Looking from the outside the Boston Red Sox did not have a bad year. They did finished with a 90-72 record, but that was not good enough for a playoff spot this past season. In Boston it is playoffs or bust, so this was a busted season by their standards. Offensively, the Boston Red Sox were first in runs, slugging percentage, and on base average, and second in batting average. The problem was not on offense it was on defense and pitching. The bullpen let to many leads slip away and the starting pitching was horrible at times.
The Red Sox also had accountability issues as well. It seems drinking and many other things were going on under Terry Francona's watch and now he is no longer the manager. The next guy they bring into Boston must make the players accountable for the things they do on and off the field. Until that is done the Red Sox will continue to struggle. David Oritz has said he probably wants out of Boston and maybe bringing in Carlos Beltran is something they may want to do.
Right now the number one thing for the Boston Red Sox is to get a guy in their that will make everyone accountable for their own actions. No more doing what you want when you want to do it. A tough manager is needed to get this team going in the right direction. The Red Sox are still very talented, but to get back to where they want to be changes will need to be made.
