RED SOX: These guys are good (again)

No major flaws as Sox head into 2019 season.

There often comes a time where adults can take a lesson or two from kids.

They’re born without preconception and don’t know what it means to hate. They’re generally carefree and make their way through the world in a perpetual state of wonder, eager to discover everything that’s new around them. They ask so many questions because they’ve yet to unwisely convince themselves they have all the answers.

If you’re a kid and a sports fan growing up in New England, you generally don’t know the misery previously faced by your parents or, especially, your grandparents. You don’t have to imagine easily fielding the grounder that resulted in Bill Buckner’s error. You didn’t live through the Len Bias funeral. Sugar Bear Hamilton sounds more like a comic book character than the perpetrator of a phantom personal foul that left the Patriots waiting for future glory.

You’ve already seen the Red Sox capture four World Series championships if your 15th birthday happened to fall on Valentine’s Day. There’s no reason to expect an 86-year drought before witnessing the next one like what your ancestors endured. Boston’s ownership, field management and talented roster are all in fine working order as pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, Florida, ready to be put through their paces ahead of Opening Day in Seattle.

Does this group have some flaws? Of course. No organization is perfect, especially not when forced to rely on the sum of so many different parts. But didn’t we learn anything from last season?

Bullpen concerns, subpar production at catcher and second base, early offensive struggles from Jackie Bradley Jr., Chris Sale’s cranky throwing shoulder and a rookie manager in Alex Cora weren’t enough to prevent the Red Sox from steamrolling through the playoffs and celebrating the ninth title in team history at Dodger Stadium. Barring a couple major injuries to a starting pitcher and a lineup cornerstone, let’s say, this Boston team as currently constituted should still be pretty darn good. Competitive balance in baseball being what it is these days, the Red Sox are one of the haves willing to flex their considerable financial muscles to remain at or near the top of the sport.

The simple passage of time and typical host of changes found in a clubhouse won’t allow Cora to push all the same buttons, but who’s to say he won’t find some new ones? Utility infielders don’t survive as long as he did in the big leagues without a healthy dose of resourcefulness, a quality he displayed without fail in his 2018 debut on the Boston bench. The conviction with which Cora made decisions and the thorough nature in which he prepared both suggest he’s capable of more than short-term success.

Mookie Betts is the reigning American League Most Valuable Player and just entering the prime of his career at 26. Award winner or not, J.D. Martinez was arguably a better pure hitter than Betts last season and should be geared for another strong campaign. There isn’t a hole big enough in the regular starting nine that should send Boston’s hitters into any sort of crippling slump.

Sale recorded just 15 outs against Los Angeles in October, far below the total number most would have thought possible for Boston to prevail. David Price was indeed saving all of his postseason victories for his time with the Red Sox, wiping away years of frustration with a collection of brilliant outings against the Astros and Dodgers. Rick Porcello, Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez and others make up what should be a deep enough rotation to avoid an extended losing streak.

As for the bullpen, Craig Kimbrel remains in free agency limbo thanks to a stalled market and a collection of clubs looking to race toward the bottom instead of spending their way to the top. Let’s keep this simple and put business aside – Kimbrel allowed at least one earned run in five of his nine playoff appearances, looked mortal at times during the regular season and is now on the wrong side of 30. Boston could be wise not to commit multiple years and millions to a potentially depreciating asset, and the emergence of Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Travis Lakins and Durbin Feltman could shape the Red Sox relief corps for years to come.

Baseball hasn’t enjoyed a repeat champion since New York reeled off three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000. Boston’s goal will be to match the achievements of its most ancient rival, and it will take on the challenge with a confidence that belies the concern found in the DNA of its older fans. The latest victory parade through the city’s streets would be exactly what the kids have grown to expect.