Push the panic button, sound the alarm, do whatever you want, but Sox Fans, this is rock bottom. Many people are going to compare this years start to last year, but that is honestly like comparing apples to oranges. Last year we had a new team, guys learning to play with each other, roles being worked out, and just some bad luck. But last year we had a closer, this year, our closers ERA is 24.00. Yes, after 2 weeks of baseball, the man who should have the lowest era on the team has an ERA greater than 20, and thats not for a lack of innings. Last year we had a starting rotation who at its best could compete with the best and the veteran Tim Wakefied in the wings. This year, we have 2 pitchers who have never started in the majors and if they fail? well we have Aaron Cook who was released by the rockies, and dare I say it, Alfredo Aceves. Last year we had one of the best lineups in baseball, sure Carl Crawford looked miserable, but I can promise you he is a whole lot better than the platoon of Mcdonald, Repko, and Sweeney. But most importantly, we had hope last year. Hope the team could turn it around, hope the team could win and possibly make the playoffs.
As of today, there is no hope for the faithful. The bullpen currently has no structure and has an ERA sitting above 6, and it includes some guy named Justin Thomas? To make matters worse the two acquisitions made this winter by GM Ben Cherington to replace Papelbon are not even able to pitch. Bailey is out until the all star break with some freak thumb injury, and Mark Melancon, well there is a reason why the Yankees let him go so easily, and now the PawSox are figuring that out. On top of the pitching woes are the issues with the outfield. Crawford is down in Florida still crying over a sore elbow, so who knows when he will be back. As for Ellsbury, that shoulder looked painful, but we all know how soft he is when it comes to rehab, just ask Youk. Although the bullpen and outfield issues are tough to overcome, there is one major issue: lack of leadership.
Now by this time, everyone of my twitter followers know how little respect I have for bobby valentine. But outside of him being a giant windbag, there is a reason why the Mets fired him, he lacks any leadership skills. The Red Sox ownership probably liked what he did in Japan and thats why they hired him, but as Dustin Pedroia noted, what works in Japan doesn't work here. And this is not me downing the Japanese leagues, but lets think about this from a cultural standpoint. In Japan, they respect their elders regardless of how they feel about them personally. All of Valentine's players had to respect him, and therefore he had no issue motivating him because they looked up to him like a God. Here in Boston, there is nothing godly about him. All of the players make alot more money than him, they are all better baseball players than him, and more importantly, the players run the clubhouse here, and their respect is earned. As we all know, Bobby has done nothing but lose respect from the players so far with his comments. Even with his comments, the thing that worries me the most is a comment made by Kevin Millar on Fox today. He noted that in the first game against the yankees, the Sox were only down by a few runs in the 7th inning, and when he looked into the dugout and saw and heard no emotion at all. A true sign that Bobby V has completely lost this club. So regardless what personnel moves Ben makes, the most important and most necessary would be to remove Bobby V from the clubhouse and replace him with a true leader. And please Ben, do it before its too late.
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