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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Friday, March 29, 2024

Time to rebuild...again

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The World Series started last night, and you might have noticed that the Boston Red Sox are not in it. If you're Ben Cherington, general manager of the Olde Towne Team, how do you re-tool to give them a shot at making next year's Fall Classic? What do you do?

Because let's face it: You've got a lot of work to do. Your team just endured its second 90-loss season and last place finish in three years under your watch. It missed the postseason despite opening the season with baseball's fourth-highest payroll at just a shade under $163 million.You kept the 2013 World Series champions largely intact, then spent the entire season trading them away. You have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball, but there's an odd mix of old veterans and emerging talent at the major league level, with few players in their athletic primes. You just dismantled your starting rotation to the point where only one-fifth of last year's original rotation remains: the erratic and injury-prone Clay Buchholz.

First thing's first: You take care of that starting rotation. You go get James Shields, a battle-tested big game pitcher with proven success in the American League (AL) East. You make a run at Max Scherzer, who pitched about as well this year as he did when he won the AL Cy Young award last year. You try to trade for Cole Hamels and/or Jeff Samardzija, both borderline aces. Ideally, you land at least two top-of-the-rotation arms.

Then you try to add some bats, especially in the outfield.  Yoenis Cespedes can hit, but with one year remaining on his contract he might be worth trading.Allen Craig was awful last year (.594 OPS), and shouldn't be counted on to rebound given his age (30) and injury history. Neither should Shane Victorino, who'll be 34 and coming off a year in which he played just 30 games. You're going to have to commit to Rusney Castillo in center after inking him to a seven-year, $72.5 million deal this past summer, but don't be surprised if he struggles in his first full major league season. It would definitely be wise to invest in a corner outfielder who can hit, somebody like Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, Alex Rios or Michael Cuddyer.

You're also probably going to need a third baseman, because Will Middlebrooks just isn't going to cut it. He's batted a combined .213/.265/.364 over the past two years with almost five times as many strikeouts (168) as walks (35). Those numbers would be unacceptable for Brooks Robinson, let alone a mediocre defender such as Middlebrooks. Xander Bogaerts got some reps there last year, but give him another crack at shortstop, his natural position. Brock Holt was awesome there (and everywhere, for that matter), but has fluke written all over him given how much he tailed off in the second half (.826 OPS through July 21, .530 after). There are quality options out there, as Pablo Sandoval and Chase Headley will be free agents, and Adrian Beltre and Josh Donaldson might be available via trade. Third base isn't a priority, but could definitely use an upgrade.

Essentially, you do what you did last time you rebuilt (and assembled a World Series-winning roster in the process). You spend, but you spend wisely. You pursue established veteran talent but avoid long-term deals to players over 30, which means you stay away from former Sox ace Jon Lester. You had your chance to sign him to a hometown discount, and you blew it with that laughable opening offer of $70 million for four years. You tap into that loaded farm system to package prospects into trade offers.

You have the luxury of being a big market team teeming with minor league talent. All you have to do is use that to your advantage.