To keep a long story short, it’s over. One of the most bizarre seasons of Red Sox baseball I can remember officially came to an end on Sunday, with their 84th and final win thanks to a walkoff hit by Devers to drive in Mookie against the Orioles, in potentially what was his last game as a member of the Red Sox. If you told me back in April the crowd at Fenway would be celebrating a win at home against the Orioles in a meaningless September game like it was a Game 7 World Series victory, I’d call you crazy. Instead, I was one of those crazy people who was brought to tears (yes, I really did cry) watching Mookie slide into home in the bottom of the 9th.
It’s hard to explain, but even after a rather abysmal season, the entire park was flooded with emotions. Part of it of course was from disappointment. Knowing no more Red Sox baseball will be played at Fenway again until April 2nd next year. After we walked out of the park, it would be the last time for a while for both the fans and the players. For some players, it was the last time ever they’d be leaving the Red Sox clubhouse. I’m trying not to get in my feels while writing this, but it was a really bittersweet victory knowing the team we have grown to love like our own family, through all the highs and all the lows, just played what was more than likely their last game all together. Even if the magic of the 2018 Red Sox wore off, I still love that team like they’re my own blood.
At the beginning of the season, I wrote an article about the rather rough start the Sox got off to in April. “It’s only April,” is what everyone told us. As annoying as it was, it was true. As I’ve said time and time before, I’m a firm believer in blind optimism. Though the Sox came into 2019 with essentially the same exact team as 2018, minus what proved to be a costly absence with no appointed closer, something just wasn’t clicking like it was the year before. Still, baseball is played almost every day from April to September guaranteed, and I wasn’t going to let a bad few weeks ruin my hopes for the World Series champions. I even said, “If a team can win 108 games in a regular season, they can comeback from a 3-9 record as of April 10th. It really isn't the end of the world, it just feels like it. And if you don’t believe in that, maybe you’re just not as pathetic as I am and if that’s the case, continue on with your incessant bashing. Just know I’ve got the screenshots saved and when the turnaround comes, I'll happily call you out.” As it turns out, it looks like everyone can call me out instead. Go ahead, @OldTakesExposed me for all I care. There reached a point in this season where you could just feel it – this wasn’t the year. And that’s okay. I get we all want to go all the way, and it sure as hell is a lot more fun to watch every game pitch for pitch when they’re winning, but every year is not 2004, or 2007, or 2013, and certainly not 2018. Suck it up. There was still plenty of good to come from this team.
The Good
Yeah there won't be any postseason highlights this year, but this team still had plenty of personal high points this year. Many of these guys had career years and breakout years, and you can be as down on the Sox as you want, but these guys deserve some recognition.
Rafael Devers. Talk about a breakout year. Devers has set countless records this season and has broken out into the star the Sox knew he'd be in just his second full season in the major league. He made his debut in July 2017, and has been an offensive threat even since. In 2018 he became a key asset to the explosive 2018 Red Sox offense, though he struggled defensively at third base, with 24 errors committed and an RDRS of -13. Additionally, Devers also struggled in 2018 with strikeouts, racking up 121 strikeouts last year with 450 at-bats. In 2019, Rafael Devers came back smarter and played harder than ever. He put in work in the offseason, working alongside teammate and vet JD Martinez to work on his hitting. Everything he did right last year, he improved on. He played the most games out of everyone on the team this year, playing in 156 games, and reduced his strikeouts to 119 in 647 at-bats. He also proved to be much smarter defensively. Though he committed 22 errors this year, keep in mind he also played 35 more games than he did last year. His RDRS this year lowered to a -6. Though his defense still needs work...he is 22 years old. I cannot stress this enough. The man is 22 YEARS OLD. Though there's just no argument for anyone besides Mike Trout for AL MVP, the fact Devers' name has even be thrown around for the title says all you need to know about Boy Wonder. Rafael Devers is the future of the Red Sox, and the league should be very scared.
Christian Vazquez. You got one in a breakout year, and one in a career year. If you were a casual fan of the Sox before who just started getting into them more seriously this season, you would think to yourself, "how the heck have I not heard of this guy before?" Well to put into perspective for you, prior to 2019, Vazquez hit a career-high season for home runs in 2017, with 5. In 2018, he hit 3. How many did he hit this year? 23. Twenty-freaking-three. THIS MAN IS A CATCHER! Do we not all realize how lucky we are have to a catcher who out-of-nowhere caught this offensive fire? I don't want to harp on stat comparisons, but it's absolutely insane!
2018: 251 at bats, 52 hits, 24 runs, 10 doubles, 0 triples, 3 home runs, 13 walks, .207 BA, and .540 OPS.
2019: 482 at bats, 133 hits, 66 runs, 26 doubles, 1 triple, 23 home runs, 33 walks, .276 BA, and .798 OPS.
....that man can HIT! Not just that, he's shown off his versatility this season, playing 10 games at first base with some impressive defense, as well as 2 games at second base. Very rarely do you see a catcher with this kind of offensive power and versatility. Vaz has been a beacon of light in a dull season, and it makes me happy to see at least someone had fun.
Eduardo Rodriguez. I am so darn happy for Eduardo Rodriguez. ERod has been in the majors since 2015 when he was just 22 starting out for the Red Sox. He's always been slotted in as the 5th guy in the rotation, but this year, he earned the nickname Eddie Aces and for good reason. It feels like every spring training we're told about how great ERod is looking, and how this is going to be his breakout year. ERod has always been a good pitcher in my eyes. His main struggle has always been the ability to last long in a game, last year starting in 23 games pitching 129.2 innings, averaging 5.6 innings per game. This year, he led the league in 34 games started and pitched 203.1 innings, lasting an average of 6 innings per game. Though this seems like a minor improvement, it's just one of many ERod made this year. It's no secret the Red Sox starting rotation this year lacked consistency, an issue that stemmed from injury amongst starters like Sale, Eovaldi, and Price. Additionally, with Rick Porcello in a slumping season, Eddie needed to step up more than ever, and he certainly did that. His ability to go deeper into games earned him 19 wins for the season, putting him at #3 for most wins this season. Not too bad, considering #1 is Justin Verlander, #2 is Gerrit Cole, and #4 is Stephen Strasburg. Imagine going back in a time a year ago and someone telling you Eduardo Rodriguez would join Verlander and Cole in the top 3 most wins for the season?! Sure, ERod for sure received the most run support out of all the Sox starters, averaging like, I don't know, 42 runs in his starts while everyone else got like, 3, but still. ERod is the youngest Sox starter and had the largest workload this year by far. He was able to stay healthy, last longer into games, and showed maturity on the mound. His command and pitch-sequencing has surely improved from last year, and I genuinely always felt comfortable watching him pitch. I remember in spring training Alex Cora said he had been pushing ERod harder than most and the results were coming, and everyone sort of brushed it off. Again, that's what we've been told every year. But to say ERod had his breakout season finally is an understatement - he emerged as the ace when we needed one most.
Xander Bogaerts. After signing a 7-year contract extension with the Sox, extending Bogaerts proved to be one of Dombrowski's smartest moves in his time with the team. In what was a career year for the prince of Aruba, Bogey proved to be a standout player both on and off the field. On the field this season, he joins his best friend Devers as being the first set of Red Sox teammates to have 50 doubles and 30 homers in one season. Both Bogey and Devers also drove in over 100 runs this season. Bogaerts is the first Red Sox shortstop to hit 30-100 since Nomar in 1998. His 50 doubles and 30 homers also put him in the company of ARod as the only two shortstops to do so in one season. It's amazing to see Bogaerts, who just turned 27 years old, coming into this veteran role already. Though his incredible 2018 season flew under the radar in the glory of the 2018 Red Sox, he somehow managed to comeback this year with an even better season. However for me, what I think really stands out about Xander Bogaerts this year is the player he has become off the field. He's become a leader on the field and in the clubhouse. Bogaerts signed an extension with the club at a discount because he wants to be in Boston. He loves the city, loves the organization, and wants to win for the Red Sox, not just himself. If you speak to any employees within the organization, they have nothing but high praise for the mature, kind, and polite 27-year old. He is always accountable, even when he doesn't have to be - Bogaerts has consistently been outside of his locker ready to take questions from the media, whether it was after a win or a loss. He is one of the most humble players in baseball, and truly cares for the organization. No matter what happens this offseason, it's comforting to know this team is lucky enough to have Bogaerts locked up for a long time. His talent and leadership is worth a lot more than people realize.
Brandon Workman. Say what you will about the bullpen, and though they certainly were not perfect, Brandon Workman nearly was. Workman ranked amongst the top in almost every category for relievers this season, and yet no one seems to be talking about it. He ended the season with a 1.88 ERA, putting him at #3 in ERA in the American League relievers. In 71.2 innings pitched this season, he allowed only 18 runs all year. ALL YEAR! How many home runs did he allow? 1. HE LET UP ONE HOME RUN IN 71.2 INNINGS. Per Elias Sports, Workman held opponents to a .123 BA, "the lowest mark for any pitcher since 1900."Seems pretty good, no? Workman has been a guy who has flown under the radar for awhile now. Many people don't realize Workman has been with the Sox since the 2013 World Series team. As a matter of fact, he pitched 3.1 innings in the 2013 World Series. He hardly pitched last October, and was left off the roster for the 2018 World Series due to injury. Coming into this season without Kimbrel leaving the team with no closer, and also the absence of Joe Kelly as a relief arm, many people thought it would be Matt Barnes who would take on the role of closer for the team. Instead, the Sox took on the approach of closer by committee, an idea that evidently backfired for them. In the anticipation of Nathan Eovaldi's return this summer from elbow surgery, the front office deemed Eovaldi the closer when he returned. However, Eovaldi was needed in the rotation. He had a few appearances from the bullpen, but was shortly after moved back to the rotation. By August, Workman became the designated closer for the club, and what a standup job he did in his new role. While it'll be interesting to see what Workman's role is next season within the pen, whether he becomes the team's set closer, or is the setup man for a new closing arm remains a question on everyone's mind. However we can only hope his success from this season extends into next.
The Bad
Injury-ridden starting pitching. The narrative all season was "that gosh darn bullpen ruins everything," but you know what? Hats off to the bullpen. They had a hefty workload this year. Relievers aren't mean to cover 5-6 innings every game. Not to mention the amount of just full-on bullpen games we had by the end of the season from start to finish due to the losses of Sale and Price for the rest of the season due to injury. That is where our pitching issues came from. Not the bullpen, the starting rotation. And I don't mean that to say, "our starters STUNK!" no, not at all. Yes, they certainly had a rough start to the season which we don't have to talk about, but by the middle of May or so, it seemed like they were starting to settle in. Yes, Chris Sale did not look like the ace Chris Sale he did last year, but quite frankly that really does not concern me at this moment in time. Off years happen, just look at Rick Porcello's season this year (sorry babe). Not to mention, can we even call it an off year? It feels like Sale was never able to fully settle in this season. As soon as he started showing flashes of the Sale we know and love, he was put on the IL, which then raised the question of how long had he been injured? Is that why he was not on his A-game this season? Either way, for me personally, I'm over it. I know a lot of you are going to whine and complain about how Sale just signed that monster contract and now he "stinks," but I truly don't believe this season is enough to make any sort of fair judgments on him or the contract, and again, everyone has down years, especially pitchers, and injuries do nothing to help the case. Also for the love of all that is holy, stop freaking out about long-term contracts after just one year.
Same goes for Nathan Eovaldi. Everyone knows I love Nathan Eovaldi, and to watch him go on the IL for as long as he did because of elbow surgery was the absolute worst. I'll be honest, I'm not sure why he wasn't initially just put back into the rotation instead of sticking him in the bullpen for a few weeks, maybe fear of overworking him in his return or whatnot, but I think by the time he returned to the rotation at the end of summer it was just an overall tough position. The Sox were vying for a wild card spot, though there was never a point in which they were particularly close to overstepping the Rays for the second spot. Still, at that point in the season it was the Sox only hope to make the postseason and so the pressure was on. Yes, Eovaldi wasn't the lights-out guy he was in Game 3 of the World Series, but people seemed quick to forget he was just out for almost 2 months. I'm not trying to make an excuse for him for letting up some silly home runs right down the middle or walking a few too many batters here and there, but I think we underestimate how difficult it is to make that return from injury, then to be thrown into the bullpen when you've been a starter, then be told you're going to be a closer, a role you've never been in before, and THEN instead just be thrown back into the rotation in the midst of a push for a playoff spot. Again, just like Sale, it's silly to bring up Eovaldi's contract. It's year one of four. I get you're all concerned about money and re-signing certain players but seriously? Do you fools not realize how important it is to have starting pitching? Re-read that sentence for me a few more times. Do you not realize how important it is in baseball to have a set starting pitching rotation? Take them off the books and what do you need now? Replacement starters. And we all know the front office's stance at the moment; you're sure as heck not going to be getting any Verlanders or Kershaws. So be patient. Injuries can change seasons entirely, and I think that was the source of the Red Sox's issues this year.
As for David Price, I honestly don't have much to say. I realize many people like to take their anger out on Price solely because of his shaky relationship with the media and certain members of the fanbase, but I myself am a fan of Price and really did not have many complaints about him this season. I think like all the other starters, he started off slow in April and then figured it out. Though he only started in 22 games and struggled with going deep into games, when he was locked in, he looked real good. It was when he started to struggle in an inning things would go south, hence why he didn't go too deep into most games. But I mean I would rather see him pulled in the right moment than too little too late. I think by the end of his season he started looking a little more shaky, specifically thinking of the Orioles game in July as sort of a turning point in the season for him personally, and I know some people blame that on distractions off the field with media or whatever, but barely two weeks later he was on the IL and then before you know it we got the news he was shut down for the season, so I'm going to go out on a whim here and say Price just wasn't feeling 100% those last few starts.
Injuries stink no matter what, but when you've got a banged up starting rotation, it makes winning a lot harder.
Rick Porcello. Look. If you really thought I was going to sit here and roast Rick Porcello, you must not know me at all. I'm going to keep this sweet and short for you all. Rick Porcello is a GOOD pitcher. You don't win the Cy Young Award for being mediocre. He is GOOD. He had a bad year. I know I sound like a broken record here but IT. HAPPENS. I'm not going to make any excuses for him, and he never made any excuses for himself either. Time after time this season he held himself accountable for underperforming. As frustrating as it was for us all to watch, I promise you it was 1000x more frustrating for Rick himself. Be a fan in whatever way you want, if you want to talk poorly about him, I can't defend him every time. People will talk no matter what. I'm sure this entire season has been a lesson for the veteran pitcher and it all can only go up from here. We also have to appreciate the fact, even if his performances weren't always pretty, he always made his starts, he stayed healthy (not that the other starters chose to get injured), and he always went as deep into games as possible. One bad inning didn't mean game over for Porcello (besides in London but we don't have to talk about that series). Rick Porcello is a leader in the clubhouse and cares deeply for his team. He powered through a tough season. I would love to see him come back next year, but if not, it's important to focus on all the good he's done for this organization. Pretty Ricky forever.
The bullpen, sort of. Okay. They WEREN'T THAT BAD. Harp on "blown saves" all you want, they weren't that bad. Were they lights out? Absolutely not. Did you expect them to be? A majority of this year's relievers had never even played at the major league level before this year. None of us even knew who Josh Taylor, Marcus Walden, or Darwinzon Hernandez WERE a year ago. It's tough to have a lights out bullpen when the front office doesn't invest in any big-name relievers, or at the least, experienced relievers at the major league level. So shoutout to those guys, especially Josh Taylor. Last year we had Ryan Brasier as the no-name to superstar, this year we had Taylor. Dude had a sneaky good debut year, ending with a 3.04 ERA. Consider that for a minute; this man started games, he closed games, he came in to relieve starters in the third, he served as the setup man sometimes...he did it all. Yes, there were a decent amount of games in which the Sox were holding onto the lead by like, 4 runs, and then the bullpen came in and suddenly the lead disappears and yes, I was angry too but consider the workload the bullpen had this year. They were regularly coming in around the 5th inning multiple times per week. They were overworked. Hopefully the front office learns from this year and acquires another relief arm or two. But you know what? THEY WEREN'T THAT BAD!
A slumping Benny. Oh sweet Benny Buttcheeks. I'm so sorry I have to write this. Like Porcello, it was a down year. He started off the season in the leadoff spot and went like what felt like, 1-100. Even after he was moved back down in the lineup, it was just a tough year for Benny. In 541 at bats, he struck out 140 times. Last year in 579 at bats, he struck out 106 times. He started off the season looking stiff at the plate. Throughout the season he made adjustments and by July he looked more in-tune, but his season was also riddled with minor injuries that kept him on the bench more than I'm sure he would've liked. His batting average this season dropped from .290 to .266. Though he's never been much of a home run hitting guy, he drove in just 68 runs this year as compared to 87 last year. Benny has held himself accountable throughout the entire season for his struggles. Back in July he told Alex Speir of the Boston Globe, "This feels worse. In 2017, it was my first full season, so I expected some frustrating times, but it seems like this whole year, I’ve been grinding and trying to find stuff...It’s just not going. I haven’t hit a stride or anything right now. This is the most frustrated I’ve been, for sure.” No excuses, just frustration. I think that basically sums up the entire 2019 season for everyone. I'm sure there is some sort of change that needs to be made in Benny's approach to the plate and I have no doubt it'll be something he looks for in the off-season.
Blake Swihart. Imagine thinking I wasn't going to mention Blake Swihart in this article? Blake is my cult hero and deserved better. The Red Sox broke this man, shipped him off to the Diamondbacks, then Arizona never even gave him the chance he deserved either. This season was cursed the second the Sox DFA'd Swihart. How dare you raise this man from the farm system up just to smash him back down? Mishandled doesn't even begin to describe it. All I want is success for Blake Swihart. Okay I do want more than just that but it's definitely high up on my list. #JusticeForSwihart ALWAYS.
The Ugly
The ugly of this season is rather....ominous. The only ugly part of this season is what's to come from it. Obviously the big question on everyone's mind is if Mookie Betts will return. Though he's not a free agent until 2020, Mookie wants to get paid, and rightfully so. As one of the best players in baseball, he deserves every penny. With Dombrowski out, the future of the Sox front office in question, and the recent news that the organization plans to spend substantially less than they have in the past to stay under the luxury tax, it seems unlikely for a Mookie return, but rather trade him to at least gain something in replacement for the major loss. Additionally, JD Martinez has the option to opt out this offseason and based off comments he's made in the last week, a JD return does not sound likely. With the loss of both Mookie and JD possible, it could be a few years before the Red Sox return to top form, especially if the front office is not willing to spend the money they need to in order to win.
Mookie and JD are not the only ones the Sox are in danger of losing however. Brock Holt, Mitch Moreland, Rick Porcello, and Steve Pearce are all free agents this offseason. Pearce, who was on a one year deal with the Sox and hardly played due to injury that kept him out for almost all of the 2019 season has been contemplating retirement apparently, so the return of the former World Series MVP most certainly seems unlikely. Not to mention, with young guys like Michael Chavis and Sam Travis coming into their own at the major league level, the Red Sox don't have much room for the veteran first baseman. Same goes for Mitch Moreland. We were lucky to have Moreland for the time we did; a cheap veteran, good defensively, good clubhouse guy, and came in clutch in big offensive moments. Again, the Sox have to prioritize. A Moreland return seems unlikely.
Finally, Brock Holt. I say this with all the bias in the world: do not let Brock Holt get away. He's a solid utility player who could play second base regularly if needed, a position that seemed to be a question mark all season, he won't take much money to re-sign, or at least certainly not as much money as Mookie or JD, and quite frankly his clubhouse presence and presence in Boston is unmatched. I want Brock Holt in Boston forever.
Though it was not the season any of us anticipated, I think there were more high points to it than we realize. In Boston we've taken for granted all these winning seasons. 2019 has been a slap in the face, but it's over and now we're onto 2020. Whatever happens, happens. With a lot of questions left to be answered, it's sure to be an interesting offseason so we might as well enjoy the peace while we still can.
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