Red Sox Report: Beckett & The Boys Hold The Key
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
It wasn’t exactly an “I’m sorry,” but it was as close as we’re going to get from Josh Beckett. The Red Sox ace admitted to “lapses in judgment” in regard to his beer-drinking, chicken-eating habits in the clubhouse late last season.
Now that we can put that controversy to bed, it’s time to focus in on Boston’s starting rotation which will likely determine the fate of this year’s team.
JOSH BECKETT – Yes, he is the man Red Sox Nation holds most responsible for the clubhouse skullduggery which helped contribute to the team’s September swoon. He also admitted to putting on weight during the season where he appeared much heavier at the finish than he did at the start. But, when you cut through all of the BS, Beckett actually had a very good year on the mound in 2011.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHis final numbers were as follows: (13-7) with a 2.89 ERA. Those 13 wins should have been closer to 18 or 19 as Beckett received little run support in many of his starts. The only disturbing thing about his 2011 season statistically is the fact that he went (1-2) with a 5.48 ERA in September which included two bad losses to Baltimore in a critical game at the end of the season.
How Beckett performs this year is anyone’s guess but I’d bet on another solid season from him. He seems to have come to camp with a chip on his shoulder the size of his native Texas hell bent on proving all of his doubters wrong. This, I believe, will be a good thing.
And, despite the fact that some call Lester the staff’s ace, Beckett at his best still commands that title. If he remains healthy, pencil him in for 15+ wins this season with a chance to get to 20 with help from his line-up and bullpen.
JON LESTER – If Beckett is #1, then Lester is 1A in Boston’s starting rotation. Lester has now strung together 4 consecutive seasons of 15 wins or more and an ERA consistently in the low to mid 3’s. Even more important than that has been his control which is much better now than it was early in his career. Where once Lester constantly went deep into counts with opposing hitters and issued many walks, he is now more efficient with his pitches and works ahead in the count as opposed from behind.
Now 28, Lester appears ready to assume a leadership role on this team which can only help with a guy like Jason Varitek no longer around. Like Beckett, Lester has apologized for being part of the Popeye’s Trio and appears to be very motivated to put that incident behind him and give it his all in 2012.
Less than 6 years ago, Lester was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma which he defeated. Winning that battle seemed to help clarity to his life and dramatically improve his results on the mound. Last year’s late-season lapse in judgment not withstanding, Lester also seems extremely determined to make 2012 one of his best seasons yet.
CLAY BUCHHOLZ – While Beckett and Lester are the co-aces of the staff, it is Clay Buchholz who may very well hold the key to this staff’s success. Coming off of a career year in 2010 where he went (17-7) with a microscopic 2.33 ERA, Buchholz suffered a back injury which sidelined him for most of the season in 2011. Will the healthy Buchholz reappear in 2012 or will the back continue to be an issue? How that question is answered may determine whether or not the Red Sox are a legitimate playoff contender.
While Buchholz doesn’t possess the same plus fastball that a guy like Beckett has, he has better stuff than anyone on the staff. A few years ago there was some question about whether or not he had the make-up to perform in the pressure cooker that is Fenway Park. That is no longer an issue. Health is the key for Clay.
DANIEL BARD – The consensus seems to be that Bard will be given every opportunity to be the team’s #4 starter this spring. Despite some hiccups as a set-up man last season, all-in-all, he flourished in that role.
Bard does have a plus fastball. But will he be able to develop and have control of two other pitches which he will need as a starter? The fact that he is starting with such a dominant fastball should be a big help. But, unlike in his role as a set-up man, Bard will no longer be facing batters once in a game. Instead he will face hitters two or three times per game meaning he will have to have control of a variety of pitches to be effective.
In addition to adding to his repertoire, Bard will also have to improve his conditioning as well. As a starter he will eventually be relied upon to give the club 200 innings of work each season instead of the 70-75 innings he gave the club as a reliever.
Former Red Sox and current Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon predicted great things for his former teammate as a starter the other day. Then again, when was the last time we took anything Papelbon said seriously? Don’t rule out the possibility of a return to the bullpen if Bard cannot excel as a starter.
ALFREDO ACEVES – How can’t you love this guy? He seems to be a fearless competitor willing to take on any challenge thrown his way. As a reliever and a spot starter last season, Aceves was a very valuable member of this team. Even though it’s not a given that he will be the team’s fifth starter, like Bard, he will be given every opportunity to lock up that spot.
The 30-year old avoided arbitration with the club during the offseason by agreeing to a 1-year deal worth about $1.2 million. His versatility alone makes him well worth that investment.
Like Bard, developing command of multiple pitches will be the key for Aceves if he hopes to make the successful transition from reliever to full time starter. Also like Bard, don’t rule out a return to the bullpen should circumstances require such a move.
FELIX DOUBRONT, AARON COOK, VINCENTE PADILLA, ANDREW MILLER, JUNICHI TAZAWA – These five names all figure to give the Red Sox options as far as the back end of the rotation is concerned, although none are spectacular.
Doubront has shown flashes of brilliance and been bad at other times. That inconsistency will have to change if he hopes to crack the top 5.
Cook is a groundball pitcher which is very good when you’re pitching half of your games at Fenway Park. Derek Lowe is an example of a groundball pitcher who excelled in Boston. Cook may very well earn a spot in the back end of the rotation at some point this year.
Padilla is an experienced starter as well who has had an average career in his 13 seasons in the Big Leagues. At age 34 with a lot of miles on that right arm of his, who knows what to expect from the veteran? Word is that the Sox view him more as a bullpen option than anything else.
Miller has been nothing more than a tease since breaking into the Majors with Detroit 6 years ago. What makes the lefthander so frustrating is the fact that he is a walking machine. He appears to be someone who will be asked to be an emergency starter during the season but not a regular part of the rotation.
Tazawa may very well start the season pitching in Pawtucket. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010 but did return last year and was a September call-up by Boston where he made a few relief appearances. He does not appear to factor in the Big League club’s plans at the moment.
