Seeing red in the Series
Regrets? Tribe, Cubs leave Sox with a few
CLEVELAND — This World Series only looks as if it’s a best-of-seven between the Indians and Cubs.
Actually, it’s a referendum on the past, present and future of the Red Sox.
That’s what happens when our local nine was handed its lunch in the Division Series, a resounding defeat that spoiled the AL East crown and left questions — questions which will linger through the winter — about the oversight and makeup of the team. When the two best teams in baseball feature the architect of the Red Sox’ greatest era, the manager during that era and a copious number of wellknown ex-Red Sox players, the “What If?” game is unavoidable and irresistible.
It’s revisionist history to be sure, but as the saying goes, those who forget history are doomed to sign Carl Crawford again. Ranked in descending order of amount missed:
Jon Lester
Maybe David Price will find his postseason groove, or not. Unfortunately for his sake, that uncertainty stands in stark contrast to the presence of Lester, the co-MVP of the NLCS whom Cubs president Theo Epstein singled out on Saturday night as “a proven postseason wizard.” Zing! Until Price or Rick Porcello can shed their muggle skin in coming Octobers, the Red Sox have to confront the idea that a postseason resume does matter. The Red Sox tied themselves in knots about signing 30-year-old pitchers when low-balling Lester during 2014 spring training contract talks. Had the Red Sox never untied those knots and held off signing the 30-year-old Price to an even vaster contract than Lester, the second guessing would not be so fruitful. But his credentials and presence on the big stage right now are stark reminders about how the flip-flop has, so far, flopped.
Theo Epstein
If we take him at face value about wanting to change jobs every 10 years or so, Epstein probably still would have left after 2011, even if the Red Sox had not collapsed and the Cubs’ opening did not beckon. Should the Red Sox have done everything in their powers to keep him from leaving? That’s where strong personalities from the owners’ and executive suites clashed with Epstein’s own formidable ways.
Epstein made gaffes, big ones, in 2010-11, but as Terry Francona’s book spelled out, Theo bowed to pressure from above when it came to “sexy” acquisitions. That marriage was destined to fail, in hindsight.
That doesn’t mean Epstein’s vision is missed any less, especially in the wake of how 2016 ended and the mixed results from president Dave Dombrowski.
Terry Francona
Without diving into John Farrell’s strengths and weaknesses and without mentioning Bobby Valentine’s name more than this once, who could argue against Francona being a masterful manager with this current squad?
Anthony Rizzo
The Red Sox dealt a 20-year-old Rizzo to the Padres for Adrian Gonzalez. Rizzo already has surpassed Gonzalez in production through their respective 26-year-old seasons. Could the Sox have known that, and should they have held off on a trade they did need to make?
It’s too easy to declare “yes,” but if you felt that at the time, congratulations. All we know is that the vision of Rizzo as the Red Sox first baseman is like looking into the sun.
Andrew Miller
Revisionist history runs amok with Miller. There was no reason to believe he would actually become better after leaving, plus the Red Sox picked up young starter Eduardo Rodriguez for him.
Should the Red Sox have guaranteed Miller that fourth year in free agency like the Yankees did? No. The track record of relievers is so spotty, it was still a prudent call to pass.
Of course, he would have been tremendous to still have, but that’s second-guessing of the highest order.
John Lackey
For sure, we all underrated Lackey’s reliability and consistency once he came back from Tommy John surgery, and the return the Red Sox received on the trade with St. Louis is paltry. But my sense was that Lackey despised pitching in Boston. He’s better off elsewhere.
Mike Napoli
Nobody thought the Red Sox made a mistake when they traded Napoli in August 2015, when he had a .693 OPS and 99 strikeouts in 98 games. Nobody foresaw 34 home runs and 101 RBI in 2016. Bottom line is he was replaceable, although his shirtless forays through Boston are missed.
David Ross
Ross would have stayed if Lester stayed. Duh.
Coco Crisp
That homer he hit against the Red Sox in the Division Series hurt, but it looked like a blind squirrel hitting a nut over the wall to me. I’ve yet to hear anyone think this Sox outfield would be better off with Crisp in it.