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Boston Red Sox: In search of 90-Win formula

By Willy

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Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

We all know that the Red Sox have gone through some radical changes over the last few years. Changes that propelled the team to a Championship in 2013, in between last place finishes in the surrounding years (2012 & 2014). The Red Sox brain trust have recently learned that what may work one year, won’t necessarily work the next, so a new formula is in order.

So here we are again, looking for answers, looking for solutions to a complex problem. How can GM Ben Cherington build his team into a 90 (+) win team that sees the Post Season regularly? This is no small task but the Red Sox have many things going for them.

  1. They aren’t expected to win a Championship next year and have recently supplied us with one so they’ve bought themselves some time. A three year window to rebuild isn’t out of the question.
  1. They should be a competitive team as is but Ben can make them much more so as soon as this Winter.
  1. The Red Sox have money to spend. The true amount is unknown but if 2012 is used as a barometer… it will be a significant amount of dough and we may actually see them spend over the Luxury tax threshold.

Now let’s look at the Red Sox biggest needs based on last Seasons stats for Playoff teams.

  • 1a. You need a top 15 Starter ERA, IE 3.58 as a team or better. A lot of work to be done here as they finished with a 4.36ERA

*My choice would be to sign at least one of the top pitchers and trade for another but they must make positive strides in this area starting now.

  • 2a. You need a top 15 Offense, IE .255 team AVG or better, .320 OBP or better, .376SLG or better, .700 OPS or better.

Believe it or not the Red Sox aren’t far off offensively as they finished with numbers of: .244/.316/.369/.684

*My choice would be to sign or trade for a 3rd baseman, preferably left handed and who hits above the listed .255/.320/.376/.700

And I would also sign or trade for a left handed hitting Outfielder, with similar hitting standards as the new 3rd baseman. They may be able to wait on the Outfielder but not the 3rd baseman (that must come now).

  • 2b. Options to improve 3rd base and the Outfield hitting:
  • 3rd: Pablo Sandoval (.317/.363/.461/.824).
  • Is a trade possible?  Sorry Chase Headley fans but his stats don’t qualify him.

*My choice would be any one of the above listed Outfielders.

Good luck Ben, I think you’re going to need it. Go Sox!

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