Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox had designs on contending in 2016. While they did make the postseason, they also showed that the future could be impressive as well.
Expectations were high for the Boston Red Sox heading into the 2016 campaign. After a disappointing 2015 season that saw the dismissal of former General Manager Ben Cherrington, Dave Dombrowski came to town. He sought to change the Red Sox, revamping a roster that had quite a few holes.
He did just that, bringing in David Price to front the rotation. The bullpen, which had been problematic, was fortified via a trade that brought in Craig Kimbrel. John Farrell was given the ability to start players based on merit, instead of salary. That freedom led to the benching of Pablo Sandoval, sending a message to the team.
While most of the focus was on David Ortiz‘ farewell tour, the Red Sox lived up to expectations. They won the American League East, despite their struggles down the stretch. Alas, it was not to be a sotrybook ending for Ortiz, as Boston was swept by the Cleveland Indians, but it was still quite the impressive season.
Perhaps even more importantly, the future for the Red Sox is still bright. Mookie Betts became a potential MVP candidate, while Jackie Bradley Jr. continued his ascension to stardom. Travis Shaw looked like a solid piece for the Red Sox. Meanwhile, down on the farm, Michael Kopesh struck out everyone that dares set foot in the batter’s box against him.
Let us take one last look at the 2016 season for the Boston Red Sox, and those stories that captured our attention this season.
Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
David Ortiz shows he has plenty in the tank.
Typically, when a player announces that he will retire at the end of the season, it is because they are on their last legs. That final season is usually a disappointment, as that legend goes out as a shadow of himself. However, someone forgot to tell David Ortiz about the way that legends are supposed to exit.
Instead of fading away, the Boston Red Sox designated hitter went out with one of his best seasons, let alone one of the greatest final seasons ever by a player in the MLB. He had the third highest OPS+ of his career, while producing an incredible .315/.401/.620 batting line with 38 home runs. Oritz led the American League with 48 doubles, 127 RBI, and 15 intentional walks, while also leading the league in slugging and OPS.
Even though it seemed like Ortiz could continue playing beyond this season, his feet just could not take any longer. The Boston legend was “playing on stumps” by the end of the season, as he had been dealing with foot injuries since 2013. Those ailments affected his bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles and skin, making his incredible season all the more remarkable.
Ortiz would push himself, forcing his way in the lineup when he likely should have had the day off. Feeling obligated to perform in front of the fans one last time, he played at a level that would be truly remarkable for any player his age, let alone one who could barely move.
David Ortiz made an impressive impact upon the Red Sox during his time in Boston. His final season will be the standard against which all other farewell tours will be matched up against.
Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox have a new core.
With David Ortiz departing, and Dustin Pedroia having had injury concerns of his own over the years, it was time for the Boston Red Sox youth to step forward. They did just that his season.
Xander Bogaerts took the next step towards stardom, adding more power to his game. He made his first All Star Game, producing a .294/.356/.446 batting line with 21 home runs and 34 doubles. His walk rate jumped from 4.9% in 2015 to 8.2% last year, as he was much more selective at the plate.
Jackie Bradley Jr. had a breakout final six weeks to the 2015 campaign, but there were questions as to whether or not that production would be sustainable. He answered that question with a stellar year, producing a .267/.349/.486 batting line, hitting 26 home runs. Already viewed as one of the better center fielders in the game, Bradley produced offensively over a full season for the first time in his career.
However, the biggest breakout came from Mookie Betts. After bouncing around the diamond in his first couple of seasons, he found a home in right, leading all right fielders in double plays, putouts, and fielding percentage. His 20 runs saved were the second most, and fourth best mark in the American League, regardless of position.
On the offensive side, Betts had an MVP caliber season. A key cog to the Red Sox success, he produced a .318/.363/.534 batting line with 31 homers and 42 doubles. Betts also stole 26 bases, coming tantalizingly close to the 30/30 club. With Ortiz leaving, he may well become the next player to step into a leadership role on the Red Sox.
With each of these players still 27 years old or younger, the future is bright in Boston. THis core may well lead the team forward into the next decade.
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Rick Porcello shows he is worth the contract.
When the Boston Red Sox traded for Rick Porcello prior to the 2015 season, and then signed him to a four year, $82.5 Million extension, eyebrows were raised. After his rough first season in Boston, that contract looked as though it would be a disaster. Instead, Porcello emerged as the Red Sox ace, living up to his end of the contract.
In a campaign that is certain to receive attention from the Cy Young voters, Porcello had a career year. He led the league with 22 wins and a 5.91 strikeout to walk rate, as he was able to induce the weakest contact of his career. Opponents only produced a .230/.268/.367 batting line against the Red Sox righty, as he used his defense to great effect.
Overall, Porcello posted a 22-4 record with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.009 WHiP. In his 223.0 innings, he struck out 189 batters while issuing only 32 walks. With the struggles that the Red Sox had in their rotation, Porcello’s emergence was a key factor in their run to the postseason.
However, that success leads to questions. Can he perform at the same level next season? With his best season on the heels of his worst season, which one was the outlier? Or, will Porcello settle back in as a middle of the rotation innings eater, the type of pitcher who slots perfectly as a third starter, but should not be fronting a rotation?
Rick Porcello gave the Boston Red Sox exactly what they hoped for. Now, can he do it again?
Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
David Price disappoints in his first season in Boston.
While Rick Porcello gave the Boston Red Sox more than they could have hoped for, the same could not be said of David Price.
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Although Price did not pitch like an ace, his season was skewed by a rough start to the year. After posting a 9-8 record with a 4.34 ERA in his first 24 appearances, Price got himself together down the stretch. In his final eleven games, he was 8-1 with a 3.27 ERA, striking out 69 batters in 74.1 innings. That is closer to the production that the Red Sox envisioned when they signed him to a seven year contract.
Overall, his final stat line for 2016 was not terrible. Price was 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA and a 1.204 WHiP. He struck out 228 batters with only 50 walks in a league leading 230 innings, solid numbers as he slowly found his footing in Boston.
What may be of more concern is how Price performed in the postseason. Known for his struggles when the calendar flips to October, Price once again bombed in the playoffs. This time, as the Red Sox were swept by the Indians, he allowed five runs on six hits and two walks in 3.1 innings of work. That was not the type of performance that the Red Sox were hoping for, despite his track record.
David Price had the type of finish that the Boston Red Sox needed. Now, they have to hope that he can perform at that level over a full season.
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