2008 Red Sox Report Card-Infielders

After having enough time to let the Red Sox loss to the Tampa Bay Rays set in, I have decided it is time to sit down and try to blog again. I have been asked by a few of you when you will be able to log in and not see Paul Byrd staring at you. Well, today is that day. Today I present to you my report card for the 2008 Boston Red Sox. I figured to wait a couple days after the season was over so my grades would be more factual rather than emotional. I will be looking at 25 regulars, so therefore I will not be grading players like Gil Velasquez and David Ross. Without further adieu, I present to you my outlook on the 2008 Sox.

Catchers:

Jason Varitek- .220 13 home runs 43 RBI's

Grade- F

Varitek struggled offensively all year long and was frustrating to watch at the plate. In recent memory, I have not seen a player age so quickly over the course of a season like Jason Varitek did. Varitek is known for calling a great game and being a solid defensive catcher. Even those skills look to deterioate this season as he could not throw any base stealers out and the pitching staff was rocked in the ALCS. He is a free agent at the end of the season and with the lack of solid catching options the Sox may be forced to bring him back. I would say a contract of 2 years for 14 million would be sufficient.

Kevin Cash .225 3 home runs 15 RBI's

Grade- C

Cash had the uneviable task of being Tim Wakefield's personal catcher. He handled him very well and was not a liability that Josh Bard was when he was assigned to catch Wake. He did not put up any offensive numbers worthy of note and no one expected him to. Cash simply did his job. He may figure into a bigger role next season as he proved he is a solid defensive backstop with a cannon of an arm. I believe he and Tek will split the catching duties next season.

Infield:

Kevin Youkilis .312 29 home runs 115 RBI's

Grade- A

Youk's role changed when Manny Ramirez was dealt to the Dodgers. Youk went from being a guy who simply needed to get basehits to a guy who needed to deliver power numbers and protect David Ortiz in the lineup. I am guilty of not really appreciating Youk as much as I should. Throughout his career with the Sox, he has done whatever has been asked of him whether it be moving to first base from third, back to third, play the outfield, leadoff or even bat clean up. The scary thing is he keeps improving each year and shows no signs of slowing down.

Dustin Pedroia .326 17 home runs 83 RBI's

Grade- A

Easily my favorite player in all of baseball and potentially of all time. The man is listed at 5'9 but we all now its closer to 5'6. He easily gets my vote for MVP and yeah there may be a hometown bias there but its not unjustified. He played a gold glove second base. His average was as low as .252 this season but got it up to 2nd best in the majors at .326. He also stole 20 bases this year. There were no signs of a sophomore slump after his Rookie of the Year campaign. I look forward to seeing him in a Sox uniform for years to come.

Jed Lowrie .258 2 home runs 46 RBI

Grade: C

Lowrie was a hero in Red Sox Nation for the first couple months he was in Boston simply because his name was not Julio Lugo. For about a month after the All Star break, Lowrie led all shortstops with most RBI since the break. He eventually came back to earth and had a dismal September hitting .151. Reports after the ALCS said he had been playing with an injured wrist for a better part of the season. This may show the door to Lugo because a hurt Lowrie has proved to be better than a healthy Lugo. Hopefully Lowrie can improve and get up to about .280 and keep up his solid defense.

Mike Lowell .274 17 home runs 73 RBIs

Grade B-

Lowell was injured much of the season but still put up solid numbers for the 113 games he played. While he did not do anything outstanding, he was solid while he was in the lineup. The ALCS showed just how much the Sox missed his bat. It appears Lowell is breaking down citing his injuries this season. Reports are that the Sox brass has had internal discussions about bringing in Mark Teixiera and looking to trade Lowell. Yes, Lowell was the MVP of the 2007 World Series and has been a pleasant surprise since coming to town considering he was an afterthought in the Josh Beckett trade. But I think it would be a great idea to explore the Teixera option and see what the market is for Lowell.

To be continued....

Scottie