VOTE: 10 Questions Surrounding 2017 Boston Red Sox
By Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
BOSTON (CBS) -- As we get set to make history with another presidential election, let's turn to the polls and have you answer some Red Sox questions looking ahead to 2017.
Let's begin with a quick look back. The Sox finished 93-63 to win the AL East title and then lost in a three-game sweep to the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Would you consider the 2016 season a success?
The Red Sox did not waste any time after getting swept out of the postseason, quickly announcing that John Farrell would be back as manager in 2017. Was that the right move?
So with their managerial decision out of the way, Dombrowski can put his focus on improving the roster. But what should be atop his to-do list this offseason?
The Red Sox currently have David Price, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez for the front of their rotation, with the likes of Clay Buchholz, Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright vying for the final two spots. Is that enough going into next season?
The Red Sox have a giant hole in the middle of their order with David Ortiz retiring. That also opens the door for someone else to take over at DH -- or multiple players to full that position.
The one position with a giant question mark this offseason is third base. Travis Shaw started 99 games at the hot corner, making 105 appearances overall, but may be better suited for a move across the diamond if Pablo Sandoval returns to form. And if the Red Sox want to go young, there's always rookie phenom Yoan Moncada, who went just 4-for-19 with 12 strikeouts in his brief major league stint at the end of the season.
Now let's head across the diamond to first base, where Hanley Ramirez was solid in his first season at the position. But if he finds himself as Boston's full-time DH, that opens the door for someone else to take over.
With Dombrowski at the helm, there is always the possibility that he could deal one of the team's young stars for an established player. Would you be willing to say goodbye to one of these three promising players?
Benintendi looked like he belonged after being called up in August last season, and if not traded, he figures to join Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts in the 2017 Red Sox outfield. There is also the outside chance that Dombrowski goes out and adds a veteran to that mix.
The Red Sox have a pair of promising backstops, but catcher is a position in flux at the moment. There's Blake Swihart, who was starting to transition to the outfield before getting injured in June, and Christian Vazquez, who fell out of favor with the team and spent most of the year in Pawtucket. Sandy Leon swung a mammoth bat for a good chunk of the season, but probably isn't a full-time option. So what should the Sox do behind the plate?
Hope you had some fun thinking ahead to the 2017 Red Sox. Now go out and vote if you haven't already!
