A list of New Year’s Resolutions that members of the Boston Red Sox should make in order to improve the team’s chances to repeat as champions.
It’s tradition to make resolutions before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. Goals that we set for ourselves entering next year. Going to the gym more often, starting a new diet, or kicking a bad habit are all well intentioned resolutions that most of us will disregard by February. Hypothetically, let’s say we could make resolutions for members of the Boston Red Sox with assurances they would stick to them. What would their goals be heading into the 2019 season?
Simple, win another World Series. Well, my job is done here, that was easy! Ok, fine. It takes a lot more than that to be crowned champions. We know what this team is capable of with most of last year’s squad returning but there are always way to improve.
Here are some goals that Red Sox players should work on during the offseason to improve the team’s chances of defending their title.
Rafael Devers – Defense
The 22-year old has shown a lot of potential, flashing a power stroke with 30+ homer upside. In order to reach that ceiling, Devers needs to stay in the lineup. That means he can’t be a liability in the field, which could force him to the bench. Devers led all major league third basemen with 24 errors and his -13 defensive runs saved placed him next to last. Boston has plenty of versatile infielders ready to take his place if his glove can’t cut it at the hot corner.
Matt Barnes – Control
Barnes had a career year in which he set personal bests with a 3.65 ERA and 14.0 K/9. The one concern is the number of walks he allows. Barnes posted a career-worst 4.52 BB/9 rate that was the eighth highest among American League relievers. If the Red Sox lose Craig Kimbrel to free agency and fail to sign a replacement, Barnes could be tasked with filling the closer role. That’s risky enough given his lack of experience, let alone if he continues to be this wild. If he can harness his pitches to cut down on the walks while retaining the strikeout rate, Barnes might actually make a solid closer.
Dustin Pedroia – Don’t push it
We all know Pedroia is a gamer who wants to play every day. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented him from staying on the field in recent years. He tried making a mid-season comeback but lasted only three games before going right back on the disabled list. It was clear he returned before his surgically repaired knee was ready and the setback cost him the rest of the season. Pedroia has to trust what his aging body is telling him and be honest with the coaching and training staff. He still has enough left to contribute to this team if he can stay healthy but he may need to pick his spots a bit more with extra maintenance days built in for rest.
David Price – Avoid controversy
Lashing out at the media, struggling to pitch in cold weather, a video game related injury. Critics have always been able to find something to harp on Price for since he came to Boston. Now that he’s a postseason hero, the haters have been silenced. At least for now. Price has bought himself some goodwill with this fan base but that can change with the next hint of controversy.
Rick Porcello – Keep the ball in the yard
Porcello has always been prone to the long ball. He allowed the most home runs in the majors with 38 in 2017 and followed that up with 27 allowed this year. He has a home run rate of at least 1.3 HR/9 in three of his four seasons with the Red Sox. The one season he was below that mark was his Cy Young campaign in 2016 when he posted a 0.9 HR/9. When you attack the strike zone to avoid walks the way Porcello does, you’re bound to cough up a few homers. The key is to not make mistakes over the middle of the plate. If he cuts back a bit on the home runs he allows, a season close to his 2016 level could be in store.
Mookie Betts – Stay the way you are
He’s the reigning MVP and he’s elite in every aspect of the game. Never change, Mookie.