Podcast: Assessing the 2011 Red Sox Offseason
Can Ben Cherington lead the Red Sox back to the promised land?
Recently, I was asked to make another appearance on Alex Reimer’s Red Sox Podcast, Without a Curse, to talk about how an “outsider” perceived the Boston Red Sox 2011 offseason so far.
We examined several aspects of Boston’s winter of discontent, including:
- Do BoSox fans have reason to moan about the fact their team hasn’t extended its payroll by acquiring a much-needed starting pitcher or are they just whiney brats?
- The ousting of Manager Terry Francona, GM Theo Epstein’s departure and the lengthy process of replacing that pair — not to mention the ongoing squabble with the Cubs over the compensation the Red Sox should receive for Epstein.
- How little new GM Ben Cherington has impressed me so far, although in fairness, he seems hamstrung by the Sox’ desperate drive to avoid the luxury tax.
- The rotation questions, including whether Daniel Bard can make the transition to starting and if one of their cast of outcasts can emerge as a viable fifth starter.
- How much more money team owner John Henry dropped on Liverpool than he did on the BoSox.
Alex and I discussed what the Sox will have to do to get back to the playoffs this season and whether the organization as a whole can still be considered among the most progressive in the game.
My portion of the show comes in around the 18 minute mark and you can hear the Podcast in its entirety by clicking the play button below.
[podcast]https://rotorob.com/podcasts/Baseball_Podcast_Feb1312.mp3[/podcast]
