Dear Mr. Cherington,
Now that the worst season of Red Sox baseball in my short lifetime is officially over, I feel a need to write you on behalf of Red Sox Nation. The contents of this message are my own personal hopes and opinions on how to approach this offseason.
First, in regards to management. If you have not already fired Bobby Valentine, please forward this letter as a means of termination. When you originally announced his hiring I was optimistically happy. A man who has had some success in his career and a personality I felt would fit in Boston, eventually caved like a three story house with no foundation. His 10 years out of Major League Baseball left him completely disconnected to today's ballplayer and further more the coaching staff. When you do hire your 2013 manager please look for someone who not only connects with this generation of big leaguers, but is also someone who understands the media and can interact with them in a way that benefits both parties. Someone who has been there before and the players respect, like John Farrell for example. One other thing, let him choose his coaching staff and don't force anyone down his throat as you did with the pitching coach this year.
Next, when it comes to free agency I hope you learned some valuable lessons from your predecessor. Just because a big name talent is available does not mean you need to spend an exorbitant amount of money to attain that talent. There are plenty of options out there that will benefit the club both on the field and financially. The trade to LA set up the system for future success. How far in the future will obviously depend on your scouts and I'll let them do their jobs. Therefore, here are a couple things I would like to see happen in free agency this winter:
1. Bring back David Ortiz and Cody Ross. The two have them have been pretty consistent this summer and who else can keep the clubhouse loose like Big Papi or play right field as well as Ross? I would hope for a two-year deal worth about $15-million max.
2. Get rid of Diasuke. I don't think I really need to explain this one.
3. The return of Jacoby Ellsbury is imperative. He has been one of those "homegrown" talents that strong franchises are built around and he is a fan favorite. While his contract may be a big one, his play will be worth it.
4. Other role players such as Mike Aviles, Aaron Cook, and Alfredo Aceves can be valuable and I would not mind seeing them back but I won't be upset to see them leave either.
5. If you do choose to go after a big name, please choose one of the following: Josh Hamilton or Kyle Lohse. Yes, I realize getting into a bidding war with Texas or whoever over Hamilton is exactly what Theo would do but could you imagine that swing in Fenway 81 times a year? Also, the starting rotation was ATROCIOUS this season. Lohse has been pretty standout for the Cardinals and I think St. Louis would be OK with letting him go. A rotation of Lester, Lackey, Buchholz, Lohse, & Dubront seems alright to me. Some good lefty relief pitching would be nice too.
Finally, can you please have a closed door meeting with Ortiz, Ellsbury, Jon Lester and Dustin Pedroia and explain to them what their roles on this team are? They are leaders and aside from Pedey's on-field effort, I've seen little of that. Ortiz is captain goofball that helps keep the clubhouse loose. Dustin is the team voice that speaks for all in the good and the bad (like he did with Tito last offseason). Lester and Ellsbury are the quiet assassins. They understand the media and how to succeed amongst the pressures of Boston. It is that quality that needs to be transposed to the rest of the clubhouse for 2013.
I hope that you sincerely take these requests to heart as you move into the "Hot Stove" season and if you have any questions please let me know. I love the Red Sox more than I've ever loved anything else in my life. I don't want them to win the World Series, or even compete every year. That makes them the Yankees. I just don't want to be embarrassed to be a member of Sox Nation. I wasn't in the late 1990's or 2003 or even the playoff collapse of 2009. But since September 1, 2011, I've actually kept quiet about my fanaticism with that club. Please don't let this continue.
Signed,
A Die Hard Member of Red Sox Nation.
