It looks like David Ortiz may not be a factor in the first half of the 2013 campaign. It was revealed recently that he has inflammations in both heels, a condition caused by last year's Achilles injury. A Peter Abraham piece in the Globe hints that it may be midseason before Papi will again be an everyday DH. For a 37-year-old, this is a big setback. But is it one more nail in the Sox coffin? Not necessarily.
Having Ortiz around certainly makes the Bosox a better team. Abraham names Will Middlebrooks, Mike Napoli, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Jonny Gomes as men the team will rely on for power with Ortiz out; Shane Victorino may also be in the picture. The group is hardly a Murderers Row. But it may give the Sox a chance to emphasize things they have rarely done- pitching, speed and defense.
The starting rotation is not set yet, though John Farrell has named Jon Lester as his Opening Day starter. This leaves Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Felix Doubront and one more-perhaps rookie Allen Webster. While most of these hurlers are coming off poor or injury-riddled seasons, they have generally looked good in spring training games. The bullpen, with Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard and some other possibilities, also looks okay. Defense is a bit hard to fathom at this point, but if Jackie Bradley wins a spot and Jacoby Ellsbury plays to his potential in a free-agent year,,the outfield should be better than last year. I also look for the Sox to run more in 2013, if they can avoid the crippling injuries of last year.
I know that Fenway is built for power, but the team plays 81 games on the road. Naysayers like Nick Cafardo will continue to write that the Sox should have gone after Josh Hamilton. But Hamilton, problems aside, would be a typical Boston move- sign a power hitter and hope he hits 50 homers. If 2013 is truly a "bridge" year, this is the time to try something different.
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