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Red Sox Rankings: Top 5 Red Sox 2016 Storylines

By Drew Peabody

Mar 21, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) hits the ball in play against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) hits the ball in play against the St. Louis Cardinals during the game at Roger Dean Stadium. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) looks on prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) looks on prior to the game against the Baltimore Orioles at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Will Farrell be fired if poor start?

The Red Sox have a tough early schedule, facing the Toronto Blue Jays six times, and the Houston Astros three games over the first 20 games of the season. The Baltimore Orioles are also coming to town for three games in that span. They beefed up their lineup over the offseason, acquiring sluggers Mark Trumbo (four 20 homer seasons) and Pedro Alvarez (three 20 homer seasons, Silver Slugger, All-Star) along with re-signing masher Chris Davis (led AL in homers in 2013 and 2015). So, the brass might be a little lenient right out of the gate considering the early schedule.

The next milestone to consider is Memorial Day. The brass would have to be looking at that date. They will have played 54 games, or one-third of a 162 game season. They have a 200 million dollar payroll, third highest in the majors. The team has finished in last the previous three out of four seasons. By Memorial Day, if they are not at .500, storm clouds will start to mass at the horizon.  They are willing to put lower salaried guys on the field over high-priced ones.  The win-now attitude is real.  The leash will start to shorten.

John Farrell is recovering from cancer. This is probably the only reason he still has a job. Torey Lovullo did a very credible job going 28-21 as their interim manager at the end of last season. Farrell has only had one season above .500 as a major league manager. He is signed through the end of 2017, but by the All-Star break, he will be gone if they are not in playoff contention.

So, the only appropriate answer to this question is how you define the words “poor” and “start”. Farrell should at least get two months to right the ship. After that, if the team isn’t doing well, he should be gone.

Stay tuned each Tuesday at BoSoxInjection.com for your weekly Power Rankings throughout the 2016 season.

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