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Boston Red Sox Favored To Win Division
Manager Terry Francona leads a team that was beset by injuries in 2010. Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Cameron, Josh Beckett, and Kevin Youkilis all missed significant time due to a myriad of injuries. They are all recovered though heading into 2011 and Francona also has new pieces that have been added to the puzzle as well. Youkilis enters the new season with his thumb seemingly 100 percent, and Becketts velocity is back where he needs it to be as well. The team thought they had enough depth last year, but they have even better depth going into the 2011 season. Also injured in 2010 was center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who was limited to just 18 games and 78 at bats. In 2009, Ellsbury was an elite base stealer, swiping 70 bags and in 2008 he stole 50 bases. Ellsbury also hit . 301 with 8 homers and 60 RBIs in 2009 and he is still just 27 years old, so the power numbers could still increase. Going into the spring of 2011, it looked as if the rib injury that cost him all of last season was finally behind him. Crawford comes over from the Rays and he adds another all star hitter to the Boston line up. He adds a blend of power and speed and could be a perfect third place hitter in the lineup following Ellsbury and Pedroia. Those three should be on base quite a bit for clean-up hitter Gonzalez to knock in. In the bullpen, the Red Sox have added Dan Wheeler, Bobby Jenks, Denys Reyes, as well as several other left-handers vying for roster spots in spring training. Wheeler signed as a free agent from the Tampa Bay Rays and is a top middle reliever. Jenks is the former closer for the Chicago White Sox and Reyes was a key member of the St. Louis Cardinals for the last few years. While the trade for Gonzalez and the signing of Crawford grabbed the headlines, and rightfully so, there were a few other key signings as well. The team signed reliever Dan Wheeler, formerly of the Rays. The defection of Wheeler and Crawford from the division rival Rays depletes that team while also helping the Red Sox. Wheeler has been a solid middle reliever, averaging 57 innings with a 3.13 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in the past three seasons, meaning he does not walk many batters or give up too many hits while coming into tough situations in the late innings. Wheeler should give Boston solid innings, bridging the gap between the starters and closer Jonathan Papelbon. Also signed as a free agent after he was let go by the White Sox is their former closer Bobby Jenks. Jenks saved 27 games in 2010, though his ERA was a bit high at 4.44. He throws hard though and pairs with Daniel Bard to form a solid set up tandem, getting games to closer Papelbon. Along with the additions to the lineup, these key bullpen additions should help Bostons chances over the long haul of the regular season and post season. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on Washington Nationals Watch, San Francisco Giants Watch and Atlanta Braves Bedding |
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