Red Sox alternate history: 2014-15
Nov 25, 2014; Boston, Ma, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington talks to the media about third baseman Pablo Sandoval (not pictured) during the introductory press conference at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Science fiction is a favorite pastime of mine and one of the most popular genres is alternate history. What would happen if the Civil War was a stalemate? Harry Turtledove has made a fortune off that concept. And the plethora of alternate outcomes from various conflicts or worlds that may have existed if a minor change had taken place.
Baseball fans look and say “only if” when looking at how a player rudely dismissed, not made a free agent offer or rejected in trade suddenly appears in the upper statistical ranks.
In the last few seasons the Red Sox have been victimized by overinflated expectations or hype regarding players either in their system, free agents or on the trading block. So here are a few to mull over. There are many more and each team has their own fan base that sings the siren song of “What if?”
As with all history, it can be interpreted as one wishes to spin it. Revisionist do it and now I join the ranks with a baseball version for 2014. How it could have spun 2015.
Mar 31, 2015; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (25) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jackie Bradley hits .280.
Bradley was the real deal and was a top ranked prospect. In spring training of 2013 Bradley forced his way into the lineup and then proceeded to play his way out of the lineup. No problem – just some more seasoning and we’ll have a future All-Star.
In 2014 the stat line sank even further and this season Bradley has gone 0-11 in two brief returns to Boston. Bradley is slashing .192/.266/.273 for his career. The upside is obvious – Bradley is an elite fielder. Bradley’s range, instincts, arm and defensive savvy is Gold Glove material. His bat is rubber and not wooden and that means failure.
The cost for Bradley’s offensive ineptness is an expenditure of 72.5M for Rusney Castillo. Castillo is or is expected to be what Bradley should be. A steady bat, excellent glove, good speed and the type of player that one could say is this generations Dwight Evans. Bradley succeeds, you would most likely see Castillo elsewhere. Or maybe not?
May 31, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Will Middlebrooks (11) hits a two run home run during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Will Middlebrooks morphs into Butch Hobson in his prime.
Hobson had a nice three year run that produced 75 home runs, 285 RBI and an average of .259. Would Middlebrooks provide the same type of production? Unfortunately the answer was no.
Middlebrooks had some injury issues that may have contributed to his Boston demise and, of course, the pressure situation that is Boston certainly doesn’t help. So Middlebrooks was sent out of town and now is in San Diego, where he is managing to show some glimpse of a return to promise.
The failure of Middlebrooks resulted in the Red Sox tossing 95M to Pablo Sandoval. That is 95M that could have been directed elsewhere. Middlebrooks represented a huge potential power bat that never materialized in Boston. Also, we lost Jenney Dell.
May 29, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher John Lackey (41) reacts after recording the third out of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Dodgers 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
John Lackey stays in Boston.
Lackey had a nice selling or trading point in that his contract for 2015 was minimized . When Lackey was dealt to St. Louis he had an 11-7 record with a 3.60 ERA. Lackey – a former poster boy of bad Boston signings – resurrected his Boston career with major surgery and by dedicating himself to tuning up his body.
Dealing Lackey meant that Joe Kelly was shuffled into the rotation and that is now becoming a pitching disaster of epic proportions. In addition, Boston acquired Allen Craig, who no one wanted when placed on waivers.
A Lackey in the 2015 rotation would be what he has always been a dependable inning eater who keeps the team in the ballgame. A pitcher who lessens the load on the bullpen. Who would you rather have? Lackey or Kelly? Case closed!
May 22, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jon Lester is not low balled.
What were they thinking? The original offer to Lester was not even remotely close to what cash was being tossed at pitchers who had his pedigree.
Lester simply tossed his 200+ innings, got his wins, went deep into games and became a pitching monster in the playoffs. Sure – he can’t hit and his pick-off move is laughable, but his Boston line was 110-63 and a 3.64 ERA.
Would Lester have taken an offer that was finally given? Conjecture, for sure, but Lester had professed his love of the team and Boston so 135M on the table back in the spring of 2014 may have done it.
Lester’s moving on has forced the Red Sox hand. Would the Wade Miley trade and eventually signing have taken place? Rick Porcello trade may not have been culminated since Lester never would have ended up in Oakland.
May 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (13) reacts after striking out during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Hanley Ramirez is not signed.
The prodigal son returns is the theme the Red Sox management bandied about. The five-tool player who returns to the fold with baggage that is both pro and con.
Ramirez even went so far as to mesmerize management with his willingness to change positions. A shift to left field and for that 100M you get some spectacular power numbers. You also get as we have seen some defense that often leaves the observer scratching their head over questionable decision making.
Ramirez can hit. April proved that. Ramirez has also shown he’ll play after getting numerous dings and dents. Ramirez has said the right things in that regard by not playing the “injury card” for a deteriorating May.
So that means we go back to Bradley and Castillo. If the Red Sox decided in 2014 to sign Castillo – as they did – that would mean that they likely would have passed on Ramirez. Castillo is a superior defender and exhibits a higher level of competency on the bases. The key is also money. Castillo’s contract is simply less of an obligation and money can be diverted elsewhere.
Jul 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront (22) reacts against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Felix Doubront wins 15 games.
What happened? Doubront had back-to-back 11 win seasons and appeared on the cusp of breaking out in 2014. A pitcher who could keep his ERA under 4.00, get some innings in and provide some solid pitching in the four and five slot in the rotation.
Doubront degraded as the 2013 season wore on, but in the playoffs and the World Series promise for 2014 was shown. On the Big Stage Doubront tossed seven innings in four games allowing a lone run and picked up a WS win. If the playoffs are a confidence builder then Doubront had a world of it going into 2014.
Doubront just blew up and his career is on the verge of being potential lost. If Doubront had taken that next step the Red Sox would have a solid rotation if Lester and Lackey remained on board. Maybe Cole Hamels would be in town?