<img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-10487" style="margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" title="24 runs scored, seven runs allowed in the last two days. Not even John Lackey (obligatory cheap shot!) can put a damper on those numbers.
Amid the rumors that GM Theo Epstein may be a fit to become the new GM of the Chicago Cubs, the Red Sox have shown him why Boston is the place to be. While the team has seen some problems come about in the recent months — Clay Buchholz‘s and David Ortiz out with injuries, Carl Crawford‘s season-long slump, rotation woes, etc — we look up at the standings and, more often than not, see a big zero in the games behind column. Over the past two nights, with Ortiz back in the lineup and Carl Crawford surging, having hit safely in seven straight with two home runs, two stolen bases and five RBI over that span, the Sox have shown everyone, including Theo, that there may not be a better job in baseball than the GM of the Boston Red Sox.
The Sox stand atop the AL East with the best record in baseball and the most runs scored of any team, American or National League. That prolific offense, on display the past two nights in Arlington, was exactly what the front office envisioned when this team was constructed over the offseason. What’s even better? Almost everyone in last night’s starting lineup should be back for the 2012 season, if not beyond.
Consider what the offense had done to-date and then consider the more than likely chance that Carl Crawford has much (MUCH!) better numbers in 2012 and for years to come.
The rotation has been an issue, but even with the injury to Buchholz and the overall frustration of watching John Lackey toe the rubber, there is Josh Beckett, who would be very strong contender for the CY Young Award if it not for a lack of innings pitched and that Verlander fella in Detroit, who has been pretty good. He’s signed through 2014 to a deal that will pay him $15.75M per season. Beckett wasn’t even projected as the Sox best pitcher coming into the season. That title was bestowed upon John Lester, who, if not for Beckett’s incredible performance, would hands-down be the best pitcher in Boston. You think Jered Weaver signed a team-friendly deal in Anaheim? Lester is signed through 2014 and will only cost $32.25M over the next three seasons.
Also, I must admit, for as much grief as John Lackey has been given this season — rightfully so, due to his ERA reaching toward 6.00 — he has posted a respectable 2.28 K/BB rate on the year, including only 2.2 BB/9 since the all-star break. And, as has been the case over the past few years, his velocity has gained strength as the season has progressed.
While bullpens tend to turnover quite a bit and the Sox may allow their long-time closer, Jonathan Papelbon, to walk this offseason, they have the incumbent already in place. Daniel Bard has been almost as dominant as Papelbon has this season and he was certainly better last season. All the worries about Bard’s inconsistent command/control are all but gone now, as he has only walked 15 batters in 60 innings to this point in the season. Even his once worrisome splits against left-handed batters have been resolved this season, as he has posted a 3.83 K/BB rate and 3.14 FIP against them so far in 2011.
If Theo were to leave this gem of a team and town for the friendly confines on the north side of Chicago, he would immediately run into a problem upon arrival: Alfonso Soriano.
Ahhhh yes, Alfonso Soriano. He of the .286 OBP and 0.9 fWAR this season. He of the contract that will pay him $18M annually through 2014, with and full no-trade clause, by the way. Even Alex Anthopoulos couldn’t move that contract.
Soriano is a contractual problem, but every team seems to have one. John Lackey’s $15.25M per year through 2014 doesn’t exactly look like a good deal either.
The Cubs, like the Sox, are not afraid to spend money. They opened 2011 with a payroll about $30M less than the Red Sox and are sure to be major players in the Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder sweepstakes this offseason.
In other words, it’s not a bad situation for a GM to walk into, but leave Boston for it?
Oh yeah, have you checked in on the Cubs’ farm system lately? It may be Brett Jackson, who doesn’t project to be a star-level player, and perhaps nothing else.
Even more rehab work.
Look, the Cubs are a storied franchise, just like the Red Sox. They play in a historic park, one of the gems of baseball, just like the Red Sox. Chicago is a great town, just like Boston and both franchises are willing to spend money to win. If I’m Rays GM Andrew Friedman, I’m calling the Cubs and saying, “Take me! Take me now!” I’m also calling Theo and reminding him just how good he has it in Boston, a place where he is set up to succeed for years to come.