5 Takeaways from the First 5 Games

Photo Credit: AP

The Red Sox have come out flying to start the season, taking 3 of 4 games against the Tampa Bay Rays and taking the series opener against the Miami Marlins last night, 7-3. So, what can we take away from the first 5 games of the season?

1. Joe Kelly needs work. Kelly is really one of the only reasons the Red Sox aren't a perfect 5-0 to start the season, and is mainly responsible for the Opening Day loss against Tampa. The team was cruising...at least until Kelly came in and gave up 4 runs in a third of an inning. He allowed 4 runs, 1 hit, and 3 walks in that third of an inning. The most striking part of that, at least for me, is the 3 walks, which tells me that he has some control issues that he has to work through. Now, to Kelly's credit, he came back and pitched a solid scoreless inning out of the pen last night, picking up his 1st big-league save in the process, but he needs a few more performances like that against better teams before I trust him. It's a long season, and one bad performance doesn't make or break a season at this stage.

2. #XGonGiveItToYa: Xander Bogaerts has been a beast out of the gate. .455 average, a home run, and 5 doubles. He's been smoking the ball out of the gate. Yes, he won't continue hitting at a near .500 clip, but if this is a sign of what's to come, I'm excited.

3. Pitching has been on point. With the exception of Joe Kelly's one bad outing in the opener, the pitching has been exceptional so far. Chris Sale struck out 9 on what looked at times to be an "off day," David Price turned in a 7 inning, 5 strikeout performance, and the bullpen has been lights out (again, with the exception of Kelly, which I talked about already). The bullpen is going to be the X-factor for the team. We already know that Craig Kimbrel (2 saves already) is one of the best closers in the game, but the key is going to be bridging the gap and getting to him with a lead intact.

4. J.D. Martinez is still adjusting. As I said earlier with Kelly, the season is a long one, and Martinez isn't the only one struggling out of the gate. He is hitting .200 with 1 RBI through 5 games, which isn't ideal for a guy the Sox just gave a $100+ contract to. Martinez is a good hitter, though, and 5 games is too small of a sample size to rush to any snap judgements, so for now, he gets the benefit of the doubt. Now, if we look up in August & September and he's still struggling, that's a different story, but I think J.D. is too good not to figure it out at some point.

5.Alex Cora is doing a good job so far. The Red Sox came out of Tampa with 3 straight 1-run wins in large part due to Cora's decision-making. Every bench player has made at least one start, and none of his starters have gotten past the 95 pitch mark, according to the Herald. It's been an "all hands on deck" approach so far, and it's paying off. He also seems to have the clubhouse on his side, which is something that may have led to John Farrell's squads not being able accomplish anything outside of 2013. Another interesting tidbit from the Herald: the Red Sox are 3-0 so far in 1-run games, which is something last year's team struggled with.

We have to put everything, good and bad, in perspective, though - it's still early, and anything can happen. We could be World Series contenders or it'll all blow up in our face. Knock on wood, but I don't think I'm alone in hoping for the former.

Stats from espn.com

Facebook: Flying Green Monsters
Twitter - @ FlyingGM_Blog
@C_Frederick1016

Red Sox baseball is back, and so am I

I

Photo Credit: Matt Stone

know it's been a while since I've done a post here, but baseball is back today, and so am I (finally). I'm like a 6-year old kid on Christmas morning at the moment. Without further ado, I'm going to get into what I think we can expect from this year's team.

The Sox are coming off a season in which they won the AL East, but crashed out of the playoffs in the first round to eventual World Series champions, the Houston Astros. This year, they come back with a new manager in Alex Cora, and a new slugger in JD Martinez. Cora's managerial experience is limited, but he was the bench coach on the Houston Astros team that won the championship last year, and Martinez is coming off a year in which he set career highs in home runs (45) and RBI's (104). Adding Martinez will hopefully add some much needed pop to a lineup that was sorely lacking in that department last year.

So, what exactly can we expect from the Red Sox? For starters, they should be aiming to win the AL East for the third consecutive year. Of course, the main competition this year will be from the Evil Empire down in New York, who added Giancarlo Stanton to an already stacked young lineup. I still expect the Red Sox to compete, though. When they're all in form, the Red Sox have one of the better starting rotations in baseball. And, while they may not have the power threats of the Yankees, the Red Sox lineup can still beat you in a multitude of different ways. Plus, Martinez should add some pop, as I mentioned above.

So, is this the year the Red Sox make a serious push towards another World Series? I believe so. I think Alex Cora is the right guy for the manager's job, and I don't think he'll let this team slide, like they have in years past. And, on paper, this is a very talented team that can beat anyone in a 5- or 7-game series come playoff time.

It all starts at 4:00 this afternoon. In the meantime, the Red Sox posted this video on their Facebook page to get us excited for the season:
Facebook: Flying Green Monsters
Twitter - @FlyingGM_Blog @C_Frederick1016

Red Sox Rumors: Buchholz on the block

Photo from Masslive

Dear Santa:

All I want for Christmas is world peace, a Red Sox World Series victory in 2017...and the Clay Buchholz trade rumors to come to pass. Give me those things and I'll be one happy kid for Christmas.

Love, Conor.

If you read this, Santa, you might ask why it has to be him. Fair question, and one that is fairly simple to answer, at least for me. 2 reason: First, we have a logjam in our rotation after acquiring Chris Sale earlier this week. 7 major league starters for 5 slots, and we have to drop one. This leads into reason #2: Buchholz has been inconsistent, hence why I would say deal him. He started his career so well with the no-hitter, but after that, he only really had one good stretch in the early part of 2013 when he started out 12-0. He looked like an early Cy Young candidate that year, but he got a neck injury, and he's never looked like the same guy.

So, that's why I would say deal Buchholz. I think he's mediocre at the moment, and maybe a change of scenery will benefit him and help him rediscover his early '13 form. In return, Boston will get to offload Buchholz's $13 million salary and get something in return, so win-win for both team and player. As of right now, the Red Sox are sitting near the luxury tax threshold at a $195 million payroll, per Masslive, and Dave Dombrowski doesn't want to go over, so dealing Buchholz gives the team some financial flexibility if they need to make a deadline move and bring on extra salary in the process.

So, that's why I hope Buchholz gets dealt, Santa. Satisfied? Good. Now, please make it happen. PS - a nice pair of basketball sneakers (Nike) would be great, too. I've been so very, very good this year.

Twitter - @C_Frederick1016
@FlyingGM_Blog

Facebook: Flying Green Monsters

Red Sox moves: Chris Sale acquired, Travis Shaw dealt

David Banks/Getty Images

It's official, folks. As first reported by Ken Rosenthal, ex-Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale is now a member of the Red Sox. The price? Yoan Moncada, Mike Kopech (RHP), and 2 other prospects.

The damage is not as bad as I would have thought to get an ace like Chris Sale. Moncada is obviously the centerpiece and the biggest loss, but given the level of talent that the Red Sox are getting in return, I can live with it. Given that both Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley were thrown around in earlier trade talks, I think the Red Sox dodged a relative bullet by only having to give up Moncada. I understand that Moncada alone seems like a high price to some, but it could have been so much worse, given the circumstances.

To me, this also seems like Dave Dombrowski is doing everything he can to make the Red Sox serious World Series contenders. Lost in all the Sale hysteria was the fact that Travis Shaw was dealt for Tyler Thornburg from the Milwaukee Brewers, who had a 2.15 ERA and 90 strikeouts in a breakout season. That should also shore up our pen, even if I'm none too thrilled about the idea that the team, by giving up Shaw (a great young player in his own right), seems to be saying that Pablo Sandoval will be starting at third base at the moment. Maybe I'm misreading the situation, but that's what I get from the Red Sox dealing Shaw. If I'm right, then that thought makes me a little nervous, to say the least, but right now, I'm holding out hope that Pablo Sandoval will pull a John Lackey and be better after a major injury.

BREAKING: Sale to #RedSox. Moncada, Kopech and two other prospects to #WhiteSox.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016

Trade is official. Sale to #RedSox.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 6, 2016

Source: Mauricio Dubon also going to Brewers.

Per @alexspeier, Travis Shaw expected in deal. Per @jnorris427, Josh Pennington as well. https://t.co/qp9XPcFTLo

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) December 6, 2016

So, is this it for the Sox? Hopefully not, since they still need a replacement for David Ortiz. For now, I'm happy with the moves we made overall, even if the price of acquiring another ace and relief help was steep. Hopefully, it was worth it.

For now, stay tuned. FGM will have more coverage of all the Red Sox trades and signings.

Twitter - @C_Frederick1016 
@FlyingGM_Blog 

Facebook: Flying Green Monsters

Was bringing Farrell back for 2017 the right move?

Photo Credit: USA Today Sports

This past week, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowksi announced that John Farrell will return for the 2017. The burning question on fans' minds is "Was this the right move?" My gut feeling is that this is indeed the correct decision. No, he's not Terry Francona, Joe Maddon, or Bruce Bochy, but I would say 2 things in his defense - he was at the helm for 2013 and it would also appear he has this team on the up again after 2 straight last place finishes.

Let's start with the first thing - 2013. We all remember how that turned out, yes? It seemed as if the baseball gods wanted the Red Sox to win that year, but remember that the game is played on the field. And players can lose focus over the course of a 6 month season, and it takes a firm hand in the clubhouse to keep the team focus on the ultimate goal. I give Farrell most of the credit for that.

Reason #2 I would support Farrell for now - this team is heading in the right direction after getting swept by Cleveland. Yes, I know - we got swept, but I'll happily take it over 2 straight last place finishes, wouldn't you? I can't tell you how happy I was to see meaningful late-season and playoff baseball back at Fenway again. Like in 2013, I credit Farrell for keeping the team focused, and it paid off with a division title in the toughest division in baseball this year. Side note: Before fans of other teams start giving me flack, the AL East had 3 playoff teams and 4 of 5 teams over .500, so yeah, I think it qualifies as the best this year. Plus, the team had to deal with the media circus that was David Ortiz's retirement tour this year, but Farrell still kept the team on track.

Yes, I understand the counter-arguments. His in-game management is bad at times (trust me, that frustrates me too), but again, I do believe Farrell deserves a lot of credit for being a steady hand in the dugout, which is a big part of being a manager. My question to the anti-Farrell crowd would be this - would you rather go back to Bobby Valentine? Who would you have manage the team in place of Farrell? I say stick with Farrell for 2017, and see how it plays out before maybe changing managers.

Twitter: @C_Frederick 
@FlyingGM_Blog 

Facebook: Flying Green Monsters

LCS and beyond: What'll happen the rest of the playoffs?

Photo Credit: dawindycity.com

Hint: I'm feeling a happy ending (finally!) for the Chicago Cubs.

With the Red Sox out of the playoffs and the League Championship Series almost set (the LA Dodgers will face the Washington Nationals tonight for the right to face the Cubs), I thought it was a good time to look at how I believe the rest of the playoffs will shape up.

Washington/LA: Tonight's game 5 will be a competitive affair, I think, but I do see the Nationals edging out LA in a tight one. Why? Simple - I predict Max Scherzer steps up and pitches the game of his life. He did struggle in Game 2, but I think he does show up big time in the biggest moment thus far for Washington. I also see Bryce Harper and the rest of the Nationals lineup getting to Rich Hill, the LA starter, early. Hill struggled in his first playoff start this season, lasting only 4.1 innings and giving up 4 runs to the Nats.
Prediction: WAS over LA 4-2, WAS advances  

NLCS - CHI vs WAS: The Nationals are a good team, no doubt about it, but I firmly believe the Chicago Cubs are far and away the most complete team of 2016. They have an excellent combination of youth, experience, pitching (Red Sox fans will know all about that - Jon Lester and John Lackey, both ex-Sox players who will both start for Chicago), hitting, defense, and management from the GM Theo Epstein down to Joe Maddon. Maddon may be quirky, but he's one of the best managers in baseball, and he's proved it with the Rays and Cubs. This series will be tight, but I do think the Cubs have the talent to beat Washington.
Prediction - CHI wins the series 4-2  

ALCS: CLE vs TOR: This one should be interesting. Both teams swept their way through the ALDS, so both teams are rested, but I do think Toronto has that extra edge after also beating the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card play-in game. However, Cleveland is more than capable of causing what I think most would consider an upset. In addition, Cleveland arguably had the tougher ALDS matchup with Boston and swept the Sox in impressive fashion. I think this one could go the full 7 games, but I do think Toronto edges them out due to having a tougher lineup. Prediction: TOR wins the series 4-3

World Series prediction - Cubs win 4-1 I'll point out again that Chicago has a more complete team than any team remaining, and I believe that will propel them to the top of the baseball mountain in 2016, and I think they beat the Jays handily in 5. This is the part where I knock on wood, because I sincerely hope the Cubs can prove me right and pull it out, but I'm also well aware of the Cubs history.
Twitter - @C_Frederick1016 
 @FlyingGM_Blog  

Facebook: Flying Green Monsters

Season Recap: A farewell to Ortiz and what's next

AP/Charles Krupa

The Red Sox were swept out of the playoffs by the Cleveland Indians on Monday in a disappointing end to David Ortiz's final season with the Red Sox. David Ortiz bid an emotional farewell to Red Sox Nation after losing 4-3 to the Indians. The Red Sox did well to make it to the playoffs, but were outplayed in every phase of the game in the ALDS by a hungry Cleveland team.

So, how bad was it? As a team, the Red Sox hit .214 for the series, and a measly .163 with runners in scoring position. And especially in the first game, Red Sox hitters were swinging at air. Pitching? Forget about it. The team had an ERA of 5.04, and the big money guy, David Price, had a 13.50 ERA (so much for that $214 million contract - yikes!). The Red Sox could not get any momentum in any facet of the game, and with the exception of Andrew Benintendi and Brock Holt, no one on the roster really performed up to the bar they had set all season.

Now for the plus side - this will be a good learning curve for the young guys, and having that playoff experience under their belt will help them next year. And with no David Ortiz on the field, that should put more on the shoulders of guys like Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and the rest of the young core, but I think they are ready.

And the lineup was one huge positive for the Sox all season long, from Ortiz's monster final season to Mookie Betts having an MVP-caliber season, Andrew Benintendi showing flashes of brilliance both at the plate and in the field, and finally having 5 guys (Ortiz, Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Hanley Ramirez, and Jackie Bradley) with over 20 home runs.

What's next?
So, what's in store this off-season? The Red Sox have to fill David Ortiz's very large shoes at DH. In Spring Training, I would have advocated Hanley in that role, and that's still possible, but Hanley proved what I thought early in the year wrong, and I'm grateful for it. He was above average at 1st base, and I'd be fine keeping him there after what he has done this year. Edwin Encarnacion is out there, but I would say try Pablo Sandoval there, but I'm not the one making the decisions, and the verdict is still out on Panda. One thing is clear - filling Ortiz's spot will make for an interesting offseason.

Farwell, Papi:
On that note, it's time for the hardest part: Saying good bye to David Ortiz. He's been without a doubt the most important player in Red Sox history, winning 3 World Series championships. He changed the culture around Fenway, and he played the game with a huge smile from ear to ear every day. It's going to be depressing when he's not on the Opening Day roster, but the time was right for him to go.

Twitter - @C_Frederick1016
@FlyingGM_Blog
Facebook: Flying Green Mosnters
All stats from espn.com