When the season began, I wrote that the 2021 Red Sox would go only as far as their pitching would take them. The offense, I predicted, would be among the best in baseball, and I was right. The Red Sox offense ranked second in the Majors in slugging (.449), third in OPS (.777), third in batting (.261), and fifth in runs per game (5.1).
However, the imbalances of their offense finally caught up to them in the American League Championship Series. Feast or famine clearly doesn't work in the playoffs. The Red Sox scored a total of three runs in their final 27 innings of baseball this year. That’s how playoff series are lost.
In reality, the Red Sox schizophrenic performance in the ALCS was more of the same; we had already seen an extended preview.
The Red Sox inconsistent results over the season's two months could be described as a tale of two teams, and this was clearly on display in the ALCS. It was if the Red Sox team had a split personality; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They were two teams in one: laconic and explosive. You never knew which team would show up from game to game.
But all the blame cannot be laid at the feet of Boston’s offense.
Red Sox pitchers surrendered 5 earned runs in both Games 1 and 2. While that may get it done in the regular season, it rarely results in wins during the postseason, where pitching typically dominates. Yet, Sox pitchers allowed 11 earned runs (12 total) in Game 3, and 8 earned runs (9 total) in Game 4; that’s rarely a winning formula. Though Sox pitchers allowed just 4 runs in Game 5, defensive miscues resulted in a total of 9 Houston runs. Again, that rarely leads to a win. Finally, Sox pitchers surrendered 5 earned runs in the deciding Game 6, while their offense delivered nothing, zip, zilch.
Add it all up and the end result was quite predictable.
Yet, this season should be viewed as nothing less than a smashing success.
In spring training, the notion of the Red Sox being in the ALCS seemed more than improbable; it seemed impossible.
Considering that the Red Sox win-total for this season was projected at 80.5 by oddsmakers, the fact that they won 92 games is remarkable. The fact that they made the playoffs in a division with four 90-plus-wins teams (which had never happened before) is incredible. The fact that they beat the Yankees in their first one-game playoff matchup since 1978 was delightful. That they eliminated the defending American League Champion Tampa Rays was inconceivable. Yet, the fact that they were eliminated by Houston in the ALCS was predictable.
This team had flaws and they were exploited. But that doesn’t take away from the extraordinary results they managed over the course of 162 regular season games and 11 playoff games.
We shouldn’t forget that this was supposed to be a bridge year. The fact that the Sox made it to the ALCS is beyond surprising; it's stunning.
As Red Sox fans used to say for decades, Wait until next year! The team will be even better; they have a great nucleus of Bogaerts, Devers, Dalbec, and Verdugo. But they will surprise no one in 2022.
The Sox will have some interesting decisions to make in the coming weeks and months.
We’ve likely seen the last of Martin Perez and Garrett Richards, neither of whom is likely to be renewed. Richards’ absence from the ALCS roster was telling.
Tanner Houck will get a rotation spot next season, joining Chris Sale, Nate Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta and, perhaps, Garret Whitlock, unless the Sox are determined to make him their closer. He just seems to have much more value as a multi-inning starter.
Will Eduardo Rodriguez be re-signed? He’s been so frustrating over the course of his career. The Red Sox have spent years waiting for him to blossom into at least a reliable No. 2 starter, yet he consistently performs more like a No. 4. How much do the Sox value him at this point?
Will the Sox retain free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino, who was probably overpaid this year at $8 million?
The Sox will certainly explore the free agent and trade markets for another starter. They need another frontline pitcher to compete in the stacked AL East. At the least, they need someone who is consistently reliable.
Will JD Martinez opt in or opt out? His decision will impact the Red Sox intentions with Kyle Schwarber, who is best-suited as a DH. Schwarber is extremely limited defensively and is otherwise a player without a position. Though the Sox surely love his bat, can they really carry two DH’s?
Can Jarren Duran hit well enough to be a reliable fourth outfielder next season?
Dustin Pedroia’s $12 million finally comes off the books this offseason. Richards made $10 million this year, including his buyout; bringing him back would cost $8.5 million. Rodriguez made $8.3 million. Ottavino made $8 million. Perez made $5 million. If Martinez opts out, the Sox will save $19.375 million.
Add it all up, and the Sox could have $61 million to play with in the free agent market.
Chaim Bloom has made a series of savvy moves in restocking the farm system, and some of the Sox top prospects could impact the roster next season, including first baseman Triston Casas, second baseman Jeter Downs, righty Connor Seabold, lefty Jay Groome, and righty Josh Winckowski.
The point is, this team has deep pockets, ample payroll space, and is stacked with prospects waiting to make the jump to the majors.
Have hope Red Sox fans. This year was just a preview. The future looks bright.
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