Let's Play Drew...

Boston Red Sox
Overall: 20-24 (3 games out of playoffs)
Last Week: 1-5

So, Stephen Drew is back. And I for one, welcome him. Sure, he's a Drew. Which puts him right next to Joe Dirt at the underachievement nexus of the universe. And, yes. Paying him a pro-rated $14 million (basically $10 mil) is ridiculously absurd. But, sadly he provides an upgrade to the left side of the Red Sox infield on both sides of the ball. That, combined with his familiarity and apparent popularity within the clubhouse (and the fact he's easily the best guy available), and there's no real argument that he doesn't nicely fill what's rapidly become a gaping void, and should provide at least a decent upgrade. Despite his obvious shortcomings, and the last name that occasionally graces his back...

Now granted, if AAA stud Garin Cecchini gets called up in the interim (as expected by many) and pulls a Will Middlebrooks (the good, not the bad), this move will seem like a waste of time and money. But in the mean time, there's still plenty of time and it's not my money. I say the more the merrier, until the problem works itself out. And if anything, it's just encouraging that the front office also realizes there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Whether you agree with their particular choice, is a different story. But at least their addressing the problem, as opposed to playing the "youth" card while the left side of diamond continues to play chicken with the Mendoza line...

"Of course his name used to be Mike Stanton."
 - Joe Castiglione...hopefully

So, yeah. Stephen Drew is back. And hopefully he can provide some stability to what's been an underwhelming part of the lineup. Unfortunately, whether he does that or not, he still can't pitch. And it's pitching that continues to be what's holding this team back. Dubront is down, Buchholz continues to be a shadow of his former self (mostly not being able to effectively throw that devastating change up), and the rest of the staff just isn't dominant enough to make up for it (not their "fault", but facts is facts). Add to the fact that, unlike in years past, the offense hasn't been able to cover those warts. They've begun to come around, of late, despite the continued struggles of Bogaerts, Bradley, Middlebrooks. And by that I mean Big Papi is absolutely tearing the cover off of the ball. But they're obviously gonna need more than that to stay in the hunt...

Which gets me to thinkin'. Is this Stephen Drew acquisition merely the attempt to "tinker" before finally settling on a major move? Say, a Giancarlo Stanton-type? I don't know. I do know that would be my thought process, right now. You know, if I actually thought it was within reason to think my team could win the World Series. Something that should become evident, no matter the performance of Stephen Drew, within the next month or so. If the Sox are playing well? I wouldn't rule out a big move that helps push them over the top. If not, I'd expect them to hold pat and play for the future. AKA I expect them to make the best business decision. Something they've proven rather good during their tenure as an ownership group. i mean, at least when it comes to putting a good group of players on the field. They're still too Pink-Hattish for my liking, but that's a different column for a different day that you don't want to read and I don't want to write!

Speaking of not wanting to write, I'm already behind the 8-ball thanks to some day baseball at the job for which I actually get paid. So I've gotta go. Haven't even had time to watch the new Fargo yet, for Pete's sake! So I'm gonna do all that, you can do the Teddish stuff you do, and we'll meet back here next week. Or I'll catch you on the Twitter. It's where the elite meet to Tweet, friends. And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you're not using Twitter, then you're missing out. It's really that simple. So get on board, and get your timeline right. If for no other reason than you don't want to be accused of having a Twitter Education Deficiency. And you know that's my new favorite acronym now, too...

So, yeah. Have a good one, friends. And enjoy you're Memorial Day weekend. OR as I like to call it, the beginning of bikini season. Just don't forget to turn your jugs back. I mean turn your clock rack. Wait, that's not even what time of year it is. OK, time to bounce. You know, before I make a complete boob out of myself...OH!

OK, Happy Mammary-ial Day. And I'll catch you next time...


#BAGSMUNMAN