Quote:
Originally Posted by mdccclxix
Do you think they can contend next year?
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The Red Sox?
I'm not sure. It would take huge rebounds from Lester and Buchholz. Add in a step forward for Doubront and a new SP from somewhere else. Then remake the bullpen (possibly with Daniel Bard making a return and Andrew Bailey bouncing back). Then sort out the lineup with Ellsbury coming back strong, a new 1B, a new SS and at least one new OF corner. If all of that happens that team could contend.
The upside for Boston is it has cash. It can buy a lot of talent on the open market, though we saw with the Marlins this year that spending does not equate to winning.
If the core is rotten then it doesn't matter what they add. And if they don't add the right pieces then it doesn't matter if the core rebounds. Basically, a lot can go wrong with the Sox.