Red Sox Reality Check

The season isn't over. After all, we have Stephen (don't call me J.D.) Drew back in town. What has the season taught us so far? The mediocrity of the AL East has encouraged the Sox to believe they will contend to the bitter end. Maybe they will, as that's what mediocrity does. We've learned that some of the Sox kids may not be ready, and that the everyday inexperienced shortstop can hit, at least when the weather isn't freezing. We've also learned that free furniture prospects have gone south. May 2014 looks eerily similar to September 2012. Now the Sox' sponsor is offering a free mailbox with certain purchases. We'll call it the MAIL IT IN campaign. I won't suggest that the Sox management doesn't care. But perhaps the sample size of bargain basement WAR/$ crew of Ross, Gomes, Carp, et al. approach won't even come close to working. But that's the point of "outlier" approaches. As good as the "Moneyball" theory...

The Red Sox had a flawed team. They took action. They now add insult to injury, at best disingenuous and at worst guilty of the 'Big Lie' - public relations over substance. First, how do the Red Sox see it? The team is reeling, having been annihilated by the Tigers.  Thanks to the mediocrity of the AL East, the Sox are still "in the hunt".  The Sox struggle against right-handed pitching. Overall, the offense is pathetic. The infield defense has been below average to average at best.  Fans are getting restless.  Second, what is the Sox "solution-focused" approach?  Stephen Drew improves the infield defense.  The addition of Drew eventually will likely slightly increase the offense.  The Sox stabilize the third base carousel by moving Bogaerts to third.  Third, what's the big picture or what's the harm? The Sox are seen as jerking the kids around. Telling Bogaerts that he's the 'future shortstop' is likely not true, ...