidates to replace him in Jenks and Bard, it remains to be seen whether Boston would go that extra mile.
Then again, fans are a bit sour on Papelbon right now because of an off year. If he rebounds to look like he has in the past, and Jenks and Bard do their thing, it might be hard for the Red Sox to break up what could be a dominant back end of the bullpen. So much of it will depend on what kind of year Papelbon has.
5. Will there be a place for Tim Wakefield on the Red Sox roster? Hard to imagine the Sox without the veteran knuckler but I just don't see a spot for him.
–EL
Tim Wakefield will have a role very similar to the one he had last year, although he won’t be starting the year in the rotation like he did in 2010. The veteran will serve as a long man out of the bullpen and will be the first guy called upon if and when somebody goes down with injury. That’s a near-certainty, so you will see Wake get a few starts this year.
Last season was a difficult one for Wakefield. He wasn’t entirely pleased with how the team moved him around when he figured he would have a chance to remain a starter. Still, he gave the Red Sox 140 innings in 32 games (19 starts). He has indicated he will perform better knowing ahead of time what his role will be.
6. Are we going to see Wake put in a position to get the needed wins to best Clemens?
–Ed
Good to see some Wakefield fans interested in his upcoming season. Presumably, Ed, you are referring to the franchise record for wins that Roger Clemens shares with Cy Young. Both won 192 games in a Red Sox uniform. Wakefield enters with 179, needing 13 to tie. It will be a stretch to see it happen if the knuckleballer spends the year in the bullpen. However, if a starter suffers a major injury and Wakefield gives us one last good run, perhaps he’ll flirt with that figure. If I was a betting man, I’d shy away from that one.
Wakefield already has the franchise record for innings pitched and is just 47 strikeouts shy of joining Clemens as the only pitchers to record 2,000 in a Red Sox uniform.
To submit a question to Tony Lee for future mailbags, click here.
