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Sox Report To The Fort
February 18, 2009
2.18.
09, 3:28 PM
Full Squad Ready To Roll
Sox Report To The Fort
By: Jared Carrabis
So far, the top three concerns to come out of Sox camp have proved to be a non-issue to the club.
Starting first with the rumors of JD Drew's back. When the news broke entering camp that Drew was experiencing discomfort in his back, this story was blown out of proportion. File that one under, "Everything is going great, but there's nothing else to talk about".
Drew missed a total of 33 games in 2008 due to a herniated disk. When asked about his back issues upon his arrival to Fort Myers, the Boston right fielder responded by saying, "It's still pretty stiff. I've fought it all offseason. It's been one of them injuries that has kind of lingered. I've been able to hit, run and all that stuff, but some days I wake up stiff and some days it doesn't seem to be too bad. I'm in the maintenance stages and worked during the offseason to keep it strong. Everything is well enough to play. I just need to isolate it and try to keep it from flaring up too bad.
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These quotes were taken out of context by most, and some even went so far as to say that Drew was in question to be the Opening Day starter for the Boston Red Sox.
When manager, Terry Francona, read the blown out of proportion statements being made by the media, he immediately asked for a word with the $70 million investment. "I read the comments and what I read worried me. And then when I talked to J.D, I wasn’t worried," Francona said. "He said he feels fine and he’s ready to go. That’s really all I can tell you.
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The reason why I never posted the news of his back being a set back in the first place is because I don't like to post news that I know I'm going to have to clear up later. I could tell right away that the news of JD's back would be one of those stories.
Moving on. The next topic is an issue that I already thought was settled, however that may not be the case. I thought that Jed Lowrie proved himself above and beyond his capability of being the starting shortstop for this Red Sox team. The only person that may not be convinced of this to no fan's surprise is Julio Lugo himself.
"We’re going to have to see, we’re going to have to wait to see what happens," said Lugo. "We’re going to see at the end of (spring training).
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While WEEI.com speculates that Lugo will be the highest paid utility infielder in baseball history (making $18 million over the next two seasons), the Boston Herald begs to differ.
The column suggests that "unless Julio Lugo gets hurt again or has the most horrific spring of the 60 or so players in camp, he will be the team’s starting shortstop when the season opens.
" Wait, we're talking about the Red Sox right? Not the Paw Sox?
In the very same column, the Herald goes on to say, "before the end of next month, Lugo will be 'announced' as the winner and [Jed] Lowrie will be designated as the team's utility infielder." It's a shame that Lugo's absurd contract has to take away the starting role from the young talent that is Jed Lowrie. In my opinion, the Red Sox need to swallow their pride and admit that they made a bad decision in regards to Lugo's contract. No matter what Lugo's salary may be, Lowrie is the better option defensively and offensively.
If Lugo can prove himself this Spring Training, then so be it. As far as I'm concerned, the two should at least be given the opportunity to compete for the position, rather than Lugo be handed the position thanks in part to the Red Sox poor judgment in his contract negotiations. Lowrie has postseason experience under his belt and has yet to commit an error at shortstop in his time with the Red Sox while Julio Lugo has made 19 in 2007 and 16 errors in a shortened 2008.
I'm not saying to hand Lowrie the job, even though he has proven himself worthy, but at least allow the two to compete this spring. Lowrie should not be at fault because of Lugo's overblown contract situation.
The last topic of discussion today, David Ortiz. This is the first Spring Training in almost a decade where Boston fans were not anticipating the arrival of Manny Ramirez to Fort Myers. Instead, our offensive hopes turn to David Ortiz. With many writers predicting his offensive decline, Ortiz arrived to sunny Florida with one thing on his mind, proving everybody wrong. The slimmed down Ortiz says the wrist feels great, there's no more clicking, and he's ready to play a full season of baseball.
"He looks tremendous," Terry Francona said of Ortiz. "That's very exciting to see, you hear the reports and everything, but then you get to lay eyes on them." With Ortiz in great shape, there is no need to worry about the lack of Manny Ramirez in this lineup. With Kevin Youkilis proving himself in 2008 to being a 30 HR, 100+ RBI guy alongside Jason Bay who can do the same, the Red Sox should be in good shape. If Mike Lowell can return to 2007 form, the heart of the Red Sox order should be a nightmare for opposing pitchers. You also have to factor into the equation that if the 2008 season ended in the middle of the summer, JD Drew would have been a runaway for the American League MVP.
Speaking of that award, the expectations of Dustin Pedroia will be higher than ever, but don't expect the pint-sized second baseman to acknowledge any of the hype. Pedroia is and will always be a hard working baseball player with nothing but success and winning on his mind.
When asked how the Game 7 loss in the ALCS affected his offseason, Pedroia responded by saying, "It was really tough," Pedroia said. "That's what I think motivated everybody to come in here in great shape and ready to go. We know it’s a long season, but being one game away — I think we were winning in the (fourth) inning, so we were five innings away from going to the World Series and defending our title. So, that definitely leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.
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If you think a crushing loss like Game 7 pushed this team away from their goal of winning another World Series then you are sadly mistaken. Pedroia finished by saying, "If that doesn’t motivate you, then you need to pick a new profession. I think everybody is motivated this year.
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-Jared Carrabis
-Jared Carrabis
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