Red Sox mathematically eliminated from MLB playoffs

In a year that opened with a loss to the Orioles, the books have closed on their playoff chances in much the same manner. While their 10-6 loss to the Orioles at Fenway Park didn't eliminate them on Wednesday, it did push them to the precipice, allowing the Royals to nudge Boston off the edge with their victory.

Wednesday's loss dropped the Red Sox to 63-83 overall, and 20-33 in the second half. While their winning percentage in the first half was .453, their most recent loss drops their second have percentage to .392, which would be "good" for the second worst in baseball were it their full season total. That they've been worse in the second half is no surprise, given their poor first-half performance, followed by the exodus of all their best players (Lester, Lackey, Miller, Peavy, Drew (kinda), Gomes).

Lester was a bright spot in a tough year, though his looming free agency was a common source of agita as fans both wanted him to succeed, but were concerned he took a step toward leaving with every impressive start. It turns out the team sent him packing anyway, as they weren't in a place to compete and were able to pry Yoenis Cespedes from Oakland in exchange. There's still hope that Boston can re-sign Lester come the offseason, though negotiating against 29 other teams will likely complicate things.

Between the trades that returned Cespedes, Allen Craig, and Joe Kelly, along with upper minors pitching prospects Eduardo Rodriguez and Edwin Escobar, it's clear that the defending champions were positioning themselves for 2015, rather than engage in a full-scale rebuild. Boston also had the opportunity to see how some of their high-level prospects fared at the major league level, with varying results. Jackie Bradley Jr. struggled badly at the plate, earning himself a demotion. Mookie Betts rocketed to the major leagues on the back of a stellar season at the plate and the ability to learn center field on the fly, and while he was returned to the minors at one point, he's been solid since returning. Xander Bogaerts has stayed with the big club all year, but hasn't done more than flash the type of potential he showed in his late-season run last year. He did have to switch positions to accommodate Stephen Drew, but it's hard to put a positive spin on 2014 for Bogaerts. It's worth noting that Bogaerts has handled the tough times with remarkable maturity, telling the Boston Herald's Scott Lauber:

"Man, I'm really hard on myself something, so it's tough to think like that," Bogaerts said when reminded of his youth. "Especially playing in postseason last year, a lot of people thought I was like 30 or something. In reality, I'm just 21. I'm not Albert Pujols or any of those guys -- yet. I've got to wait."

Getting Bogaerts back on track in 2015 is just one piece of the puzzle for the Red Sox, who have to figure out both their outfield situation and their starting rotation. With the additions of Kelly, Rodriguez and Escobar at the deadline, the Sox have a logjam at starting pitcher without much impact talent. Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly seem like the only definites at the moment, with Rubby De La Rosa, Anthony Ranaudo, Brandon Workman, Allen Webster, Steven Wright, Matt Barnes and Henry Owens all potentially vying for the back three spots in addition to the deadline acquisitions. And that's assuming they don't go after anyone in free agency, which is almost a necessity because while there are a ton of options available to them internally, almost all of them lack top of the rotation upside.