How bad are the Red Sox? The 1966 team had more mashers
The 2022 Boston Red Sox (11-20 at this point, with today, Thursday, May 12th an off day) are off to the team's worst start since 1966. But even that team, which finished a half-game out of the cellar in a 10-team American League in the days before divisions and playoffs, had more big boppers than this team.
Tony Conigliaro, in his third year, led the team with 28 homers, while rookie George Scott, a far superior defensive first baseman to Bobby Dalbec, hit 27 of his famous "taters" --- Scott's term for homers. In addition, third baseman Joe Foy added 15 homers, shortstop Rico Petrocelli hit 18 and Carl Yastrzemski hit 16.
This year's Sox TEAM has 18 homers through May 12.
Now, that's pitiful!!!
The Red Sox would be taking a lot more heat from the fans and the media for their awful start if it weren't for the playoff runs of the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins.
Tony Conigliaro, in his third year, led the team with 28 homers, while rookie George Scott, a far superior defensive first baseman to Bobby Dalbec, hit 27 of his famous "taters" --- Scott's term for homers. In addition, third baseman Joe Foy added 15 homers, shortstop Rico Petrocelli hit 18 and Carl Yastrzemski hit 16.
This year's Sox TEAM has 18 homers through May 12.
Now, that's pitiful!!!
The Red Sox would be taking a lot more heat from the fans and the media for their awful start if it weren't for the playoff runs of the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins.
But with the Bruins on the brink of elimination tonight (Thursday) at home against the Carolina Hurricanes --- and with the Celtics down 3-2 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Milwaukee Bucks --- the spotlight might soon be shining full glare on the Red Sox' horrible start.
Here are nine observations on the Sox. I won't do 10 because the Red Sox are, at this writing, 0-6 in extra inning games. Oy vey!
9. First baseman Bobby Dalbec should be in AAA. Dalbec must have options and he has to be sent down now to work out his mechanics. It's tiring seeing Dalbec strike out or pop up in critical times. And a Major Leaguer can't bat .159 and stay in the Majors, which he was batting a few days ago.
8. Dalbec's defense has gone downhill, too. In one game in April, when the Sox and Tampa Bay took a scoreless game into the 10th, Dalbec actually put the Sox ahead in the top of 10th, but helped give it away in the bottom of the frame, when, with two outs, he failed to handle a poor throw from second baseman Trevor Story. Story got the error, but the throw was one that good defensive first basemen make.
7. Speaking of Story, he's to this point in the running for one of the worst free-agent signings in decades. He's no Carl Crawford, but he could be closer to Pablo Sandoval. And even the angry-all-the-time Adrian Gonzalez had one good year at the plate, although he stopped hitting homers after participating in the 2011 Home Run Derby at the All-Star game. (Haven't heard Story complain about playing Sunday night games, like Gonzalez did, but "forgetting" to talk to the media after a recent game might be fine in Colorado, but it's not the best way to make friends in Boston.)
6. Trading Hunter Renfroe still makes little sense, because the Sox haven't come close to making up for the 30 dingers that Renfroe hit in the regular season last year. I get it that his defense wasn't as good as advertised --- and I've always been a fan of Jackie Bradley Jr.'s defensive skills --- but the absence of his power is really hurting this year's team.
5. This team is starting to remind me of the 2013 team in 2014. Many cheaper free agents had career years in 2013 only to come back down to Earth in 2014. This year, with Renfroe's absence, the following spots in the lineup are sure outs:
Right field (except for Bradley's recent spurt), center field (Kiki Hernandez is a shadow of himself offensively this year), left field (after a fast start, Alex Verdugo is struggling at the plate), second base (Trevor Story is missing Denver's rarified air as he bats below the Mendoza line) and Dalbec is totally pitiful and Franchy Cordero, the latest Red Sox 4A player, hasn't been much better, either, at first base. And Christian Arroyo in right has been an adventure defensively and his offense hasn't made up for his defensive shortcomings.
4. The bullpen has been, to put it mildly, a colossal disappointment. They have the most blown saves in the Major Leagues (9 out of 14 attempts) and there's no consistency. Former lights-out closer Matt Barnes' problems are partially to blame, but manager Alex Cora can't rely on anyone to close out a game.
3. Get a closer, pronto. Closer by committee didn't work as an approach in 2003 --- the Sox traded Shea Hillebrand for Byun- Hyun Kim in May of that year because they needed a closer. Shame on Sox baseball boss Chaim Bloom for not getting an established closer or another top-notch relief pitcher. Robles and Diekman are borderline set-up men; they've failed as closers.
2. Bloom also should have signed more starters than Michael Wacha and Rich Hill. Both, and especially Wacha, have been pleasant surprises, but Wacha has been hurt after a real solid start and Hill got COVID. When Tanner Houck was ruled out of the Toronto series over his non-vaccinated status, his selfish choice forced Garrett Whitlock into starting, a move that cost the bullpen dearly. And the fact that Chris Sale might not return until July has only exacerbated the situation.
2A. Return Whitlock to his two-inning weapon role out of the bullpen. He's being wasted as a starter.
1. The Sox season could be over by Memorial Day unless the offense wakes up and scores more than 2-3 runs a game -- and unless the bullpen is able to hold onto leads.
But, hey, Red Sox fans, don't worry, because owner John Henry is no doubt ecstatic that the Sox are saving money.
All kidding aside, the Sox are NOT Tampa Bay North yet, but it's clear that the management team didn't get the team properly prepared for the season.
Here are nine observations on the Sox. I won't do 10 because the Red Sox are, at this writing, 0-6 in extra inning games. Oy vey!
9. First baseman Bobby Dalbec should be in AAA. Dalbec must have options and he has to be sent down now to work out his mechanics. It's tiring seeing Dalbec strike out or pop up in critical times. And a Major Leaguer can't bat .159 and stay in the Majors, which he was batting a few days ago.
8. Dalbec's defense has gone downhill, too. In one game in April, when the Sox and Tampa Bay took a scoreless game into the 10th, Dalbec actually put the Sox ahead in the top of 10th, but helped give it away in the bottom of the frame, when, with two outs, he failed to handle a poor throw from second baseman Trevor Story. Story got the error, but the throw was one that good defensive first basemen make.
7. Speaking of Story, he's to this point in the running for one of the worst free-agent signings in decades. He's no Carl Crawford, but he could be closer to Pablo Sandoval. And even the angry-all-the-time Adrian Gonzalez had one good year at the plate, although he stopped hitting homers after participating in the 2011 Home Run Derby at the All-Star game. (Haven't heard Story complain about playing Sunday night games, like Gonzalez did, but "forgetting" to talk to the media after a recent game might be fine in Colorado, but it's not the best way to make friends in Boston.)
6. Trading Hunter Renfroe still makes little sense, because the Sox haven't come close to making up for the 30 dingers that Renfroe hit in the regular season last year. I get it that his defense wasn't as good as advertised --- and I've always been a fan of Jackie Bradley Jr.'s defensive skills --- but the absence of his power is really hurting this year's team.
5. This team is starting to remind me of the 2013 team in 2014. Many cheaper free agents had career years in 2013 only to come back down to Earth in 2014. This year, with Renfroe's absence, the following spots in the lineup are sure outs:
Right field (except for Bradley's recent spurt), center field (Kiki Hernandez is a shadow of himself offensively this year), left field (after a fast start, Alex Verdugo is struggling at the plate), second base (Trevor Story is missing Denver's rarified air as he bats below the Mendoza line) and Dalbec is totally pitiful and Franchy Cordero, the latest Red Sox 4A player, hasn't been much better, either, at first base. And Christian Arroyo in right has been an adventure defensively and his offense hasn't made up for his defensive shortcomings.
4. The bullpen has been, to put it mildly, a colossal disappointment. They have the most blown saves in the Major Leagues (9 out of 14 attempts) and there's no consistency. Former lights-out closer Matt Barnes' problems are partially to blame, but manager Alex Cora can't rely on anyone to close out a game.
3. Get a closer, pronto. Closer by committee didn't work as an approach in 2003 --- the Sox traded Shea Hillebrand for Byun- Hyun Kim in May of that year because they needed a closer. Shame on Sox baseball boss Chaim Bloom for not getting an established closer or another top-notch relief pitcher. Robles and Diekman are borderline set-up men; they've failed as closers.
2. Bloom also should have signed more starters than Michael Wacha and Rich Hill. Both, and especially Wacha, have been pleasant surprises, but Wacha has been hurt after a real solid start and Hill got COVID. When Tanner Houck was ruled out of the Toronto series over his non-vaccinated status, his selfish choice forced Garrett Whitlock into starting, a move that cost the bullpen dearly. And the fact that Chris Sale might not return until July has only exacerbated the situation.
2A. Return Whitlock to his two-inning weapon role out of the bullpen. He's being wasted as a starter.
1. The Sox season could be over by Memorial Day unless the offense wakes up and scores more than 2-3 runs a game -- and unless the bullpen is able to hold onto leads.
But, hey, Red Sox fans, don't worry, because owner John Henry is no doubt ecstatic that the Sox are saving money.
All kidding aside, the Sox are NOT Tampa Bay North yet, but it's clear that the management team didn't get the team properly prepared for the season.
We needed a good-hitting first baseman, better bullpen help and a much stronger hitting outfielder. Unless they're going to call up Jaren Duran and Tristan Casas soon, there's no excuse for not signing established Major Leaguers for those positions.
Go Celtics!
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