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Home Is Where The Talent Is
March 9, 2009
3.9.
09, 4:30 PM
Home Is Where The Talent Is
Red Sox Homegrown Talent
Taking Over Baseball
By: Jared Carrabis
There is plenty of great news to report here in Red Sox Nation this week.
I'll start with the best of the best.
On Sunday, Yahoo! Sports reported that Jon Lester and the Boston Red Sox came to terms on a 5-year, $30 million extension that includes a team option for the 2014 season.
The five-year deal buys out one year of free agency for Lester and if the team exercises his option in 2014, the Red Sox can buyout another year of free agency for one small fee of $13 million.
While the Yankees were busy spending $423.5 million on CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox spent $313 million less to sign one of the top left-handed pitchers in the game ($30 million), the reigning American League MVP ($40.5 million), and a Gold Glove offensive force ($40 million) to multi-year contracts. The Red Sox have once again proved that their player development program is one of the best, if not the best, in the game today. All three players are homegrown and highly productive pieces to the Red Sox championship puzzle if they are to reclaim the World Series title in 2009.
The Red Sox have sent a great message to the top prospects in their system that hard work is rewarded with this organization. Another homegrown talent that was rewarded with a new contract this off-season was Jonathan Papelbon.
In Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Justin Masterson threw three scoreless frames while racking up three strikeouts as the game's starting pitcher. Papelbon entered the game and struck out the side before handing over the ball to the flame-throwing Daniel Bard. Bard, who can hit 100 MPH on the gun, also struck out the side in his one inning of work. Another great sign, Junichi Tazawa is handling Major League pitching without much difficulty. The Japanese-born pitcher whiffed four batters in his two innings out on the mound.
It was originally reported that Clay Buchholz would be Boston's fifth starter if Brad Penny was heading to the disabled list, but recent indications are that Masterson, not Buchholz, will be the man to step up and join Boston's rotation under that certain circumstance. The Boston Globe has said that Penny is "questionable" to start the season not on the disabled list.
Since injuries have become the topic of discussion, it is worth noting that Jacoby Ellsbury has been suffering from a mild discomfort in his hamstring that will sideline him from action for at least two games. Manager Terry Francona has told reporters that the injury is nothing to be concerned about.
The latest on the competition for the starting job at shortstop has Julio Lugo neck-and-beck with Jed Lowrie. On Sunday, Lugo went 3-for-3 with two doubles, drove in two runs and walked once. In 15 at bats, Lugo is batting a sizzling .533 compared to Lowrie's also impressive .375 batting average. While at the moment, both options seem to be in the benefit of the team, Lugo will likely start on Opening Day due to his $9 million contract and eye-opening spring thus far.
One last note; for those that watched the World Baseball Classic match up last night between the United States and Venezuela, you may agree with the prediction that I'm about to make. After batting in a multi-pitch at bat, Kevin Youkilis cranked a two-run shot off of Venezuelan reliever Yoel Hernandez. Dustin Pedroia also contributed with a clutch two-run double during the 15-6 rout of the Venezuelan baseball team.
The home run for Youkilis was his second for Team USA and his third of the spring if you count his opposite field jack that he hit while with the Red Sox. My prediction for you, is that Kevin Youkilis hits 40 home runs in 2009. If he remains in the cleanup spot for the bulk of his at bats, I think the Red Sox have developed themselves a 40 HR man in 2009. While he hit 29 in 2008, there's still no reason to believe that he can't become a 40 HR guy.
Agree, disagree, discuss.
-Jared Carrabis
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-Jared Carrabis
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