Despite beating the Yanks, the Sox should rebuild

The “important period” that I wrote about two weeks ago is over, and the Sox, despite two exciting wins over the Yanks, have come up losers. After a promising 3 wins out of 4 vs Chicago, they won three games against the Blue Jays, Rangers and Yankees while losing six.The Sox are still in it for the wild card, but several teams are still ahead of them.

For most of the road trip that concluded yesterday, the Sox played and acted like losers. Many have stopped talking to the media, not knowing what to say or possibly, not caring. I congratulate Dustin Pedroia for speaking out after Friday’s embarrassing loss. Among the remarks he made were “two games under .500? We’re the Boston Red Sox, If anyone is thrilled about where we’re at, we need to reevaluate because I don’t like losing.” Pedroia, hobbled by injuries part of the year, backed up his words by hitting a homer, which of course did little in a 10-3 loss. Where were Pedroia’s teammates? Hiding in the training room like most Sox players did in 1978 after a particularly bad loss to the Yankees? According to Peter Gammons’ excellent book Beyond the Sixth Game, Carl Yastrzemski, losing pitcher Dennis Eckersley (who was 20-8 that year), and infielder Frank Duffy were the only ones who had the courage to talk to the media. Despite winning 99 games, that team, as we all know, ended up as losers after Bucky Dent’s homer.

I now think it is unlikely any major trades will be made- Beckett probably won’t bring enough in return. What Ben Cherington, Bobby Valentine, and the coaches have to do is start a rebuilding process. Sit Carl Crawford and his .230 average down and see if Daniel Nava can be an everyday player. Consider putting Jon Lester in the bullpen to work out his problems, though he had a better start Saturday. Return Franklin Morales and eventually Alfredo Aceves to the rotation if Andrew Bailey can do the job. Bring up Ryan Lavarnway and Jose Iglesias and play them- they should be improvements to Mike Aviles and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, despite his homers. Scott Posednick, who hit well when brought up earlier is also a possibility.

I am willing to give Clay Buchholz and the surprising Felix Doubront chances to lead the rotation, but, in a worst case scenario, Beckett, Lester, John Lackey and Daiuske Matsuzaka, a supposedly great staff two years ago, may simply not be re-signed. A new rotation might have to be assembled in the next couple of years. The Sox are not a small market team, but they should try to rebuild-with players who want to win.