What are the Boston Red Sox going to be next season?
The Boston Red Sox dropped both games of a doubleheader on Tuesday with the New York Yankees. As the Red Sox trend toward another last place finish, Mazz asked the question: what are the Red Sox going to be next season?
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What are the Red Sox going to be in 2024?
Mazz: If I ask you right now, Mike, what are they going to be next year? What’s your answer?
Felger: Exactly the same as they are right now.
Mazz: Really?
Felger: Yes.
Mazz: Okay. My answer is I haven’t the slightest clue.
Felger: Like, so you mean record wise?
Mazz: Anything. Tell me.
Felger: Well, I mean, I don’t know, we’re going to discuss who’s the GM? Who’s the manager?
BOSTON, MA – JULY 26: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after his home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on July 26, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Mazz: Bingo! Stop there. Exactly. Exactly. So what’s the philosophy going to be? I don’t know. Are they going to spend? Are they not going to spend? They need pitching. The only way they can get pitching is to buy it. But I don’t know if they’re going to buy it. Okay. Who’s running the team? I don’t know. Do you? I don’t know who’s running the team. I don’t know if Chaim Bloom’s back. I don’t know if he’s gone. All right. Well, uniformed personnel. Who’s the manager? I don’t know. Don’t know! No idea. Is Cora back? Is he not back? No clue. I have no idea. How about the roster? What’s the roster look like? I don’t know. There’s a couple spots I can look at and say, okay, Triston Casas will be at first, I think Devers will be at third. I think Story will be the shortstop. Sale’s going to be on the roster. Bello is going to be on the roster. Who’s playing center field? I don’t know. Right field? I don’t know. Not sure. Who’s the starting pitcher? I don’t know. There’s no compass whatsoever. It doesn’t exist. I have no idea what the ownership philosophy really is. I mean, I think I do. But if they were to bring in a new executive, that could change. Like, maybe that’s part of the deal. So I have no idea what they really want. No idea how they’re going to get their pitching. No idea who’s leading the baseball operation. No clue! I have no clue where this is going.
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Every Rookie of the Year in Red Sox History
3. Carlton Fisk – 1972
BOSTON, MA – MAY 26: Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Boston Red Sox shakes hands with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, after Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)
A 21-year-old Carlton Fisk had his baseball career interrupted after joining the Army Reserve, but he came back with vengeance in 1972, winning Rookie of the Year, finishing 4th in MVP voting, and taking home a Gold Glove behind the plate. He ended up slashing .293/.370/.538/.909 with 22 homers, 28 doubles, and 9 triples. Fisk was the first unanimous AL Rookie of the Year and is still the last catcher to lead the AL in triples.
4. Fred Lynn – 1975
American baseball player Fred Lynn at bat for the Boston Red Sox, late 1970s. Lynn played for Boston from 1974 – 1980. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Fred Lynn owns the most memorable Rookie of the Year campaign in Red Sox history. On top of bringing home the Rookie of the Year award, he also won American League MVP, a Gold Glove, and helped lead the team to a World Series appearance against the Reds. It marked the start of 9 straight All-Star appearances.
5. Nomar Garciaparra – 1997
Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox looking on during the game against the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim, California on Aug. 5, 1999. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 8-0. (Tom Hauck/Allsport)
After a cameo in 1994, Nomar Garciaparra exploded onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year and finishing 8th in MVP voting in 1997. He ended up socking 30 homers and batting .306/.342/.534/.875, which led to him winning the only Silver Slugger of his career. Jose Cruz and Jason Dickson finished behind him in Rookie of the Year voting, but neither received any first place votes.
6. Dustin Pedroia – 2007
BOSTON, MA – MAY 07: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after throwing the runner out at first base in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the interleague game at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Dustin Pedroia was the last Red Sox player to accomplish the feat and it’s arguably the most memorable storyline of the 2007 World Series championship. After a slow start in April that talking voices hammered constantly, he finished the season with a final line of .317/.380/.442/.823 with 8 homers and 39 doubles. Now, whenever a top prospect tends to struggle, Pedroia is the very first name that comes to mind when certain parts of the fanbase are asking for patience.
