Forget January 1st. Everyone knows that the new year begins when America’s pastime starts. So here are some resolutions for the Boston Red Sox, as they start 2016:
1 – Lose weight
Let’s not beat a dead horse and just move on.
2 – Learn something new
Hanley Ramirez has moved over to first base and Koji Uehara is now the set-up man. Even the coaching staff is learning new tricks. Fifty-one year old Ruben Amaro Jr. has traded in his General Manager nameplate in Philadelphia for the first base coach gig in Boston. Will there be an adjustment period or will they take to their new roles quickly? So far Hanley has been fine at first base while Koji gave up three runs in one inning, but it’s too small of a sample size to judge.
3 – Find that special someone
Pitching wasn’t the Red Sox’s strong suit last season. The team didn’t make any big moves during the winter except the addition of left hander David Price. Who will take the fifth rotation spot? Will an “ace” emerge from the group in Fort Myers? Will there be trades made during the season? So far this spring Joe Kelly is 7th in MLB with 1.08 ERA and Henry Owens has the 14th best BAA at .231. Signs of good things to come?
4 – Move out of the basement
The last two seasons have seen the Red Sox at the very bottom of the AL East. In fact three out of the last four seasons have ended with Boston on the bottom. Die-hard fans will not be deterred, but repeated bad season isn’t good for ticket and merchandise sales. The fans will be anxiously watching to see the boys of summer claw their way up in the standings this season.
5 – Get Organized
Spring Training is about getting the boys back into the swing of things (pun intended) as well as figuring out where everyone belongs in the organization. Who will be up in Boston and who will be down in the minors? On Tuesday the Sox announced that they optioned Pat Light (RHP), Bryce Brentz (OF), Sean Coyle (IF), and Edwin Escobar (LHP) to Pawtucket. William Jerez (LHP) was sent to Portland (AA) while Chris Dominguez (3B) and Ali Solis (C) were sent to Minor League camp. The team is slowly starting to take shape as the start of the regular season approaches.
Next: Musings from Spring Training
Let’s all hope that the Red Sox keep their resolutions better than most of us have kept ours.