Every Red Sox fan will always remember the team's historic collapse in September 2011. The Sox had all the tools in place to make a World Series run last season, but blew a 9 game lead in 25 days to be eliminated from playoff contention. Red Sox GM Theo Edstien re-signed after the season, and manager Terry Francona was fired. Rumors of players drinking in the club house, and ordering food during games created much controversy throughout the fall, and into the winter months. Changes needed to be made, and they were .
Big question marks surround the Red Sox entering this 2012 season. One big one being how will new manager Bobby Valentine handle the team. He hasn't managed a team since 2002. He has been working at ESPN, as a Baseball Tonight analyst ever since. The hiring of Valentine raiused a lot of eye brows in Boston , but with a good team in place, we'll see how he handles it.
A few roster moves have been made since the end of the 2011 season. right fielder J.D Drew wasn't re-signed, and was replaced with Cody Ross. Ross, formally of the San Fransisco Giants, won World series MVP for them back in 2010. Ross is 31 years old, but adds a veteran presence in the club house that could definatly help stabilize the locker room. Our shortstops lat season, marco Scutero, and Jed Lowery are both gone, and a competition between 30 year old Mike Aviles , and prospect Julio Iglasias has begun to take over that spot. Every other position is likely tio stay the same. Carl Crawford will play left field, Jacoby Elsburry in center, and Cody Ross will play right. Kevin Youkillis will play 3rd, shortstop is still up in the air, Dustin Pedroia will play 2nd base, and slugging Adrian Gonzalez will play 1st,, with Jared Saltilamakia behind the plate.David ortiz will also be returning as our DH, which is a great thing for the fans of Boston, because everybodty loves Big Papi.
The pitching staff will most likly stay the same with a few changes. Jon Lester will be our number 1 starter followed by Josh Beckett, and Clay Bucholtz. diauske Matsuzaka will return from having season ending shoulder surgery, and new comer Chris Carpenter from the Cubs will round out our rotation. Long time starter Tim Wakefield has retired along with catcher Jason Varetek, both will be missed. In the bullpen, you will see pretty much the same guys as last year except the fact that Johnathan Papelbon will not be back. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies , and Andrew Bailey who we got from the Oakland A's will replace him. Bailey is a young solid closer who will hopefully add a spark in the bullpen this year. In this Fenway Park's 100th season the Red Sox hope to end the 2012 season the way they ended the 1912 season, with a World Championship. Spring Training is underway, and we shall see what happens.
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