71 - 83, .461 pct. 5th in Bill James Division, 18 games behind.
Overall
Memphis had a rough year: the pitching was never very good, and there were a ton of disappointments on the offensive side as well. If they can find some pitching, however, there may be no team in the league better positioned for a bounce back, and they ended the year on a 17-4 record, perhaps indicating better times are coming.
What Went Right
There were some things. OF Reggie Smith and Ted Williams look like elite players, despite Williams’ late season slide. Smith is 23, Williams 21, so that should lock up 2 of the Red Sox’s OF slots for a while.
Billy Bryan hit very well in limited action, and both Bill White and Wade Boggs looked solid as well.
Sammy Sosa did very well after being obtained in a mid-season trade, posting a SLG of .551 with Memphis.
Stubby Overmire was a pleasant surprise after arriving from Houston, finishing 3rd in the WBL in ERA. He, Dean Chance and, when healthy, Bill Doak looked solid as starters and Jonathan Papelbon and Heath Bell were each fantastic in the bullpen.
ALL STARS RP Craig Kimbrel; OF Reggie Smith; OF Ted Williams
What Went Wrong
Neither Mookie Betts nor Manny Ramírez did enough, both being surpassed by Sosa on the depth chart (and with even more OF talent in the minors, it’s not clear if their futures lie with Memphis).
The MI was a mess all year, although Claude Ritchey did well enough at the end of the season to lay a claim for next year. Francisco Lindor and Dustin Pedroia were especially disappointing, leaving the Red Sox far too reliant on Iván De Jesús throughout the season (a fine utility part, not a starter).
The rest of the starting staff was a mess, either far too inconsistent (Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield) or just plain bad (Nixey Callahan especially).
Trade Evaluations
March
None
June
P Roger Clemens to Houston for OF Hack Wilson, P Jim Kaat, 2B DJ LeMahieu, P Stubby Overmire & 5th Round Pick {Nathan Eovaldi}
Clemens was struggling mightily in Memphis, and this is a nice haul of talent in return.
P Joe Beggs to Baltimore for P Willie Sudhoff, OF Alex Johnson & 4th Round Pick {Bill Lee}
Beggs’ age (33) makes this OK, I guess.
OF Tony Conigliaro, OF Fred Lynn & 2nd Round Pick to House of David for OF Sammy Sosa & 5th Round Pick
Seemed quite questionable at the time, but Sosa’s performance since has made this look like a win for the Red Sox.
July
C Jim Pagliaroni & 4th Round Pick to Birmingham for IF Woody English & 3B Candy Jim Taylor
Taylor is the best player in the deal, which usually would mean Memphis wins this one.
Looking Forward
SP
There is just so little talent here long term. Derek Lowe? I guess. A real weakness.
RP
Not bad. Papelbon and Bell for now, along with help from Joe Kelly and the continued effectiveness of Tim Wakefield as a swingman.
C
An area of need, especially if Billy Bryan stumbles. Jason Varitek has some promise and Kurt Suzuki showed outstanding defensive potential in a short trial (although he couldn’t hit a lick).
1B
Bill White did fine here, but he’s really just warming the spot for prospect David Ortiz.
2B
The Red Sox would love to see either DJ LeMahieu or Dustin Pedroia make this position theirs long term.
3B
Wade Boggs should be good here for a long time, although room will eventually need to be made for Candy Jim Taylor.
SS
Vern Stephens was supposed to be the answer, and if not Stephens, Francisco Lindor. Neither showed much, so there is some concern here.
LF
Ted Williams for at least a decade.
CF
Reggie Smith has this locked down, although Hack Wilson looks intriguing down the road.
RF
OK, this just gets messy. Somehow, between RF and DH, the Red Sox need to find playing time for Sammy Sosa, Mookie Betts, and Manny Ramírez, with Dwight Evans coming right behind them.
The Rookie Draft
Rounds 1-4
The most confounding spot in the draft so far is Memphis at #6. The Red Sox don’t have a 2nd round pick, and Carl Yastrzemski is unlikely to be around by the 3rd round. But the team is so deep at 1B/OF right now … there are two options here: take Yaz and make it tomorrow’s problem, capitalizing on his franchise status or take one of the young pitchers who will help them sooner, likely either Tom Glavine or Zack Greinke.
At the end of the day, the team decided to draft on talent over need, selecting Yastremski.
The Red Sox were thrilled that Dobie Moore was still around in the 3rd round, and hope the 25 year old can step right into the starting role at SS.
They took Bill Lee with the final pick of the 4th round.
Rounds 5-8
While more arms are never a bad thing, the Red Sox system is fairly sparse in 1B and OFers. So their 5th round picks are 1B Joe Cunningham, P Nathan Eovaldi, and P Dick Drago. With Eovaldi and Drago being franchise picks, it’s not clear what will compel Memphis to use its remaining exceptions.
One was spent on OF George Case in the 6th round, but franchise pitcher Mickey McDermott was the best arm available in the 7th round. While it’s not clear where he’ll actually play, it is obvious that Charlie Smith can hit, making him a potential steal in the 8th round with their final franchise exception.
Rounds 9-12
P Allen Russell; OF Troy O’Leary; P Dale Mohorcic; and P Connor Seabold.