Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
The Boston Red Sox offense has been sluggish lately, as they've average 2.16 runs per game since the All Star break. Jason Bay has struggled for nearly two months, Kevin Youkilis is now hitting under .300, and JD Drew's average has sunk to .233. What they need is a shot in the arm. What they got yesterday is more like a pin prick than a full fledge shot.
The Red Sox picked up 1B Adam LaRoche from the Pittsburgh Pirates and OF/1B/DH/strikeout artist Chris Duncan from the St. Louis Cardinals. Realistically, the Sox didn't give up much for both players, except if you count nearly $13 million remaining on Julio Lugo's contract, but did they get enough to bolster the offense and take over the division lead? No! Adam LaRoche is a decent hitter, who has a history of great second halves. At this point in the season, LaRoche has still been struggling. He does offer decent depth at the corner infield position for the Sox if Lowell goes down for a period of time.
Now on to the acquisition of Chris Duncan. I do have to say the Red Sox are very lucky they got anything for Julio Lugo. If Duncan's head is on right, he can still hit home runs, but strikes out more than Adolpho Gonzalez at a Las Vegas Cat House. Duncan is 1 for his last 31 and has struck out 27% of the time in his career. Ouch!. What the Red Sox need is a more substantial bat to help stabilize this lineup. JD Drew is having another terrible season, Lowell has been hitting, but you never know how his hip will hold up, and When does David Ortiz fall back to earth and Jason Bay bust out of his funk?
Now on to the acquisition of Chris Duncan. I do have to say the Red Sox are very lucky they got anything for Julio Lugo. If Duncan's head is on right, he can still hit home runs, but strikes out more than Adolpho Gonzalez at a Las Vegas Cat House. Duncan is 1 for his last 31 and has struck out 27% of the time in his career. Ouch!. What the Red Sox need is a more substantial bat to help stabilize this lineup. JD Drew is having another terrible season, Lowell has been hitting, but you never know how his hip will hold up, and When does David Ortiz fall back to earth and Jason Bay bust out of his funk?
It now looks like the Sox will not trade prize prospect Clay Bucholz, but why not dangle him for Victor Martinez, or pick up another corner outfielder to take over at bats from JD Drew? The Red Sox are still a very good team, but the AL East is a three team race. In my opinion, they Sox are in the worst shape to take the division.
What do you think?
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