Only Injuries Could Derail Boston Red Sox
Injuries hampered the Boston Red Sox in 2010 as fans were forced to watch in agony as division rivals Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees passed them. But with a key trade and several important free agent signings, Boston fans should be in for another enjoyable season in 2011.
Injuries to key players hampered the Red Sox in 2010. Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Josh Beckett all struggled with various ailments. Pedroia ended up having to have surgery on his foot that caused him to miss 90 games while Ellsbury missed all but part of April after injuring his ribs.
Youkilis enters the new season with his thumb seemingly 100 percent, and Becketts velocity is back where he needs it to be as well. The team thought they had enough depth last year, but they have even better depth going into the 2011 season.
Also injured in 2010 was center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who was limited to just 18 games and 78 at bats. In 2009, Ellsbury was an elite base stealer, swiping 70 bags and in 2008 he stole 50 bases. Ellsbury also hit . 301 with 8 homers and 60 RBIs in 2009 and he is still just 27 years old, so the power numbers could still increase. Going into the spring of 2011, it looked as if the rib injury that cost him all of last season was finally behind him.
Injuries were not just limited to the batters last year as the pitchers also battled injuries and subpar seasons. It began with former ace Josh Beckett. After throwing 212 innings and winning 17 games in 2009, Beckett crashed to earth last season as injuries limited him to just 6 wins and 128 innings. A return to form is key to the teams hopes in 2011.
In the bullpen, the Red Sox have added Dan Wheeler, Bobby Jenks, Denys Reyes, as well as several other left-handers vying for roster spots in spring training. Wheeler signed as a free agent from the Tampa Bay Rays and is a top middle reliever. Jenks is the former closer for the Chicago White Sox and Reyes was a key member of the St. Louis Cardinals for the last few years.
While the trade for Gonzalez and the signing of Crawford grabbed the headlines, and rightfully so, there were a few other key signings as well. The team signed reliever Dan Wheeler, formerly of the Rays. The defection of Wheeler and Crawford from the division rival Rays depletes that team while also helping the Red Sox. Wheeler has been a solid middle reliever, averaging 57 innings with a 3.13 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in the past three seasons, meaning he does not walk many batters or give up too many hits while coming into tough situations in the late innings. Wheeler should give Boston solid innings, bridging the gap between the starters and closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Fortunately, the Boston Red Sox have new emerging aces Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz to anchor the starting rotation, and they have also made key additions to the bullpen and lineup that should put them in position to win it all in 2011.
New York Yankees Lineup intros 7/30/11
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