By Corey Sanderson | Observer Contributor
The Boston Red Sox emerged as the victors in the 2018 World Series.
Image from WikiMedia Inc.
After losing a heartbreaking 18 inning marathon on Friday, the Boston Red Sox outscored the Dodgers 14-7 in games 4 and 5 to clinch their 4th World Series title over the last 14 years, and their 9th title ever.
Due to the struggles of likely AL MVP Mookie Betts (.217) and JD Martinez (.277) Stats via Foxsports.com, the Red Sox needed the contributions of some unlikely heroes to take down a loaded Dodgers team.
Boston got just that from World Series MVP Steve Pearce. Pearce hit 3 home runs (1 in game 4, and 2 in game 5) and drove in 7 runs to help pace the Red Sox offense over the last two games of the series. His home run in the 8th inning off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in game 4 tied the ball game, and his 3 run double in his next at-bat helped put the game out of reach. His 1st of 2 home runs in game 5 put the Sox on top for good in the first inning and helped give starting pitcher David Price plenty of confidence to go out and dominate the most important start of his life.
Speaking of Price, his last 3 postseasons starts were a total 180 degree flip from his previous postseason outings. Before this year’s playoffs, Price was 0-8 as a starter (2-8 overall) with a 5.03 era. After Price went just 1 2/3 innings in a game 2 loss to the Yankees, he went on to win 3 of his next 4 postseasons starts (1 against Houston, 2 against Los Angeles). In those starts, Price allowed just 3 earned runs over 19 innings. Price has completely rewritten his postseason narrative thanks to his excellence over his last 3 starts.
When the dust settles, the Red Sox will have some big decisions to make this offseason regarding their future. The Red Sox have 7 impending free agents on their roster. Assuming the team lets Brandon Phillips walk, the Red Sox, who have baseball’s highest payroll, will have to decide which is more important: paying their young players or retaining valuable veterans.
Young stars like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts are still under team control for the foreseeable future, but due to their performance, both guys are due for pay raises. Betts earned $10.5 million this year. Considering he’s going to be named this year’s AL MVP, Betts is surely due for a long-term extension and a big pay raise sooner rather than later. Bogaerts earned $7.05 million in 2018. Bogaerts will likely go through salary arbitration like he did last year and should earn himself another increase in salary for 2019.
All star closer Craig Kimbrel highlights this year’s group of free agents. According to spotrac.com, Kimbrel is due for a pay raise of about $3 million next season ($13.05 million to $16.5 million).
Joe Kelly, who was a force in the playoffs for the Red Sox (.87 era in 8 Appearances) is also due to hit the free market. While his regular season numbers in 2018 weren’t great, he should still draw considerable attention on the market as a mid-tier relief option from a lot of teams. Retaining the hard throwing 30 year-old should be an easy decision for Boston, as he has been one of the most important pieces in their bullpen over the last two seasons.
While Pearce and Ian Kinsler seem like no-brainers due to their success this season, another intriguing name to look out for is Drew Pomeranz. Pomeranz missed a considerable amount of time this season due to a Biceps injury, and when he did take the mound for the Red Sox, he struggled mightily (2-6, 6.08 era). Pomeranz was an all-star in 2016 (then with San Diego) and was very impressive in 2017 with Boston (17-6, 3.32 era). His injury combined with his performance this year should scare most clubs away in free agency, which should then open the door for the Sox to offer Pomeranz a low risk- high reward type contract.
Red Sox fans should take the next few weeks to enjoy this year’s championship. But come late November, the hot stove will be heating up. With some big decisions to be made this winter regarding some important veterans and bullpen pieces, the Red Sox may be forced to part with some key cogs from this past year’s team.
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