BoSox Injection
Fansided

Boston Red Sox at the quarter pole

By Rick McNair

May 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) looks out from the dugout while talking with the media prior to a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) looks out from the dugout while talking with the media prior to a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws his helmet away after being forced out at second base in the seventh inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) throws his helmet away after being forced out at second base in the seventh inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Disappointments

Early Season Blunders. This is the John Farrell area – the manager that was fired numerous times in the first 15 or so games. Some head scratching moves within the game that even the novice fan found “interesting.” For the more knowledgeable fans, it was searching Amazon for tar and feathers.

Injuries. Predicting injuries is similar to attempting to time the stock market – it just doesn’t work. The bizarre started in spring training when the anointed number two starter – Eduardo Rodriguez – sprained his knee. Day to day is now month to month. Is Dr. Oz on the Sox medical staff with some exotic herbal treatment?

Carson Smith was supposed to be a prized bullpen addition and so far the results are 2.2 innings and another potential visit to the disabled list. Yes – I have a bad (very bad) feeling about this.

Joe Kelly was the ace of Fort Myers, but as the season started it was another call to the medics. Last season a stint on the DL turned his season around. A repeat is needed.

Is Pablo Sandoval going on a rehab for 2016 really a loss? Sandoval came into camp as the stand-in for Jabba the Hutt and quickly lost playing time and his position.

The man of mystery. My wife – the Lovely Cynthia – claims I am the most frustrating person she knows. Too bad she doesn’t follow baseball as Clay Buchholz would drop me to second place.

The ace got lost. David Price was the savior of the rotation and the latest pitching gazillionaire in baseball. The positive was his K totals, the team did win and his FIP was actually more reflective of a true ace, but the negatives were well publicized and visions of Matt Clement danced in my head. Apparently that first half dozen starts was an illusion.

Call-ups. Farm living is the life for me and that is exactly where Henry Owens, Sean O’Sullivan, Pat Light, Noe Ramirez and what seems like half the PawSox roster will remain. You dip into that gene pool and the season is officially shot.

Rusney Castillo and Blake Swihart. Both are in Pawtucket. Castillo is a solid defender, but you don’t pay 72.5 Million for good field and no hit. Swihart simply was not up to defensive snuff and without the versatility of multiple positions it was back to Pawtucket.

Next: On the bright side

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