Today, Dayn Parry of Fox Sports came out with a ranking of the best GM’s in baseball. And where did our boy rank? According to Parry, Epstein’s currently the 5th best GM baseball. I agree with him in that small market GM’s such as Terry Ryan (Twins) and Billy Beane (A’s) deserve more credit. Because of the resources available to them, their task is more difficult. That shouldn’t take anything away from the stellar job that our “Wonder Boy” has done though. I was surprised to hear quite a bit of criticism of such a high rating. What ever happened to, “In Theo We Trust?” We miss the playoffs once during Epstein’s tenure with the Red Sox and faith in him is vanquished? I hope that isn’t really the case. Let’s remember what Epstein’s done for the Red Sox in the past 4 years. He’s made the playoffs three quarters of the time, even winning a World Series in only his second year as a general manager for any team. Most importantly, he made the Red Sox farm system one of the better ones in the majors and it’s finally starting to pay off. Let’s not forget, he’s still only 33 years old. Even with all the success he’s had so far he’s still just learning the ropes.
With the bitter end to last year’s season it’s easy to forget the success the Red Sox enjoyed. The Red Sox were in fact in first place for the vast majority of the season. They held the top position in the division almost every single day from April 6th to August 3rd. It wasn’t until the 13th Red Sox player, Jason Varitek, was placed on the disabled list that the Red Sox gave up first place. From that point on, the season was rather painful. The only highlight of the last third of 2006 may have been the great look we got at our minor league system.
The degree to which the Red Sox were hindered by injuries last year can be easily demonstrated by taking a look at player’s win share totals. Players such as Varitek, Crisp and Wakefield, who missed significant parts of the season took large hits to their win shares. Those three players had a combined win share total of 23 last year. The year before, in which they enjoyed relatively healthy seasons, that win share total was more than twice as much (53). Let’s not forget the task Epstein undertook in last year’s offseason. He had to overhaul an entire infield that was ineffective and on the decline. Before the season began, it was considered a rebuilding season. Well, a “retooling” season according to the Red Sox. The Red Sox were picked to finish 3rd before the season began. Their long stretch at the top of the division was rather amazing, even if they couldn’t keep it up. Now, with the Red Sox sufficiently “retooled,” Epstein’s primed them for another run at the playoffs.
A lot of fans are quick to criticize the deal he’s working on for J.D. Drew but he’s had one of the better offseasons of the winter. If he is able to somehow land Drew and protect the team from Drew’s injury history it will be even more successful. It is after all Drew’s shoulder that most fans have a problem with. If Drew has a season like he did last year, which seems rather typical for the right fielder, he should have a win share total around the 19 he had in 2006. That would provide significant help to the Red Sox offense. Drew’s one of the best defensive right fielders in the game as well. Still, he’s only a small part of Epstein’s offseason.
Julio Lugo, who Epstein also added, could be even more of a boost to the team than Drew. He possibly be the most underrated addition to the team. Last time Lugo played a full season at short he compiled 24 win shares in the AL East. A healthy Crisp could be an even bigger boost than Drew as well. Last time Crisp was healthy he put up 20 win shares. Epstein has quietly put together one of the most well-rounded and potentially productive lineups that the Red Sox have had in the past few years. Between Lugo, Drew, Crisp and Pedroia, I can’t remember the last time a Red Sox lineup had this much speed. Although his bullpen isn’t anything special, he has managed to put together perhaps the most solid rotation of his career. Maybe he’s looking to prove himself to Red Sox Nation once again after the most criticized season of his tenure. For those of you who aren’t quite convinced that 2004 wasn’t a fluke, stay tuned. With everything he’s done so far, don’t you think he deserves a little more of our patience? Perhaps he set the bar too high in the first place. That’s the only reason I can think of for why Red Sox fans may have lost any faith in him. After all, he’s still one of the best GM’s in the game. If you don’t believe Dayn Perry, just look at his track record.
