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★★★
Dave Dombrowski is the new president of baseball operations with the Red Sox, and he has inherited both a ton of talent and many uncomfortable questions that need answering. The Sox are considered to have one of the top farm systems in the game, thanks to the likes of Yoan Moncada, Rafael Devers, Manuel Margot, Javier Guerra, Andrew Benintendi, Michael Kopech ... the list goes on, and what it lacks in potential star power outside of Moncada, it makes up for in depth. Boston has also graduated Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Eduardo Rodriguez, Blake Swihart and Henry Owens over the last two seasons, the eldest of which is the 23-year-old Swihart, so there is plenty of youth at the MLB level as well.
There are also roster issues to sort out in the majors, though, which have played a part in 2015’s failures. Pablo Sandoval needs to be fixed at the plate and defensively, and he’s owed another $75 million through 2019. Hanley Ramirez’s bat is likely to rebound, but he’s in desperate need of a move to designated hitter. That position is occupied by David Ortiz, who is still the team’s best hitter and under contract for at least 2016. He’s also not going anywhere except to retire, and that’s not happening after a season in which he’s very likely to hit 30 homers. Figuring out where the likes of Brock Holt, Travis Shaw, Ryan Hanigan, Christian Vazquez and more are the best fit is also on Dombrowski’s very packed agenda.
The rotation needs tweaking, as Clay Buchholz can’t do it alone (or for 200 innings), and Wade Miley can’t be their second-best starter. Former Dombrowski arm Rick Porcello needs to be sorted out, something Dombrowski has experience seeing occur, and the team needs to acquire either a legitimate number two starter or an ace to help Buchholz at the top. Beyond that, the bullpen needs improvement, and Dombrowski ... well, maybe he should let his next GM handle that part.
- The "leading contender" to become that new GM is former Braves and Marlins executive, Frank Wren. Wren worked under Dombrowski while with the Montreal Expos, and with the then-Florida Marlins. Since he can't sign Dan Uggla to another five-year deal, maybe this would work!
- The Rangers are still fighting for the postseason, even though the baseball gods hate them. We shudder to think of what horrible plot they have in store for Texas to counter their resilience.
- It's apparently not enough that Clayton Kershaw is hard to hit. He's also capable of taking away your balls in play, too, and without even looking at them.
- We know you were on the disabled list for a while, Miguel Cabrera, but your glove goes on your hand before the play begins.
- #BAEROD!
- If you can catch a baseball in one hand while holding a baby in your other, good for you. Please do not attempt to make catches where you could flip over a fence while holding said baby, though.
- Ryan Webb has finished 97 games in his career, and has yet to record a single save. That's a record, one that he keeps extending with every game finished.
- Madison Bumgarner pinch-hit for Ryan Vogelsong because it's the move that made the most sense for the Giants' bench. Baseball!
- It finally happened: Will Venable has escaped pitcher-friendly and lefty-hating Petco Park, and he even ended up in the Rangers' hitter-friendly environs. Congrats, Will!
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