Current State of the Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are arguably the most talented team in the MLB. But why are they not being considered as real World Series' threats? They sure do have the talent with All-stars Sale, Betts, Kimbrel, as well as former All-Stars in Rick Porcello (also last year's AL CY Young winner), David Price, Xander Bogaerts. They have a World Series winning manager in John Farrell, and a proven GM in Dave Dombrowski who has proven he can make the right moves for the current team (while also depleting a top 5 farm system, but that's for another day). The reason why? The talent isn't performing.
Sure Mookie Betts was an All-Star this year but he's nowhere near his last-year's MVP front-runner self, only hitting .274 this year. Bogaerts is hitting for a strong average, sure, but 6 home runs? You can't be looked at as a top-tier superstar in the MLB if you are on pace for 12 home runs. Price has actually been solid since returning from injury, but Rick Porcello has been putrid. How do you win a CY Young and come back pitching like someone who shouldn't be in the MLB.
This team has showed at times that it can go on runs where they look like the best time in the league, but that is nowhere near consistent. For them to really compete, consistency is one of 3 factors they must acquire.
The lineup is clearly missing a power bat. With Todd Frazier now a Yankee, Dombrowski needs to continue to search the trade market for a power bat. Without one, this team won't reach the World Series. I guarantee it.
Finally, their biggest need is for the talent to live up to the hype. If Hanley can hit like he did last year, Porcello can be 2/3 of what he was last year, if Price can continue his solid pitching, if Bogaerts can hit maybe 20 homers instead of 12, this team will be legit.
I understand how unlikely it is that everything clicks perfectly at the right time, but it's happened before, and why not this team. The Sox have World Series talent and potential, now it's all about them putting it together.
Twitter- @ckhater23
Sure Mookie Betts was an All-Star this year but he's nowhere near his last-year's MVP front-runner self, only hitting .274 this year. Bogaerts is hitting for a strong average, sure, but 6 home runs? You can't be looked at as a top-tier superstar in the MLB if you are on pace for 12 home runs. Price has actually been solid since returning from injury, but Rick Porcello has been putrid. How do you win a CY Young and come back pitching like someone who shouldn't be in the MLB.
This team has showed at times that it can go on runs where they look like the best time in the league, but that is nowhere near consistent. For them to really compete, consistency is one of 3 factors they must acquire.
The lineup is clearly missing a power bat. With Todd Frazier now a Yankee, Dombrowski needs to continue to search the trade market for a power bat. Without one, this team won't reach the World Series. I guarantee it.
Finally, their biggest need is for the talent to live up to the hype. If Hanley can hit like he did last year, Porcello can be 2/3 of what he was last year, if Price can continue his solid pitching, if Bogaerts can hit maybe 20 homers instead of 12, this team will be legit.
I understand how unlikely it is that everything clicks perfectly at the right time, but it's happened before, and why not this team. The Sox have World Series talent and potential, now it's all about them putting it together.
Twitter- @ckhater23
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