After a red-hot start to the
2006 campaign things got ugly for the Red Sox. Boston finished the season in second place
with 86 wins, but two seasons removed from a World Championship, their overall
numbers didn't equate to anything more than a .500 team. In fact the
Boston win-loss Pythagorean represented an 81-81 team.
The usual suspects, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, had solid statistical seasons. The two bombers
combined for 89 home runs while third baseman Mike Lowell hit for extra bases 68 times last season.
Injuries and age were the downfall of the teams
starting rotation. Josh Beckett did
however finally record 200 Innings, but gave up 36 homeruns in the process. One
time reliable backend arm, Keith Foulke,
failed to regain his All Star form after 2005 knee injuries curtailed his
season, turning starter Jon Papelbon
into closer. Papelbon, who allowed just
53 base runners in 68 1/3 Innings, is expected to return to a starting rotation
in need of young blood.
|
2006
BATTING ORDER (Most Used, 15 times)
|
|
BO
|
POS
|
PLAYER
|
BA
|
HR
|
RBI
|
|
1
|
1B
|
Kevin
Youkilis
|
.279
|
13
|
72
|
|
2
|
2B
|
Mark
Loretta
|
.285
|
5
|
59
|
|
3
|
DH
|
David Ortiz
|
.287
|
54
|
137
|
|
4
|
OF
|
Manny
Ramirez
|
.321
|
35
|
102
|
|
5
|
OF
|
Trot Nixon
|
.268
|
8
|
52
|
|
6
|
C
|
Jason
Varitek
|
.238
|
12
|
55
|
|
7
|
3B
|
Mike Lowell
|
.284
|
20
|
80
|
|
8
|
OF
|
Coco Crisp
|
.264
|
8
|
36
|
|
9
|
SS
|
Alex
Gonzalez
|
.255
|
9
|
50
|
The good news in Boston is that help is on
the way. Boston
spared no expense during the offseason signing Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka, second baseman Julio Lugo from Tampa
Bay, dealt with the Angels for relief
pitchers Brendan Donnelly and JC Romero, and also added starter possibly turned
closer, Joel Pineiro from Seattle.
The teams' minor league
system will soon contribute infielder Dustin
Pedroia, who was called up after posting a .810 OPS in 423 AB for Triple-A
Pawtucket. He is expected to replace the departed Loretta, and the team will
have left-handed John Lester
from the start in 2007.
|
2006 PITCHING ROTATION
|
|
|
RH/LH
|
PLAYER
|
WIN/LOSS
|
ERA
|
|
1
|
RH
|
Josh Beckett
|
16-11
|
5.01
|
|
2
|
RH
|
Curt Schilling
|
15-7
|
3.97
|
|
3
|
RH
|
Tim Wakefield
|
7-11
|
4.63
|
|
4
|
LH
|
Jon Lester
|
7-2
|
4.76
|
|
5
|
RH
|
Matt Clement
|
5-5
|
6.61
|
The team leaders represent
the usual suspects with few challenging either Ramirez or Ortiz in any
offensive category last season. Catcher Jason Varitek went down in early August
after tearing cartilage in his left knee, a knee injury relegated David Wells to a non-factor before
being traded to San Diego and Baltimore import Javy Lopez did little in
Varitek's absence. Longtime National Leaguer, Mike Lowell, did regain his power stroke busting out with 47
doubles on the season.
Though 2006 surprises were
here and there, they were far outweighed by the disappointments. Jason Varitek had just 33 extra base hits,
shortstop Alex Gonzalez had a .299
OBA and center fielder Coco Crisp
was the only player with over five steals. As has been the case with Boston
over the last decade, team speed is not an organizational priority, and never
will be with the current front office.
|
CATEGORY
|
TEAM
LEADERS
|
STATISTIC
|
|
BATTING AVERAGE
|
Manny Ramirez
|
.321
|
|
HOME RUNS
|
David Ortiz
|
54
|
|
RUNS BATTED IN
|
David Ortiz
|
137
|
|
RUNS
|
David Ortiz
|
115
|
|
STOLEN BASES
|
Coco Crisp
|
22
|
|
OPS
|
Manny Ramirez
|
1.058
|
|
WINS
|
Josh Beckett
|
16
|
|
SAVES
|
Jon Papelbon
|
35
|
|
ERA
|
Curt Schilling
|
3.97
|
|
STRIKE OUTS
|
Curt Schilling
|
183
|
