2012 Hall of Fame Ballot

Luis Tiant was passed over again in the Veterans' Committee ballot and based on the names, I think it is pretty safe to say that no former Red Sox player will be entering Cooperstown again this year.

This is the ballot, results will be announced in a few days:

JEFF BAGWELL
JEROMY BURNITZ
VINNY CASTILLA
JUAN GONZALEZ
BRIAN JORDAN
BARRY LARKIN
JAVY LOPEZ
EDGAR MARTINEZ
DON MATTINGLY
FRED MCGRIFF
MARK MCGWIRE
JACK MORRIS
BILL MUELLER
TERRY MULHOLLAND
DALE MURPHY
PHIL NEVIN
RAFAEL PALMEIRO
BRAD RADKE
TIM RAINES
TIM SALMON
RUBEN SIERRA
LEE SMITH
ALAN TRAMMELL
LARRY WALKER
BERNIE WILLIAMS
TONY WOMACK
ERIC YOUNG

Overall, I am not terribly impressed with a lot of those names. There are a couple of candidates on there that I think deserve serious consideration, but I will discuss them later.

On to the former Red Sox:

JEFF BAGWELL
Bagwell came up through the Red Sox minor league system and never actually played a game with Boston, but I thought he merited at least a little bit of discussion because he was a part of one of the more lopsided trades in recent memory. Boston traded Bagwell, a future ROY and MVP to the Astros in 1990 for reliever Larry Andersen, who admittedly pitched well, but in only 16 games before bolting as a free agent. This is Bagwell's second year on the ballot and he was unfairly looked over due to some kind of steroid conspiracy despite never being caught or otherwise implicated. Bagwell is one of the players who I think will make it in this year.

JAVY LOPEZ
Lopez is on his first year on the ballot. I can see him getting 5% to stay on the ballot, but not ever getting elected. Lopez was a power-hitting catcher for the Braves for several years, regularly hitting more than 20 home runs. One year, he mashed 43. His Red Sox career consisted of 18 forgettable games and his career was over at only 35, so he will definitely not get much consideration, but for a few years, he was one of the top power-hitting catchers in the game.

BILL MUELLER
Mueller is also on his first year on the ballot. He was a decent hitter, and a good defender at third base, but he really has no shot at sticking on the ballot past this year. Mueller came to the Red Sox in 2003 and won the batting title that year and hit two grand slams from either side of the plate in one game. He was a gritty player that was fun to watch. Unfortunately, he just did not rise to the level of a star player. Good, but only really great in 2003 when he hit .326 with 19 home runs and 85 RBIs while winning the Silver Slugger for Boston.

LEE SMITH
Smith has the most realistic chance of the three players that actually played real games for the Red Sox (Bagwell will likely get in, but as explained, does not really count). Smith is on his 10th year on the ballot and was the one-time saves record holder. Unfortunately, with Mariano Rivera way ahead of Smith now on the all-time list, it looks less and less likely that Smith will ever get in. His vote percentage dropped a little last year and he has never gotten more than 48% of the vote in any of his ten years. In fact it has stayed relatively close in the mid 40% area. I just do not see him getting in at this point, which is sad.

Two players appeared in Spring Training with the Red Sox from this list as well. Juan Gonzalez attempted to resurrect his career with the Red Sox in 2006, but never caught on. He hit 434 home runs in his career, but was basically washed up at 32 and had a poor work ethic. Tony Womack actually had a card as a Red Sox in 2004, but other than three years where he lead the league in stolen bases early in his career, he never did anything remotely interesting. My only real memory of him was the Yankees using him as an outfielder sometimes in 2005 with hilarious results.

PREDICTIONS:
Jeff Bagwell and Barry Larkin will be inducted this year. Jack Morris, Alan Trammell, Edgar Martinez, and Larry Walker will all make strides and possibly be eventually inducted.

Bernie Williams will be the only new name that will make it past the 5% mark.

Tony Womack, Phil Nevin, Eric Young, Terry Mulholland, and Brad Radke will not receive a single vote for the Hall of Fame.

Andrew Bailey Trade, News and Notes

Well, let's start with the big one. Boston acquired closer Andrew Bailey and outfielder Ryan Sweeney from the A's the other day for Josh Reddick, Miles Head, and Raul Alcantara.

Bailey is the centerpiece and immediately becomes the best option for the closer position, joining the recently acquired Mark Melancon and holdovers Bobby Jenks, Franklin Morales, and Matt Albers in a much stronger-looking bullpen. Bailey has been a two time All Star and Rookie of the Year. Last year he was 0-4 with a 3.26 ERA and 24 saves. Sweeney is a possibility for a platoon in right field. He is very good defensively, but not a very potent bat, particularly against left-handers.

Boston gave up Reddick, who could be a solid major leaguer in time, but has no real eye at the plate, Head who has power but little else, and Alcantara who is a ways away.

NEWS AND NOTES
-Boston has signed minor league relievers Doug Mathis and Jesse Carlson and re-signed Rich Hill. Mathis last appeared in the Majors in 2010 with Texas. He had decent numbers in 2009 but has not been overly impressive. Carlson also last appeared in 2010 with Toronto and was a big part of the Blue Jays pen in 2009. Hill appeared to be a decent lefty specialist before going down with an injury for Boston last year.

-Erik Bedard signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. No real loss there.

-Brett Carroll signed as a minor league free agent with the Nationals. I had no idea he was even in the Red Sox system.

-Hideki Okajima joined the Yankees on a minor league contract. Okajima has been nowhere near the pitcher he was in the last few years, so this is basically meaningless.

Red Sox Acquire Mark Melancon, Sign Nick Punto, News and Notes

Link.

The Red Sox added a piece to their bullpen by acquiring Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros for Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland. Melancon was the closer for the latter part of the season for the Astros and will likely be given the same opportunity in 2012. Melancon came up through the Yankees system and was traded to Houston in the Lance Berkman trade. Last year, he was 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 20 saves. To get him, they gave up Lowrie who always showed potential but could never stay healthy and Weiland, who could become the pitcher Melancon is now.

The Red Sox also signed utility infielder Nick Punto as a free agent. Punto is a good glove man with a good eye at the plate. He will take over Lowrie's role.

RULE 5 RESULTS
Boston lost Cesar Cabral to the Royals, who turned around and traded him to the Yankees. They selected Marwin Gonzalez and promptly traded him for former Mexican Leaguer Marco Duarte. Basically a non-story. Boston also picked up minor league catcher Gerardo Olivares from the Rays.

Red Sox Sign Kelly Shoppach

Link.

This likely means the end of Jason Varitek's career with the Red Sox, which is a shame but not surprising. Shoppach was actually Boston's top draft pick in the 2001 draft, being taken in the second round. He made his Major League debut with Boston in 2005 but was traded to Cleveland after the season as part of the Coco Crisp deal.

Since then, Shoppach has played with the Indians and Rays and was initially a decent hitter with questionable defensive skills. Last year, that reputation was reversed as he lead the league in caught-stealing percentage, but was pretty atrocious with the bat.

Shoppach will be the backup catcher next season to the improving Jarrod Saltalamacchia. With Ryan Lavarnway just about ready to step up to the Major Leagues full time next season, there is seemingly no room for Varitek to return.

News and Notes

I have been away for a little while, so let's get caught up on Red Sox news.

BOBBY VALENTINE NAMED MANAGER
This is the biggest news so far. I am kind of indifferent to managers most of the time, so I am not sure what to think.

DAVID ORTIZ ACCEPTS ARBITRATION
Ortiz will be back next year and the Red Sox will continue to negotiate on a two-year deal.

JACOBY ELLSBURY FINISHES SECOND IN A.L. M.V.P.
This was disappointing, but I saw it coming. I did not really think he had that great of a chance at the award with the way the season finished. A lot of people are upset that Justin Verlander won it due to his being a pitcher. I do not have a problem with pitchers winning the M.V.P., hell I think Pedro Martinez deserved it in 1999. So, it was a disappointment, but not surprising. Hopefully Boston will lock him up long-term now.

HALL OF FAME VETERAN'S COMMITTEE VOTE RESULTS
Ron Santo finally gets in after his unfortunate death. Luis Tiant only got three votes. I think he is a borderline case and would love to see him in, but it may never happen. He has a lot of ground to make up and several players in front of him, not to mention that his era only gets voted on once every few years.

MINOR SIGNINGS
The Red Sox have signed a number of players to minor league or split free agent contracts and have lost a few as well. The Red Sox have signed left-handed relievers Jesse Carlson and Justin Thomas, and right-handed relievers Will Inman and Khorye Spoone. They re-signed Tony Pena and Andrew Miller and Tommy Hottovy and Drew Sutton have signed elsewhere.

That's it. The offseason has been fairly stagnant for the Red Sox so far. The Marlins and Angels have both made big splashes, but Boston and the Yankees have been oddly silent.

Veteran's Committee Ballot Announced

This actually happened a few days ago, so I am a little late to posting about it. There are ten names on this year's ballot, as laid out below:

Buzzie Bavasi
Ken Boyer
Charlie Finley
Gil Hodges
Jim Kaat
Minnie Minoso
Tony Oliva
Allie Reynolds
Ron Santo
Luis Tiant

Finley was an owner for the Athletics and Bavasi was a GM. Obviously the player I am most interested in is Tiant. I looked at his Hall of Fame potential some time ago and came out somewhat borderline. I hope he gets in, but I would not be shocked if he does not. Santo seems to me to be the most likely to get in, partially due to the dearth of third basemen in the Hall.

See Ya Jonathan Papelbon

Link.

This actually does make me a little sad. Apparently Paps is on his way to Philadelphia for four years and $50 million. Daniel Bard is first in line to become Boston's closer, although the Red Sox will look at Ryan Madson and Heath Bell. I think it came down to Boston was simply not willing to give Papelbon that much money. I can't really blame them. Boston now has an easy decision to make by offering arbitration to Papelbon so they can likely get Philadelphia's first round draft pick next year as well as a supplemental pick. Not bad.

2011 Silver Sluggers

American League
C - Alex Avila, Tigers
1B - Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox
2B - Robinson Cano, Yankees
SS - Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians
3B - Adrian Beltre, Rangers
OF - Jose Bautista, Blue Jays
OF - Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
OF - Curtis Granderson, Yankees
DH - David Ortiz, Red Sox

National League
C - Brian McCann, Braves
1B - Prince Fielder, Brewers
2B - Brandon Phillips, Reds
SS - Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B - Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
OF - Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
OF - Matt Kemp, Dodgers
OF - Ryan Braun, Brewers
P - Daniel Hudson, Diamondbacks

This one was a surprise. I predicted one Red Sox Silver Slugger, that being Ortiz. I thought Miguel Cabrera would beat out Adrian Gonzalez and that they would try to separate the outfield positions like they did with the Gold Gloves and therefore Granderson winning in center field. Not because he was clearly a better hitter, all around Ellsbury was better, but that the voters would not be able to ignore Granderson's home runs and RBIs.

2011 Rawling's Gold Glove Awards

American League:
C - Matt Wieters, Orioles
1B - Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox
2B - Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox
SS - Erick Aybar, Angels
3B - Adrian Beltre, Rangers
RF - Nick Markakis, Orioles
CF - Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox
LF - Alex Gordon, Royals
P - Mark Buerhle, White Sox

National League
C - Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B - Joey Votto, Reds
2B - Brandon Phillips, Reds
SS - Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B - Placido Polanco, Phillies
RF - Andre Ethier, Dodgers
CF - Matt Kemp, Dodgers
LF - Gerardo Parra, Diamondbacks
P - Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

So, as I predicted, three Red Sox won a Gold Glove, and all three arguably deserved it. Pedroia also won the Fielding Bible award for his position this year. So, it was a good year for this award for the Red Sox. It is the first time three Red Sox won the award in the same year since 1979 when Dwight Evans, Fred Lynn, and Rick Burleson all won it.

Some Quick Notes

I have been pretty bad about posting lately, and I meant to keep up with the news in the offseason. Anyway...

-Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on their World Series win and to David Freese for being named MVP.

-Ben Cherington was officially named the Red Sox general manager. Now it is time to retool.

-Marco Scutaro's option was picked up so he will be back next year.

-The team declined the options on Dan Wheeler and Scott Atchison.

Bill Buckner

A few days ago was the 25th Anniversary of the infamous Game 6 of the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and Mets. Of course that was the game in which Bill Buckner let Mookie Wilson's groundball roll through his legs, scoring the winning run from second base. Ultimately the Red Sox lost the World Series despite being just one strike away in Game 6, a pain the Texas Rangers just learned this week.

Anyway, this is obviously a very famous play in World Series history and has become the major event Buckner is known for, which is a shame. Buckner actually was a decent player, even in his time with the Red Sox. He had his best years with the Dodgers and Cubs, but he was a decent player with the Red Sox.

Buckner played two stints for the Red Sox, first from 1984 through the first half of 1987, and then returning for 22 games in early 1990. Buckner was acquired from the Cubs in a deal for Dennis Eckersley and Mike Brumley. Eckersley actually did not develop his Hall of Fame career until later and Brumley never did much in the Major Leagues at all.

Buckner's first year in Boston was not terribly good as he hit only .278/.321/.410 with 11 home runs and 67 RBIs. But his 1985 was his best season with the Red Sox as he batted .299/.324/.447 with 16 home runs and 110 RBIs. He lead the team in stolen bases with 18, a far cry from his much more plodding play in 1986 due to his surgically repaired ankles. 1986 was another good year as he hit .267/.311/.421 but contributed 18 home runs and 102 RBIs. In 1987, his numbers dropped a great amount, possibly due to the pressure from the fans, but he was also 36 years old.

Buckner returned in 1990 and hit an inside the park home run, but that was about it for highlights. His career was over later in the year.

But the one thing most people remember about Bill Buckner with the Red Sox is that one error. It is a shame.

Underrated Player of the Year: 1999

In this series, I look at one player per year from 1991-the present who came out of nowhere or had a great year that no one really noticed or expected.1999 - BRIAN DAUBACH
Brian Daubach came out of nowhere. He played in just ten games at the Major League level prior to 1999 when he played for the Marlins the prior year and did very little in 17 plate appearances. So it was a move with no fanfare when Boston signed him as a free agent in December of 1998. Who knew that the 27 year old rookie would be the team's principal first baseman and a contender for the A.L. Rookie of the Year by the end of 1999?

Daubach went on a tear late in the season and ended up leading A.L. rookies in on base percentage and slugging percentage while hitting 21 home runs and driving in 73. Daubach was not too bad in the field either and would actually improve over the course of his career.

Daubach never really got the attention he deserved due to his status as a former scab player, but 1999 was the beginning of a four-year stretch where he hit 20 plus home runs and drove in more than 70 runs each year as Boston's first baseman.

Ben Cherington Named General Manager

Well so long to Theo Epstein, who will be missed. Ben Cherington takes over the reins as G.M. for the Red Sox. Hopefully his years of apprenticeship under Epstein will pay off and the organization will not miss a beat. Hopefully.

In other news, John Lackey will have Tommy John surgery meaning he will be out for the season. Which makes two Boston starting pitchers in the last year with Matsuzaka being the other one. Hopefully the Red Sox will be able to fill in the rotation behind Beckett, Lester, and Buchholz. Perhaps Wakefield will be back next year.

Underrated Player of the Year: 1998

In this series, I look at one player per year from 1991-the present who came out of nowhere or had a great year that no one really noticed or expected. 

1998 - JIM CORSI 

Jim Corsi came to the Red Sox before the 1997 season, in what was actually his second tour of duty with the organization. He was in their minor league system in 1985 through 1986 before being released and catching on with Oakland. Corsi was a decent bullpen option in 1997 but was even better in 1998 and was the unheralded hero of the relief corps, which already featured Tom Gordon and Dennis Eckersley. 

 

Corsi was a 1.3 WAR relief pitcher in 1998, going 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA and 49 strikeouts versus 23 walks in 66 innings over 59 games. Corsi finished nine games for Boston and notched two saves. His WHIP was a decent 1.227. 

Corsi did return in 1999, but at 37, he was ineffective and ultimately released. He found his way into the Baltimore bullpen and for 13 games was relatively decent, but that was it for his Major League career.

David Ortiz Wins Roberto Clemente Award

Another award went to a Red Sox player recently as David Ortiz won the Roberto Clemente Award, an award given to a player who excels off the field. Ortiz is very active in the community and has his own charitable fund which helps children receive medical care in the Dominican Republic and United States. It is the second year in a row a Red Sox player received this award. Tim Wakefield won it last year.

Now, the question becomes, do the Red Sox bring him back next year?

Jacoby Ellsbury Named AL Comeback Player of the Year

Well deserved if you ask me. After playing only 18 games last year, he rose to superstar status while becoming the Red Sox first ever 30-30 man. He may win a few more awards by the time all is said and done this year.

Underrated Player of the Year: 1997

In this series, I look at one player per year from 1991-the present who came out of nowhere or had a great year that no one really noticed or expected.1997 - JEFF FRYE
Jeff Frye played the most games of his career in 1997. For the first time in his career, he was looked at as a regular player from the very beginning. Frye was the Red Sox second-baseman entering the season and he held on to the position for a large chunk of the season while also filling in at other positions on occasion.

Frye was also pretty good with the bat that season as he hit .312/.352/.433 and even stole 19 bases. Frye was an extremely integral part of the Red Sox lineup that season as he provided a very good bat with the occasional pop, speed on the basepaths, and versatility in the field.

Underrated Player of the Year: 1996

In this series, I look at one player per year from 1991-the present who came out of nowhere or had a great year that no one really noticed or expected.1996 - REGGIE JEFFERSON
In 1996, Reggie Jefferson finally broke through when he was given the opportunity. Jefferson received a lot of at bats at designated hitter and in left field, covering for injuries to Jose Canseco and Mike Greenwell, respectively. Jefferson proved to be one of the most consistent hitters in the Red Sox lineup that season. His season lessened the impact of the trade of Canseco and the retirement of Greenwell after the season.

Jefferson contributed a slash line of .347/.388/.593 with 19 home runs and 74 runs batted in. It was Jefferson's best season of his career. He became the full time designated hitter the next year as his defensive abilities were highly suspect.

Underrated Player of the Year: 1995

In this series, I look at one player per year from 1991-the present who came out of nowhere or had a great year that no one really noticed or expected.1995 - STAN BELINDA
The 1995 season saw a lot of changes for the Red Sox. They brought in new players at second base, catcher, right field, and designated hitter, as well as overhauling their rotation and bullpen, and letting young players take over at third base and center field. Stan Belinda was a part of the new look bullpen when he was signed as a free agent in April of 1995.

Prior to joining the Red Sox, Belinda was reasonably successful with the Pirates and the Royals as a reliever, but he arguably had his best year with the Red Sox. Belinda lead Red Sox pitchers with 63 games pitched in the shortened 1995 season. He struck out 57 in 69.2 innings versus 28 walks. Belinda finished the year at 8-1 with 10 saves and a 3.10 ERA solidifying the bullpen for the AL East champs. Together with Mike Maddux and Rheal Cormier, the Red Sox setup men in 1995 were the best group the team had in years.

2011 Season Wrap-Up Pt. 4

For the last post, I will look at the other pitchers.

SCOTT ATCHISON
I expected Atchison to be around a lot more than he was, but he was blessed (cursed?) with remaining options so he could be shuttled between Pawtucket and Boston as often as management wanted. He did make it into 17 games in about six different stints with the Red Sox, with an ERA of 3.26 and 17 strikeouts versus only six walks in 30.1 innings. Not bad. I have no idea if he will be back next year or not.

MICHAEL BOWDEN
Bowden is another player who appears to be running out of time to make a difference on the big league club. He has now played parts of four seasons in Boston, never making it into more than 15 games in a season. He is still relatively young, but I think it is time to have him stick in Boston or trade him. Enough jerking him around back and forth.

FELIX DOUBRONT
Doubront apparently did not show up to Spring Training in shape this year and he struggled some in the minors. By the end of the season though, he was in Boston. Perhaps next year is the year that Doubront makes it to Boston full time. He is a left-hander and I previously mentioned Morales might be able to make it as a starter. Doubront has that ability as well.

RICH HILL
Rich Hill completely overhauled his pitching motion and was getting terrific results. The left-hander pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and three walks, while striking out twelve. Then he got hurt and his season was over. He was making progress, hopefully Boston sticks with him a little longer.

TOMMY HOTTOVY
I had no idea Hottovy was even still in the Red Sox system until I saw that he was called up to Boston this summer. Hottovy has languished since 2003 in the minor leagues. His persistence finally paid off and he was brought up when Hill went down with an injury. However, he was not terribly impressive, with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP, so he likely will not be back.

ANDREW MILLER
The 2006 first round pick of the Tigers has yet to harness his awesome ability, but he did show some flashes this year. Miller had a few good starts for the Red Sox, but far too many where he simply walked too many batters. It is still too early to give up on him completely though, he is still just 26. If he can harness his command, he could make the starting rotation next year. But that is a pretty big "if".

TREVER MILLER
Miller was acquired towards the end of the season as veteran left-handed relief. He pitched just two innings, without giving up a run, hit, or a walk. Not bad, but it's hard to imagine him coming back next year.

HIDEKI OKAJIMA
Okajima lost favor pretty quickly in Boston and it looks like his Red Sox career, if not his Major League career, is over. Okajima notoriously was upset that Boston sent him down to the minors and refused to come back to Boston when they attempted to recall him. He demanded a trade a couple of times. Too bad it had to end this way, as I really liked him coming into the season.

DENNYS REYES
Reyes broke camp with the Red Sox then had four miserable games to start the season. He was sent to the minors and never returned.

JUNICHI TAZAWA
Tazawa made it all the way back from Tommy John surgery and made it to the Red Sox bullpen by the end of the year. He has pretty good stuff and could be ready to make an impact in the rotation or the bullpen next year.

KYLE WEILAND
I am sure I am not alone in suggesting that Weiland was rushed to the Major Leagues this year. He was simply not ready to face big league hitters. That said, he could be ready to be a setup man next year in Boston as he did perform well in that role late in the season, or he could be trade bait.

RANDY WILLIAMS
Another left-hander that pitched in fewer than ten games as Boston was looking for a good southpaw option in the bullpen. Williams did not fare much better than Reyes, Okajima, or Hottovy. He likely will not be back next year.