Need for Speed

Throughout their history, the Boston Red Sox have never been known for their team speed. But since center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury joined the team for good at the end of last season, the Sox have added a new dimension to their offense and it clearly has made them an even tougher team to deal with. No longer is this a plodding, station-to station team that waits for the three-run homer. These are the new Go-Go Sox. This season Ellsbury has 13 stolen bases in 13 tries (22 for 22 in his career) and more than that, he puts tremendous pressure on the opposing defense when he is on base. He always has to be accounted for and that makes pitchers pitch differently to the hitters behind him. And of course two guys named Ortiz and Manny hit lower in the order giving them plenty of RBI opportunities. The result is a team that so far leads the American League in runs scored. Combine that with solid starting pitching and you have a recipe for long term success in 2008. Ellsbury’s ability to beat out infield hits and stay out of double plays also increases the Sox’ scoring chances and allows them to extend innings against the opposing pitcher. It’s little things like this that don’t show up in the box score that wear opponents down. I think he’s been a big reason why the Sox have had so many late inning comeback wins this season. This is why the team was hesitant to trade Ellsbury to Minnesota for Johan Santana when that possibility was being discussed last winter. At the time, I stated that I did not want Santana if it meant giving up this kid. He brought so much energy to the team last October and I just felt he would be the kind of spark he’s been all season for years to come. I’ve seen nothing to change my mind about him so far. With Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and Justin Masterson, the Sox can develop the necessary pitching they need but finding a high-energy everyday player in the mold of Johnny Damon in his prime is hard to find. The Sox are lucky that they made the wise choice to hold onto Ellsbury. It will allow them to trade Coco Crisp later in the season for that middle reliever they so desperately need to complement Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon in the bullpen. Yes, sometimes the best trades ARE the ones you don’t make.