Roche: Disappointing First Half & Other Red Sox Observations
BOSTON (CBS) -- The first half of the 2015 season was a major disappointment for the Boston Red Sox.
They are 42-47 and 6.5 games back in a very average AL East. They were in position to whittle the first place Yankees lead down to 2.5 -- or at a more realistic 4.5 games if they took two of three during their weekend series -- but Boston blew that opportunity Sunday.
How do you sum up the first half? Simple. Disappointing.
They had such promise coming into spring training and out if it as well. The line-up was solid from 1-9 and we thought they had an offense capable of putting up 5-7 runs per game. With that, all the starters and bullpen had to do was give up 4-5 runs and the Sox could compete every night. Unfortunately, we didn't see that for the first two months of the season.
So now, despite the fact that they are playing better as of late, we sit here at the All-Star break wondering if Ben Cherington should buy or sell.
My thought on that? Both.
Here are a few thoughts from the first 89 games of the season:
- The starting rotation of "five aces" has been a disaster as a whole. Clay Buchholz stumbled out of the gate (minus Opening Day), but began pitching like an ace in the month of June (he's 16-1 for the month in his career). However, now he's landed back on the DL in July (again) and is out at least a month with an elbow strain. Hopefully he gets healthy and right back to where he left off.
--Rick Porcello and Wade Miley haven't pitched like the seasoned young veterans we thought they were. Both have been too inconsistent and didn't seem ready for the pressurized Boston market. It's taken them a while to get used to pitching here. I'm sure Ben is hoping that an adjustment will be made, and that at least Porcello will be better.
-- Both Justin Masterson and Joe Kelly have struggled. Masterson can't stay healthy while Kelly just hasn't become consistent on the big league level. He's a big time tease and, perhaps one day, will put it all together.
-- The bright spot in the rotation has been rookie Eduardo Rodriguez. I was told this offseason that he may be the ace that the Sox lost when Jon Lester left, and he certainly looks like he could play the part. Everything from Rodriguez has been very encouraging.
- I'm also excited about Brian Johnson. He was called up when Buchholz landed on the DL, and he appears to have the make-up and look of a top of the rotation guy... some day.
-- As for the bullpen? It's been good, but has been used way too often out of necessity by John Farrell. It will need reinforcements in the second half.
- By the way, with 22 saves in 24 opportunities, Koji Uehara has quieted all those that said he was finished last year.
-- I will say that there has been a major difference in the pitching staff when Ryan Hanigan is healthy. Nothing against rookie Blake Swihart (who looks like he will be a star sooner rather than later), but Hanigan seems to know the buttons to push on this pitching staff. The team has also missed Christian Vazquez.
-- When it comes to the Boston offense, how can you not be excited about the future, and present, with Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts leading the way. Cherington now has a lead-off and No. 3 hitter for years to come, and a pair of bats he can build around. Both have made huge strides this year and you have to figure the power will come with Bogaerts.
-- Hanley has been Hanley. He's hit well, but the transition to left field has been terrible. There's no question that Boston's best defensive lineup is with Alejandro De Aza in left, Shane Victorino in right and Hanley at DH. However, it's not realistic.
-- Brock Holt has been everything you would want as a super utility man and that's where he belongs, giving everyone a day off around the infield and outfield.
-- Mike Napoli is hanging on by a thread. If his mighty struggles continue, they may have to continue to bury him on the bench or even DFA him. But, it's not from a lack of caring. He's just not there upstairs at the moment.
-- Pablo Sandoval has been OK. It's taken him a long time to adjust to Boston, so maybe he'll be better in the second half.
-- David Ortiz will still end up around 25-30 home runs and 80-100 RBIs this season. The first base saga is a non-story. He'll play the field in National League parks but that's about it. Any more than that and a trip to the DL becomes more and more likely.
Overall, the Red Sox are playing better, but what does that mean? Not much at this point as they are a long shot to get back into playoff contention. But you never know.
As for Cherington, I would re-shape this roster for the second half and for 2016. Mix the youth, and make everyone available except for Betts, Bogaerts, and Swihart. Then figure out what you have and hope it's good enough to have a great shot in 2016.
It's simple stuff, but nothing is ever simple here in New England.
Enjoy the break.
Dan Roche gives his state of the Red Sox on Toucher & Rich:
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
