Truck Day Is Upon Us

It’s TRUC…oh who cares?

Sorry, I want to be excited but I can’t be.  With the potential/likely trade of Mookie Betts looming like Damocles’ sword it is difficult to really get excited here.  The truck leaves Monday at noon but, well hell it’s possible I’ll have to put up another post talking about the biggest trade the Sox have made in eight years and arguably longer than that Monday morning.

But for now, let’s try to be optimistic.  Whether or not Mookie is on the roster the Sox should project as a pretty good team in 2020.  Oh sure, having Mookie (and David Price) would probably make them project as the third best team in the AL but they are certainly in with Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Oakland and Cleveland as a team that can see itself in the playoffs.

The reality is that the Sox have plenty to watch and be excited about.  Eduardo Rodriguez is coming off a breakout season and whatever you think of Ben Cherington that deal is a serious feather in his cap.  Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and JD Martinez are genuine stars who are must see TV and while Andrew Benintendi is coming off a bit of a down year he still looks like a very good player.

On the mound beyond Rodriguez’ breakout a potential Cy Young candidate stands, quite tall, in the slender and dare I say lanky form of Chris Sale and electric armed (and oft-injured) Nathan Eovaldi.  The bullpen, an area of serious concern last year, looks like a potentially exciting one.  Matt Barnes’ stuff is great and I am optimistic of him rebounding and Darwinzon Hernandez has the potential to be a massive weapon wherever manager He-Who-Must-Be-Named uses him.

And while the Sox’ system has been much maligned (rightly so) Michael Chavis showed glimpses a year ago and Bobby Dalbec is a potential impact bat on the horizon.

Who the hell knows what we are in for?  With Betts this is a team that has a legit claim as a World Series contender.  Taking away Betts makes a playoff spot a bit more of a challenge and is a real cruncher emotionally.  I can’t imagine such a move not having a real ripple effect in the clubhouse.  But for now, let’s focus on the positives and I’ll post my rant after they get around to making their stupid ####### trade.

Hope springs eternal.