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| (Photo Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America) |
John Farrell has made several questionable decisions in his time as Red Sox' manager (from starting an injured Shane Victorino over Rusney Castillo last season to bringing Franklin Morales and his 27.00 postseason ERA into a crucial spot in the sixth game of the 2013 ALCS) but few have been more puzzling than today's.
Many Sox fans were confused to see Chris Young's name in the lineup today against the right handed Marco Estrada (Young hit .182 against righties last year and only .224 for his career) while the hot-hitting Brock Holt and $11 million man Rusney Castillo were left on the bench.
It has been rumored that Holt was given the day off to recover from a foul ball he hit off his ankle in a previous game, but that doesn't explain why Castillo, who had two hits including a double in his season debut, was left on the bench.
It was announced earlier in the year that Young would get the majority of his cuts against left handed pitching, which considering his career average against lefties is 40 points higher then righties (still not that impressive at .264) seemed to make sense.
Yet here we are in the fifth game of the season and Young is out there looking foolish against Estrada while Castillo can't seem to catch a break with the Sox no matter how well he plays. Without any playing time, let alone consistent playing time, how can anyone expect Castillo to become a dependable Major League player?
Some have reasoned that because the Red Sox have faced a slug of right handed pitching that Farrell needed to get Young some game action. Is getting the fourth outfielder some game action really worth putting out a sub-par lineup against a division rival and the team most people think will win the American League East? I hardly think so.
It may be early in the season, but it is time to take a long hard look at Farrell and his future with the organization before we become mired in third straight last place season. Outside of 2013 (and let's be honest, anyone could have managed that team to a World Series championship) Farrell has done little to impress anyone during his time as Boston's manager.
It's not like he accomplished much in Toronto, either, posting a 154-170 record (.475 winning percentage) in his time there and missed the playoffs both seasons.
After it was announced last season that Farrell would be taking a leave of absence due to a cancer diagnosis, bench coach Torey Lovullo stepped up in an interim basis and led the team to a 28-21 record over their final 49 games. Lovullo's impressive performance earned him numerous offers to leave Boston over the offseason, but he remained loyal to the team and returned as the bench coach for this season.
I do respect Farrell, what he accomplished in 2013 and what he has done to return from cancer - but it is time to start holding him accountable for his poor decision making on the field. One more questionable decision like today's and the Sox really ought to consider promoting Lovullo back to the managerial position before it's too late.
It has been rumored that Holt was given the day off to recover from a foul ball he hit off his ankle in a previous game, but that doesn't explain why Castillo, who had two hits including a double in his season debut, was left on the bench.
It was announced earlier in the year that Young would get the majority of his cuts against left handed pitching, which considering his career average against lefties is 40 points higher then righties (still not that impressive at .264) seemed to make sense.
Yet here we are in the fifth game of the season and Young is out there looking foolish against Estrada while Castillo can't seem to catch a break with the Sox no matter how well he plays. Without any playing time, let alone consistent playing time, how can anyone expect Castillo to become a dependable Major League player?
Some have reasoned that because the Red Sox have faced a slug of right handed pitching that Farrell needed to get Young some game action. Is getting the fourth outfielder some game action really worth putting out a sub-par lineup against a division rival and the team most people think will win the American League East? I hardly think so.
It may be early in the season, but it is time to take a long hard look at Farrell and his future with the organization before we become mired in third straight last place season. Outside of 2013 (and let's be honest, anyone could have managed that team to a World Series championship) Farrell has done little to impress anyone during his time as Boston's manager.
It's not like he accomplished much in Toronto, either, posting a 154-170 record (.475 winning percentage) in his time there and missed the playoffs both seasons.
After it was announced last season that Farrell would be taking a leave of absence due to a cancer diagnosis, bench coach Torey Lovullo stepped up in an interim basis and led the team to a 28-21 record over their final 49 games. Lovullo's impressive performance earned him numerous offers to leave Boston over the offseason, but he remained loyal to the team and returned as the bench coach for this season.
I do respect Farrell, what he accomplished in 2013 and what he has done to return from cancer - but it is time to start holding him accountable for his poor decision making on the field. One more questionable decision like today's and the Sox really ought to consider promoting Lovullo back to the managerial position before it's too late.
Don't forget when he pinch hit for Shaw but later in the same inning he let Hannigan hit with the bases loaded.
ReplyDeletesow didn't score, is that carrell's fault too?
ReplyDeletethat would be sox
ReplyDelete