Just when the Sox begin to hit, they relapse. The Cleveland series typifies their season so far. After banging out 12 hits in a 5-2 win and pounding out 11 in a 10-3 triumph, they faded in a pair of depressing 3-2 losses. Quality starts by Jake Peavy (finally) and Brandon Workman were wasted.
The team is simply not hitting with any consistency, either for average or power. At .246, they are heading for their lowest mark since Daddy Butch Hobson’s 1992 entry. David Ortiz leads with 15 homers, but not other player has more than 6. Xander Bogearts (as of Sunday) was leading the regulars with a .278 mark. Last season the squad had 6 everyday players over .290. The “power by committee”, which worked so well in ’13, has disappeared.
I agree with Nick Cafardo that the Sox are a boring team right now. Most weak-hitting clubs are. Cafardo suggests bringing in a productive, middle-of-the-order outfielder, but it might not be easy. I have heard Alex Gordon’s name mentioned, but with KC honing in on first place in the Central, it is unlikely. I would hate to see the team part with a good young player to compete for a playoff spot which is probably out of their reach. Team leaders Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia are underachieving, and despite Brock Holt’s surprising performance, it is unlikely that anyone else will explode enough to carry the Sox back into contention.
Though they are playing hard, the Bosox are far from the relaxed and optimistic beard-men of 2013. Even John Farrell looks tight and worried on the bench. For the present, the Sox should relax a bit and see how things go until the All-Star break. Management should be looking toward the future. The young players should be given every chance to succeed, even if the goal is to finish over .500. Bogearts, Jackie Bradley Jr (if he starts hitting), and Brandon Workman are promising performers who should improve. I would also see up-and-down Rubby De La Rosa in the rotation for now rather than Clay Buchholz or Felix Doubront.
After the season, Ben Cherington faces a hitting dilemma. Should they sign a power- hitting free agent or give up one or more young players for one? So far, that his not been Cherington’s MO, but it might be necessary. He should be
careful, however. The memories of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzales are still fresh in our minds.
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