Sox moving Forward

            The 2013 Boston Red Sox season was one for the ages. The Red Sox made one of the most historical comebacks in their history: going from worst to first in the American League East, and then going on to win the World Series.

            From day one of spring training, the Red Sox recognized that they were terrible last year and from then on called the 2013 season the “road to redemption.” I think that spirit helped the team, sending out a positive vibe for this year but at the same time, not trying to sugar coat how last year went.

            The Sox took a chance bringing in a cast of characters that nobody thought would really be able to do anything. In the end those guys, who fans were skeptical about; Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes, Shane Victorino, those were the guys who made the clubhouse atmosphere positive, and in my mind, those were the guys who won them the world series because of what they did on and off the field.

Red Sox free agent watch

            All of us Red Sox fans want this World Series celebration to last a very long time, but now that the season has cooled down, it’s time for the hot stove to heat up. The Red Sox are now in a tough spot. They have a couple of free agents who a lot of fans want back but it might not be the best move for the team to make.

            Jacoby Ellsbury: Almost every Red Sox fan wants to see Jacoby back in a Red Sox uniform for a long while, but for the price that he is asking, I don’t see that happening. His agent is Scott Boras. Boras is someone who won’t settle for less and with the postseason that Ells just had, Boras is going to be laughing all the way to the bank.  He is looking at a likely $100 million contract for Ellsbury. The Sox offered him $14.1 million contract as a qualifying offer. For some fans it may seem like there’s not even any point in taking the extra coin when he is already making an ungodly amount, and could give a hometown discount and stay in Boston. For Ellsbury, it is all about the money. He will take the most money that he can get and unlike second baseman Dustin Pedroia, there won’t be a hometown discount.

            Mike Napoli: I think that it is very likely that you’ll see Mike Napoli back in a Red Sox uniform next year. Nap loves Boston, has embraced the Boston strong spirit, and had strong numbers this past year. I think that if the Sox can get him back at an affordable price, which they most likely will be able to, he will be back.

            Jarrod Saltalamacchia: Salty appears to be the most replaceable free agent that the Red Sox have to deal with this offseason. The Sox need a short-term catcher, maybe three or four yeas, before catching prospect Ryan Lavarnway can come up and be an everyday catcher at the big-league level.

            Stephen Drew: Drew is also a very replaceable player but because of the Red Sox’s never-ending shortstop problem, I think that they should keep Drew in Boston. Compared to some of the other guys who we have seen come through Bean Town, Drew has been more-or-less dependable.

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On another note, I had the chance to be down at World Series parade. It was a great time. I was able to get into the park before the parade to hear the Red Sox owners, players, front office members, media members, Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick, Boston mayor Thomas Menino, and some others speak to the fans. The fans were so happy to really start to see the tides change in the Boston sports scene, watching the Red Sox win their third title in nine years. Some might think that the parade wasn’t as special since it was the third time that they’ve had one, but it was just the opposite. It may have been the best time that I have had with the Red Sox this year.