The Boston Red Sox had their 2016 campaign come to an abrupt end after being swept by the Cleveland Indians. In Game 1 the Red Sox showed some heart and fight only to be out coached and played in the end. Porcello gave up three homeruns in one inning however the Sox fought back only to have their manager John Farrell bring in Drew Pomeranz who immediately gave up and RBI which all but put the nail in the coffin for the Red Sox. In Game 2 the Red Sox dressed and went through BP and then decided to not play and were embarrassed in all aspects of the game. Price continued his playoff issues by giving up a three run homerun to a lefty that had not hit a homerun off of a lefty all season. Then Corey Kluber decided to remind the baseball world that he won a Cy Young Award and shoved it against the Red Sox. However, the Red Sox obliged his effort by helping him in not swinging the bat or working counts or even remotely trying to play the game of baseball. Balls were going through the legs, off of gloves. Let's just say it wasn't their night. Then in game 3 the Red Sox decided to show up just enough to give the fans hope, but ultimately were a base hit away from at the very least tying the game and sending it into extras. So the Indians aka the Red Sox of Ohio completed the three game sweep and are now set to take on Toronto in the ALDS.
Okay the gloomy and frustrating reality of the situation is over. Besides the fact that the Red Sox lost the ALDS and Big Papi all in one night and besides the fact that they were out coached by their former coach, and besides the fact that they didn't play 1/4 as good as their capable of all is not lost. There are some things that obviously need tweaking and pulled/plugged within the roster but the core of this team is solid and here to stay. Pedro is barring the injury bug has some quality years left in the tank along with Hanley as well. Outside of those two position players, there is extremely talented youth throughout the roster. Mookie, who may or may not be MVP this year, Xander, JBJ, Shaw, Benintendi, Moncada all form a great nucleus moving forward. Another bat is needed to replace Papi. We will get to see what the Red Sox front office is leaning towards more when the World Series ends, but don't be surprised if Edwin Encarnacion is in the Red Sox uniform by Opening Day. There are some interesting names to consider also, Matt Holiday is another name. With the position players not being to big of an issue I think you have to focus hard on what you have in your starting rotation and bullpen. You have a closer and you have 2 quality starters. You have a young lefty starter who will continue to grow and learn from Price and Porcello as well. I think you have to sure up the bullpen at the very least. Kimbrel, Smith, Kelly, Barnes, Ross and Uehara (who is old and needs to be monitored) all are fine, but would it really hurt to add another arm or two? If you want to make the smartest move, you sure up the bullpen and then go for another quality starter, either a number 2 or number 3 guy. Price and Porcello you can count on, but how much can you count on Buchholz, Rodriguez, Pomeranz, Wright? You can't. They proved all year long you can't. Last but not least, the manager situation needs to be addressed. Look I know I'm not an MLB manger or executive, but Farrell continues to pull the wrong strings or fails to pull any at all. This team was out coached and out prepared time and time again this year and without question in these three games. Francona made Farrell look like an idiot. It wasn't even close. I'd like Dombrowski to look at that situation more. I realize that players play and coaches coach, and he didn't lose the series for the Red Sox, but he sure as hell didn't help. Go back and look at the one run losses this year or the ultimate late inning collapses this year. That's not players to an extent, that's coaching. That's not being able to manage the game in front of you. It obviously didn't end the way myself and other Red Sox fans would have liked, but there is so much to be proud of this year. Won the AL Easy after being dead last, saw our very own legend have an amazing final season, had a cy young and MVP candidate on our team. Saw the birth of the new Red Sox era with the killer B's. It was a great year for the Red Sox no matter the outcome and the future looks even brighter.
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