With an eye toward contending in 2015, the Boston Red Sox’ front office has been evaluating their options going forward and identifying the team’s areas of greatest need since their season ended several weeks ago. Shockingly, no one from the organization has contacted me yet to ask my opinion. Clearly it must have just slipped their minds, so I’m going to step up and give it anyway. Here are what I think the Sox top five priorities for the offseason should be. No need to thank me, Ben Cherington.
Red Sox Offseason Priority Numero Uno: Hire a New Hitting Coach
Very little went right for the 2014 Red Sox, but the hitting, particularly with runners in scoring position, left the most to be desired. Even had hitting coach Greg Colbrunn not stepped down two weeks ago, it would have been surprising if the Sox had not at least considered replacing him in 2015. The Sox ranked 22nd in the league with a .244 team batting average and 18th in the league in runs scored. That number is particularly surprising because Boston actually finished in the top half of the league in on base percentage; thirteen other teams had higher team OBPs, but the Sox’ .316 team OBP was actually the 11th highest in the league, as several teams ahead of them tied in that category. The result was a .237 team batting average with RISP. Only three teams put up worse numbers in such situations.
The search for the answer has already begun. On Monday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reported that the Red Sox are interested in former New York Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long, who was fired last week. Long had served with the Yankees since 2007, and during his tenure the Bronx Bombers scored the second most runs in baseball. The Yanks’ offense has sputtered in recent seasons, but that has more to do with a roster riddled with injuries and aging players. Boston will certainly consider several candidates before deciding, but they could do much worse than Long.
Red Sox Offseason Priority Number Two: Reacquire Jon Lester
And just give him the contract he deserves. I don’t even want to hear about it. Ask him what he wants and give it to him. No more of this “no big contracts to veterans over 30” stuff; not with Lester, at least. While I agree with the policy in general, the Sox need to realize that it is O.K. to make exceptions, especially for the ace of the pitching staff, a guy who has spent his entire career, before this season, with the team. Even before the 2014 season began, Lester repeatedly expressed his desire to remain in Boston, and stated that he would take a hometown discount to make that happen. Then the Red Sox presented him with an insultingly low offer, to the tune of about $70 million, and negotiations seemingly broke down after that and never really picked up again.
After having what may have been the best season of his career, the hometown discount may be off the table, but a reunion between Lester and the Red Sox is perhaps even more likely now than it was before he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. When it finally became apparent that Lester would be traded before the deadline, he told the media that he would still like to return to the Red Sox even if a trade did happen, and would be unlikely to accept an extension from his new team. Almost immediately after the trade went through, sources within the organization indicated that the Red Sox were gearing up for a big push to reacquire Lester after the season, and that the team intentionally dealt him to a team that would not have the funds to keep him. Lester is a fan favorite and a clubhouse leader, and was the Sox’ best pitcher last season. Clay Buchholz improved down the stretch after a dismal first half, but he is too inconsistent and too often injured to be relied upon as the ace of the staff. The parade of rookies, such as Henry Owens and Matt Barnes, that have been and will be called up and given looks in the rotation would also benefit from Lester’s presence and guidance. Ben, if you do nothing else this offseason: Make. This. Happen.
Red Sox Offseason Priority Number Three: Sign James Shields
The Red Sox need another proven starter behind Lester. Buchholz has been that guy in the past, but his aforementioned inconsistency makes him more of a number three or four starter, despite his potential. The Sox have long been rumored to have an interest in acquiring Shields, and though Shields is currently pitching for the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles, reports have begun to surface that the Sox are the early favorites for Shields’ services. Kansas City will certainly try to retain the veteran righty, who won 14 games and posted a 3.21 earned run average in 2014, but the Red Sox have more money and an itch to spend after the debacle that was the 2014 season. The Sox are very familiar with Shields, having faced him often while he was with the Tampa Bay Rays, and know what they would be getting with him. A five-year, $85 million contract should do the trick.
Red Sox Offseason Priority Number Four: Reacquire Andrew Miller
The big lefty was the Sox’ primary set-up man before being traded to the Orioles, and could fill that role again in 2014. Like Lester, Miller expressed a willingness to return to Boston even if traded. He put up a 2.34 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP in 50 games with the Red Sox, and pitched even better with the Orioles (1.35 ERA, 0.60 WHIP in 23 games) to finish the season with a ridiculous 1.8 WAR. Miller is one of the game’s premier relievers, lefty or otherwise, and a lot of teams will be vying for him. But as with Shields, the Sox can offer more money than most, giving them a significant advantage should they pursue a reunion with Miller.
Red Sox Offseason Priority Number Five: Extend Yoenis Cespedes
This is not last on this list because its least important. It is, however, the least urgent and the least likely, as Cespedes is signed through 2015 and, as one of the best young hitters in the game, will be hard to keep off the free agent market. But that does not mean the Sox should not at least try. He hit five home runs and knocked in 33 runners while slugging .423 for Boston. He also raised his batting average by 13 points after coming over from Oakland and provided his usual stellar defense in right field. His swing is made for the Green Monster, and he offers critical protection for designated hitter David Ortiz and first baseman Mike Napoli. The Red Sox need a young power bat in their lineup, and Cespedes fits that mold. If they can extend him beyond 2015, the Sox should have a solid young outfield with Mookie Betts and Rusney Castillo also under team control for several more years.
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