State of the Red Sox

Today the Red Sox are in second place. Behind the Yankees.

Somehow I didn't mind when the Sox were in second place behind the Orioles who got off to a hot start to the season. Being behind the Yankees hurts.

Boston is in second (tied for second actually) because in their last 10 games they went 3-7 while the Yankees went 8-2. That includes the Sox losing 3 of 4 against the Yankees at Fenway. I'm not one to panic and I don't believe in making moves just for the sake of making moves but something has to be done.

Mark Bellhorn went on the 15-day DL with a sprained thumb. That made the Sox recall Kevin Youkilis from Pawtucket and put Alex Cora into the starting lineup. Cora made the most of his start last night - going 2-4. Cora's defense is superior to Bellorn's and all Cora would have to do is manage a better than .328 OBP to prove more valuable than Bellhorn's Swiss cheese bat.

My fears at 2nd are two-fold. First - with Bellhorn on the DL the Sox have no real back-up at 2nd in case something happens to Cora. Sure Youkilis could be used in an emergency and Bill Mueller has played 2nd in the past. So my first fear is something happening to Cora. My second fear is Cora doing great but Francona giving second back to Bellhorn when he gets healthy because "starters don't lose their positions because of injury".

There really isn't much out there that would be enough of an upgrade over Cora to justify a trade (unless there was a bombshell trade for Soriano). Players like Tony Graffanino, Orlando Hudson or Damian Jackson (who may become available since Mark Loretta comes back next week) are not better options than Cora. Pedroia or Ramirez coming up from the minors are interesting options but I'd as soon not do that.

What about starting pitching? AJ Burnett? He's never started 30 games in a season and he seems to have Carl Pavano written all over him. He may have better pitching "stuff" than Bronson Arroyo but Bronson is made of sterner "stuff" and that gives Bronson the edge in my book. Jason Schmidt? I don't see the Giants trading him. Mark Redman? He's no upgrade over either Wade Miller or David Wells. I can't see a trade for a starter.

I think the move to be made has to be at first. Get rid of Kevin Millar. Send a message and upgrade the position at the same time. Houston or the Nationals would take Millar in exchange for a PTBNL. Give Millar's AB to Youkilis and Olerud. Bring up Pedroia from Pawtucket to be a pinch runner and utility infielder. Let him learn from the bench. (I'm not against bringing up Ramirez or Pedroia to be bench players but I am against thrusting them into starting roles before they are ready.)

This may look like I'm blaming Kevin Millar and I guess I am. He's a big mouth who is only hitting .250 with RISP (compared to Olerud's .429 and even Youkilis' .263 is better and that has come in spotty usage).

Millar's not the best option at first and every Red Sox fan knows it. Bellhorn is hurting the team with his bat and every Red Sox fan knows it. The Sox aren't putting their best line-up in the field. That's why they are in second place. That has to change.

Trade Millar, send a message, and put the best line-up out on the field. That's how you get out of second place.