With the regular season just over 2 weeks away from kicking off and a day off from games for the Red Sox today, it is a great opportunity to look back at the plethora of off-season additions and evaluate a handful of them based on what we have seen so far. The Sox have completed 15 Grapefruit League (8-7) and 2 college exhibition games (2-0), and have 18 Grapefruit League games remaining until the players take the journey up north.
John Lackey, free agent signed 5-year, $82.5 million
Grade: A+
The blockbuster deal of the off-season for the Red Sox was signing John Lackey to his 5-year deal. His performance this Spring has been nothing short of exceptional. He has appeared in 3 games, accumulating 9 scoreless innings with 3 K’s and just 5 hits. The most impressive part of his game is his ability to throw strikes at a consistently high rate, allowing 0 BB’s this Spring. With the ever-growing list of Dice-K injuries, Theo is looking like a genius bringing on a veteran with strong command to anchor the front-end of the rotation.
Adrian Beltre, free agent signed 1-year, $9 million (player option year 2)
Grade: B+
Adrian Beltre was brought in to be a defensive upgrade and the starting 3rd baseman for the Sox with the likelihood of Mike Lowell being shipped elsewhere. Lowell is still with the Sox, as Beltre’s back-up, and Beltre is shining in his starter role. Offensively, Beltre hasn’t put up impressive numbers thus far, collecting only 3 hits in 16 AB’s, but has made a few spectacular plays defensively, like the one yesterday when he barehanded a ball off of John Lackey and beat the runner with a perfect throw to 1st base. Since the Red Sox signed him primarily for his defensive ability, he has lived up to the hype so far.
Marco Scutaro, free agent signed, 2-year deal for $11 million (dual option for year 3)
Grade: B-
Scutaro was an early signing for the Red Sox back in the first week of December. The main goal was to provide some defensive stability at the shortstop position and stop the revolving door since Nomar was traded halfway through 2004. Scutaro has acclimated well with his double-play partner Dustin Pedroia and the two seem to be a perfect fit for each other on the middle of the infield. Scutaro’s offensive ability thus far has been poor, collecting only 3 hits in 21 AB’s, while striking out 3 times. Like Beltre, however, the Red Sox brought Scutaro in for defensive purposes, so any offensive production would be a bonus.
Mike Cameron, free agent signed 2-year, $15.5 million
Grade: B
Cameron was another addition based almost solely on his defensive ability. The 3-time gold-glover has made a big impression this Spring, but mostly because of this lively personality and presence in the clubhouse. People often undervalue a person’s attitude in the clubhouse, but it can be the difference between a good team and great team. Cameron has been solid at-bat as well, collecting 6 hits in 18 AB’s and has only struck out 4 times, which is good for the often impatient veteran. At age 36, Cameron’s youthful exuberance has certainly been refreshing to watch.
Jeremy Hermida, acquired from the Florida Marlins for 2 minor league pitchers
Grade A-
Hermida was the earliest transaction of the 2009 off-season for the Red Sox, as Theo worked a trade for the outfielder back in the first week of November. Hermida was brought in to play the 4th outfielder role, similar to that of Rocco Baldelli in 2009. At age 26, Hermida has a ton of upside and has begun to show his ability this Spring, collecting 9 hits in 25 AB’s, a .360 average. His added value is high with a low risk attached, essentially filling a gap until Josh Reddick is ready to contribute consistently in the majors. Hermida could provide a crucial late-inning pinch-hitter role that the Sox will need in close games as the season wears on and he will have his chance to start on days that J.D. Drew needs to rest. Because he was such a low risk acquisition, his results so far have exceeded expectation in my mind.