Red Sox fans can be positive about 2018 with J.D. Martinez on board
By Rick McNair
Is it time for Boston Red Sox fans to be happy? The Red Sox are back on track after signing J.D. Martinez and there is plenty to be thankful for.
Is there any good news for the Boston Red Sox? Is the franchise ready to crumble like a gingerbread house in a Nor ‘Easter? Much angst exists over the Yankees and they’re grabbing another home run bat. Can NY set a home run record? There are good news Sox fans so let’s look at the bright side as the season approaches. So, folks, let’s not worry and be happy!
This is a team that won 93 games and captured the American League East and that is with some significant dents along the way. David Price, Rick Porcello, and Steven Wright show up fully armed (pun intended) there will be no worries.
The 2017 team did produce runs. Maybe they were padded a bit with some top-heavy games, but this lineup is not tissue paper. Do not expect Xander Bogaerts and a .273 average to be team tops in 2018. They may not beat teams to submission but will get over 800 runs. Just be happy with the potential rising averages.
The departure of David Ortiz is not accepted. Maybe some of the young hitters had some issues dealing with that? All in the past. As noted – they still won and scored without Papi. Someone will step up. And now J.D. Martinez is added to the lineup. Be happy about that potential!
The bullpen has depth especially if Tyler Thornburg is back in reasonable form. Craig Kimbrel is as good as it gets to close, and the rest have more positive than negative moments. A strong bullpen that could be a great one in this age of five-inning starts.
John Farrell was rewarded for a nice season of managing by getting fired. A necessary move? Seems so with questions about the clubhouse and the usual litany of questionable game decisions. Alex Cora takes over and a different approach just may invigorate a rather placid bunch. A new face and everyone will be happy.
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Fenway Park is still a premier destination and baseball fans have a streak of envy for the old ballyard. I may think the park is an outdated dump, but I am just part of a very small group. The team traditionally take full advantage of their familiarity with Fenway. Bragging points for RSN is out throwback park.
And with Fenway Park comes the fans and RSN. Are they the best fans in baseball? I’d certainly say that is a given and that energizes players. Just ask Tampa and Baltimore players how it feels to play on their home grounds against the Red Sox? More like a road game.
The farm system may have been stripped like hyenas do to a dead water buffalo but fear not – be happy – someone will surface to be the next hot item on the futures menu. Michael Chavis? Sam Travis? Someone will catch that star.
The money! This is not the Marlins, folks, but the Boston Red Sox! Management has given the fiscal blessing to exceeding the luxury tax with a team that already has the highest MLB payroll. Count our fiscal blessings that we have the dough to cover up mistakes. Be happy with those ticket prices!
Next: Red Sox, J.D. Martinez agree to a deal
Media representation in Boston is exceptional compared to almost every city in MLB. The Red Sox are big news all summer long and it shows with everything Red Sox being covered. The road trip usually has more Boston media representation than the home team and it all filters to the fans.