Red Sox 2007 Season Preview…
Needless to say, the Boston Red Sox had a very turbulent 2006. With a rash of injuries & ailments to key players such as Jason Varitek, Tim Wakfield, Trot Nixon, Manny Ramirez, along with David Ortiz’s heart condition and Jon Lester’s lymphoma diagnosis, the Red Sox who were at the top of the division during the first half, fell out of the AL East race after the New Yankees slaughtered them in a 5 game series at Fenway Park in August. That weekend tempered with the injuries, and Manny Ramirez controversy over his injuries pretty much a season with high expectations into a tailspin.
Red Sox Nation have gotten accustomed to going to the playoffs for the past few seasons and continuing their never ending war with the Yankees, but sadly that was not the case in 2006. The Yankees eventually won the division handily until getting beating by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS.
As the dawn of the 2007 season approaches, New England and Red Sox Nationsis once again ready for the fever, and this winter for the team was nothing short of successful for fans of the team, in my eyes. With a fan base itching for another World Championship and unbridled love for their team, GM Theo Epstein and company are once again focused into making the Red Sox a winner.
During the offseason, the Red Sox made a huge wave going from one continent to another by signing Japanese uber-stud, Daisuke Matzsuaka, whom the team big an earth-stopping $51 million on, beating out the Yankees and Mets for his services. In addition, the Red Sox signed shortstop Julio Lugo, pitcher Joel Piniero, and probably one of the most controversial signings of the winter, J.D. Drew.
Much of the offseason for the Red Sox was shoring up the pitching rotation. Curt Schilling returns in what could possibly be his last season, as well as steady mainstay Tim Wakefield, and Josh Beckett who won 16 games, but had a propensity for giving up long balls, too many walks, had problems with his pitching and struggled his way to an ERA over 5.
The wild cards in the pitching staff are wonder kid Jonathan Papelbon and Japanese stuff, Matsuzaka. Papelbon had a breakout 2006, becoming one of the most dominant closer is the game, ending up on the All-Star team, and having an ERA well under one, until he ended up on the shelf for the rest of the year due to shoulder problems. The Red Sox are letting him go into the starting rotation where they expect him to translate the success he had as closer into a starter.
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