El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

Yawkey Way Is Home To A Top Front Office?

This Minor Details podcast with Alex Speier and KLaw got me thinking that the Red Sox are quick to implement winning baseball strategies from other teams. First, it was OBP from Oakland, and then it was defense from their rivals in Tampa. Now, it seems the Sox are copying the Rangers by converting relievers to starters.

The Sox still have interest in Andrew Bailey, according to Buster Olney, even after acquiring Mark Melancon. The acquisition of another back end reliever would likely push Daniel Bard and/or Alfredo Acceves to the rotation. But the Theo Epstein and Ben Cherrington era has not discovered a winning undervalued baseball skill or strategy. (The jury is somewhat still out on paying above slot in the latter rounds of the draft.) The Sox front office has not been ahead of the curve and it could be a reason the Olde Towne Team has only had a better record than the Yankees twice during Epstein-Cherrington regime. Better innovation would benefit Yawkey Way.

By-the-way, WTF is going on with the Red Sox SIGNIFICANT compensation from the Cubs. It is unlikely to be SIGNIFICANT now since both teams have made deals. The Red Sox should have never let Epstein leave without having compensation in place. Larry Lucchino got played.