Ok now that it's a day later and most of the beatoff c-unt fans are back to forgetting about baseball, here's my take on the season and opinions moving forward.
The Sox were in an easy division for the 2nd half, that's true. The first half of the season they had to actually to try to be in 1st. That being said they were swept by Houston at home but Houston was on a huge win streak, maybe like a 10 game?. When the Indians gave up the Sox started to coast. They played some good teams well though: Cardinals, Rays and Red Sox. At times they looked like an elite team and times they looked completely out classed. This is a young team and the core has not peaked so there is room to grow.
Pitching:
-Resign Lynn, hands down. Dude was a horse and should be in the Cy Young conversation. He fizzled out a little at the end but this is the first 162 game season after a shortened season last year. Lynn is singed for the next couple years. Sox already extended him.
-Cease is evolving into a front line starter that needs more experience. He was at the top of the AL in strike outs. He needs to learn to pitch through struggles and keep limiting walks. Agree
-Giolito is an enigma. He went from garbage to elite and has settled back to mediocre. He has the stuff to be an ace but stands in his own way. Agree
-Keuchel I'm not so much worried about. He is getting old and needs to adapt his game. As a soft tossing lefty and veteran I expect him to re-evaluate this offseason and be at least serviceable next year. He may be a 5th starter and not make the post season roster again but who knows, he finished with a sub 2 ERA in 2020. Dont agree. I think his best is behind him.
-Rodon should be gone. Even though he finally lived up to potential throughout the year he did what he always does, fall apart at the end. That's a big problem when you are needed in the playoffs. If he was August Rodon, he would have started game 1. I dont think the Sox even persue signing him. He's been injury plagued his whole career.
Bullpen:
The only guys I want back are Hendricks, Crochet, Tapera and Lopez. Kopech should move to the starting rotation. Bummer, gone. Kimbrel, gone. If he can't pitch in any other roll than closer he's a weak bitch. We need to add pieces through out the off season but we already have a lights out closer so it shouldn't be hard. Semi agree. Lockdown closers are hard to find. Hendricks came out in public and said he absolutely wouldnt mind pithing setup. Kimbrel is obviously fragile, but it's hard to argue how good he was before the trade. If Hendricks can pitch 8th and Kimbrel 9th, the Sox would have and awesome back end if Kimbrel returns to form.
The offense was so hot and cold. They look like shit for a couple games then score 10+ runs. If they live up to potential they are as dangerous as anyone in the AL. Grandal is our catcher, I have no issue with him. He will have high OBP but low BA. Abreu is declining but still produces well. He will play 1st and DH. Vaughn will most likely get more games at 1st and will only improve from his rookie season. Hernandez has been garbage. He hit 19 HRs with Cleveland and 3 with the Sox in a more hitter friendly park. He has an option, I expect them to decline it. Anderson is a fucking stud and will win a Gold Glove and another batting title. Has anyone seen Moncada??? After his break out in 2019 he got Covid and has been a replacement level player. He seems disinterested and thinks he's an international pop star. Burger showed promise when he came up for a cup of coffee so I'm not opposed to dealing Moncada. Both Eloy and Robert look like superstars. Unfortunately they missed most of the season. I fully expect both to be 40+ HR guys in the near future. Garcia is a good utility player but he needs to be played as such. He is an infield first guy, he should not be an everyday outfielder. Engel is perfect for a 4th outfielder. Gavin Sheets can slot into DH as he had a good rookie campaign. Collins is your back up catcher but I'm not opposed to a quality veteran back up. Pretty spot on.
So now, what needs to happen. Well since they traded Madrigal in what turned out to be a bad trade, they need a 2nd baseman. I'd love to see Semien come back but he has said he wants to go back to SS. There's other names out there like Josh Harrison, who I wanted the Sox to trade for initially, and Escobar. They also need a RF. The obvious answer here is Nick Castellanos. Scott Boras is his agent so he won't come cheap. His defense is also not great. Some in house options are promoting Cespedes mid season. He had a pretty decent season in A and AA ball last year. Also Adolfo is out of options and deserves a short. Vaughn can play a little RF as can Gavin Sheets.
All in all I think a couple small additions at 2nd and RF as well a couple bullpen pieces will do. The young guys need to progress and they need to figure out the right line up. The window is open now, getting beat as bad as they did in ALDS could be a great motivator. I expect a hungrier team in 2022. 95+ wins and hopefully they learn to turn it up when needed. ALCS, possible WS appearance. Definitely need some guys to take major steps forward. We'll see...
