2005 Summary:
After finally breaking the 86-year-old curse of Babe Ruth, not to mention making one of the most miraculous comebacks in the history of baseball vs. The Yankees, the Boston Red Sox entered the 2005 season hoping their good luck would continue. Although Curt Schilling’s ankle was not 100%, the plan for 2005 began with the addition of newly acquired pitchers David Wells and Matt Clement to the starting rotation. But from the start of the season it was apparent that Schilling’s ankle would not cooperate as he started just 3 games before the All-Star break. Fortunately for Red Sox fans, no one was getting away with the AL East yet.
It wasn’t difficult for Boston to stay in pursuit of another AL East title, especially with the lethal 1-2 offensive punch from Manny Ramieriz (.292 45 144) and David Ortiz (.300 47148) providing the majority of the score. Outfielder Johnny Damon (.316 10 75) continued his impressive outing as the Red Sox leadoff hitter, while Trott Nixon (.275 13 67) and wide receiver Jason Varitek (.281 22 70) returned for another season of impressive numbers. offensive.
The starting pitcher learned to live without Schilling with David Wells (15 7 4.45) putting together a decent season. Pitchers Matt Clement (13 6 4.57) and Tim Wakefield (16 7 4.15) also stepped up their game to keep the Red Sox and Yankees on par until the final series of the weekend at Fenway. The Yankees won the season finale two games to one, leaving the Red Sox to face the Chicago White Sox in the Division Series. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, 2005 ended with a quick postseason exit when they were swept to three games to nil, losing Game 3 at Fenway 5-3 to the White Sox.
Removals out of season:
The chaos created by general manager Theo Epstein’s initial departure paid off for the Yankees, who were able to pull free agent All Star center fielder Johnny Damon out from under the Red Sox’s noses. Boston fought back days later completing a seven-man deal with the Marlins, scoring third baseman Mike Lowell (.236 8 58), starting pitcher Josh Beckett (15-8 3.37) and pitcher Guillermo Mota (2-2 4.70). Mota was later used to acquire outfielder Coco Crisp (.300 16 69 16 SB) who will replace Damon in center field. In the Crisp exchange, reliever David Riske (3-4 3.10) was also joined.
Other notable offseason moves included trading Doug Mirabelli to the Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta (.280 3 38), as well as sending infielder Edgar Renteria to the Braves for cash along with 3B Andy Marte. . Additional moves included the Red Sox avoiding arbitration with infielder Tony Graffanino (.309 7 38), as well as adding pitcher Julian Tavarez (2-3 3.43) and outfielder JT Snow (.275 4 40).
2006 analysis:
Expect Boston’s starting pitching to be stronger than last year with the addition of Josh Beckett and the expected rebound from Schilling. The Red Sox also hope Wells will feel more comfortable in the third vs. No. 1 starter, a role he was forced to take on when Schilling was unable to recover from his ankle injury in 2004. The bullpen is updated with the addition of Tavarez and Riske. Expect Mike Timlin (7-3 2.24) Keith Foulke (5-5 5.91 15 saves) Jonathan Papelbon (3-1 2.65) and Bronson Arroyo (14-10 4.51) pick up right where they left off last year.
Boston took it very badly to lose Johnny Damon, as his production and leadership will be missed, but Crisp is a young player with a lot of speed. Crisp posted personal records last year in runs (86), hits (178) and home runs, and the Red Sox are counting on him to do even more to fill the void left by Damon. Also expect Manny Ramieriz to be on the opening day roster, as rumors that he went to the Orioles or Mets in some mega multi-team deal appear to be nothing more than newspaper fodder. Few teams can manage Manny’s contract and the Red Sox appear unwilling to offer financial relief to any team that has shown interest in acquiring him.