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Which New Red Sox Are You Most Excited To See Play?

The Red Sox have made a number of changes to their team this offseason, with the biggest move -- and most expensive -- being the signing of John Lackey. But, is he the new player you most want to see in action?

A quick and dirty poll is below, involving these new guys:

  • Marco Scutaro, ss - A name that might be long forgotten after recent Red Sox signing, Scutaro is a solid, all-around shortstop brought in to sure up the Sox's weakest spot on the team. His defense is above-average and he had a career year in 2009.
  • John Lackey, sp - The best free-agent starter on the market, Lackey brings the ace mentality to the middle of the Red Sox's rotation. Combined with Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield, he completes arguably the best pitching rotation in baseball.
  • Mike Cameron, cf - One of the best defensive center fielders in the game. Cameron is a tad older (37), but has an amazing first step and should sure up the center field spot, which was one of the weakest positions for the Red Sox in 2009.
  • Adrian Beltre, 3b - Beltre is considered one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball. He had a off-year with the bat in 2009, but should benefit from hitting in Fenway Park for 81 games. Besides, the Red Sox didn't sign him for his bat, they signed him for his glove.
Poll
Which new Red Sox starter are you most excited to see play?
Marco Scutaro
93 votes
John Lackey
393 votes
Mike Cameron
90 votes
Adrian Beltre
376 votes

952 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 42 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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I was torn

I’m very excited to see Adrian Beltre play (who I voted for), but I’m also extremely eager to see what Marco Scutaro brings to the table. I think Scutaro will be a very welcome addition to the team.

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by Randy Booth on Jan 13, 2010 11:48 AM EST reply actions  

Beltre, Beltre, Beltre

but he’s been one of my favorite players for a while now, so I was very excited for him. It’s impossible to not love his defense, and I think his offense at Fenway is going to be a massive improvement for him.

I’m really psyched to see all of them, I think they will all improve the team. Lackey, I think will probably not be worth the money he makes over the course of his contract, but I’m still excited to see him perform. Whatever other factors are in play with the future of the team, I really like the 2010 Red Sox as they are right now.

by wolf9309 on Jan 13, 2010 11:51 AM EST reply actions  

+1

It’s that video. It’s like porn – but without the boobs.

Rock me, sexy Jesus...

by nuthinboutnuthin on Jan 13, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions  

+1

The Arm.

That’s his new nickname. Because I said so.

by mmmmm on Jan 13, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions  

Rmmmm?

I got excited to “Get Brian Shouse gear at the Boston Red Sox shop >”, but the link took me to Tampa.

BLOGGY WANTS SHOUSE SWAG!

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

I have a five-tool player in my pants.

by Bloggy on Jan 13, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions  

Exactly, I had no clue at all that happened over a week ago

But, hey, whatever, another potential bullpen arm.

Since he’s a Non Roster Invitee, but was offered arb. by the Rays, do they still get a pick for him in the Supplemental round? Or is it only if he gets put on the team’s active roster?

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Jan 13, 2010 12:06 PM EST up reply actions  

What the hell?

Who’s runnin’ this joint around here anyhow?

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

I have a five-tool player in my pants.

by Bloggy on Jan 13, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions  

It's weird

even now, I can’t find any articles about it ANYWHERE- not on MLBTR, not any news sites. definitely odd.

by wolf9309 on Jan 13, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

I know, no mention of it anywhere

You would think SOMEONE would have mentioned it, even on the Rays side, because they get a pick out of it.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Jan 13, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

BRIAN SHOUSE!

his career numbers are in a little bit of a decline.

what do you think – roid baby?

by Mick Lowe on Jan 13, 2010 3:30 PM EST up reply actions  

his numbers have always just been erratic

hard to say in decline when they’ve just been all over the place. He’s never been good except when he’s only been used against lefties.

by wolf9309 on Jan 13, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions  

Great, now Theo is collecting ex-Brewers

If he makes the team, just remember to note whenever Francona leaves him in to face a righty. He shouldn’t do that. Ever.

by morineko on Jan 13, 2010 4:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Lackey

Having our rotation consist of Beckett Lester and Lackey at the top three is truly daunting. The pitching is built for the postseason and I think they can get there with this staff.

by Sexton on Jan 13, 2010 11:53 AM EST reply actions  

post season - shmost sheason

With a 5-man rotation like this? This team is built to win regular season games up the ying yang!

Division or bust, baby!!!!

by mmmmm on Jan 13, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Beltre.

Definitely.

I’m anxious about how I’ll react with Lackey on the mound.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

I have a five-tool player in my pants.

by Bloggy on Jan 13, 2010 11:54 AM EST reply actions  

Beltre

I’m pretty confident he’ll produce about as well as Lowell at bat, so his defense makes him the team’s biggest upgrade.

But Lackey is a close second if he can stay healthy.

by RSNexile on Jan 13, 2010 12:08 PM EST reply actions  

Cameron, no doubt

With Scutaro, we filled a hole. He’s not a game changer. He’ll provide a steady upgrade from last season. Just not exciting.

Beltre will be exciting to watch at the hot corner as well as him trying to prove himself at the plate. He was a close 2nd for me.

John Lackey is a luxury. We didn’t need him, but we are sure as hell much better with him in the rotation. To be honest, I’m more excited/intrigued on how Clay does this season. Emerging Talent + Trade Rumors + Time to prove himself > A proven veteran.

I want to see Mike Cameron. He was a plan-B to replace Jason Bay and once signed caused Ellsbury to shift to left field. With him and Els in the outfield, it’s going to be a highlight reel waiting to happen.

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Jan 13, 2010 12:23 PM EST reply actions  

shouldn't have to wait long.

Really, its not just those two in the OF. Ells – Cam – Drew across is one of the top 2 or 3 defensive outfields in the game.

Although now that I think about it – those guys in those positions (i.e. Ells in LF) should cover range so well that arguably they may not HAVE to make very many highlight reel catches.

Okay. It may be the most boring OF in baseball. Nothing will ever happen. Pitcher throws. Batter hits in air. Outfielder simply catches it. No drama. No dives. Just catches. :-D

Just kidding (sorta).

by mmmmm on Jan 13, 2010 3:55 PM EST up reply actions  

Drew just isn't as flashy, that's why he's not a part of the 2-headed highlight reel :)

But yes it could very be boring. Let’s hope Cam and Els learn to communicate well and early so they don’t end up diving into each other going for the same ball….

Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.

by mystman995 on Jan 13, 2010 6:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Mariners

Seattle probably has the best….with Gutierrez and Ichiro they could play a statue in LF and still be a decent OF

by BobZupcic on Jan 13, 2010 10:19 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah, I agree that Seattle prob is #1, but is close.

I would have to rate Gutierrez over Cameron. Cameron is one of the best, but Gutierrez is, imho, THE best defensive CF in the game and I don’t think its close.

I actually might give Drew the nod slightly over Ichiro. Ichiro is fast, but Drew reads the ball and plays RF more intelligently than any other right fielder i’ve seen since Dewey Evans. Both have great arms. Career wise, Ichiro has been better, but last year Drew was a stud in RF, posting a UZR150 of 15.7! Of course, Ichiro can also play CF pretty well. Okay, call it a toss.

I haven’t seen Bradley play that much. Like Ellsbury, he doesn’t have a lot of numbers in LF. My gut tells me that Ellsbury might end up having a better defensive year.

Adding in offense, I like the total value of our OF alot.

by mmmmm on Jan 14, 2010 1:08 AM EST up reply actions  

Beltre!

Who would be excited to see a journeyman backup shortstop suck up $6m for a .720 OPS?

Building Fenway from the ground up - Virtual Fenway

by Sean O on Jan 13, 2010 12:49 PM EST reply actions  

I would be.

If his name was Nick Green, and he doubled as the backup Closer!

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Jan 13, 2010 1:15 PM EST up reply actions  

I am very excited for that

because there will be way less errors then Lugo. I don’t care what his OPS is if he can play good defense I am all for it.

SS is not a position I am willing to give up defense for offense.

by drabidea on Jan 13, 2010 2:14 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah

as much as I value defense, I also like a balanced lineup with few automatic outs in it.

by mmmmm on Jan 13, 2010 6:29 PM EST up reply actions  

I agree on balance

I would rather have Scooter over Everett any day. However, I would rather have an Everett type player then a Tejada type player.

At the SS position I value a run saved defensively more then a run offensively.

This is why I am excited about Scooter, he brings atleast an average glove with the potential for above average offense.

by drabidea on Jan 13, 2010 6:49 PM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn't say Cameron is a tad older

I’d say 37 is bordering on the Methuselah of CFs, but somehow he can still move like… ahem to transfer a quote about Beltre “A CAT! A PUMA! A LEOPARD!” And shows no signs of slowing down. Maybe old but seems to be a kind of freak of nature.

by wolf9309 on Jan 13, 2010 3:25 PM EST reply actions  

i am excited

to see all of them play come on april !!

by RED SOX are #1 in my heart on Jan 13, 2010 5:22 PM EST reply actions  

The player who I expect the most out of is defnitely Lackey, bar none.

Who am I most excited to see, though? Well, Beltre’s a show in the field to begin with. Add in the possibility of what he can possibly do with the bat in Fenway, and…

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Jan 13, 2010 6:15 PM EST reply actions  

It's Beltre: No brainer for me but

I’d likr to see one of those.

"That was a lot of fun… You just keep pounding balls into the gap. The one thing you don’t want to do is hit a home run. That’s a rally-killer." Jeff Francoeur

by radiohix on Jan 13, 2010 6:48 PM EST reply actions  

I voted for Beltre

but I’m more interested to see how a few things are going to work this year:

1) Team chemistry. The Sox have always had a unique and fun approach to baseball and it’ll be interesting to see how the new guys fit in and influence their new team. Hopefully everything clicks and everyone is on the same page.

2) I’m wicked excited about the new defense as a whole. Theo certainly achieved his goal of shoring up the defense, and I think it’s going to make a huge impact on where this team can go. I say we improve on last year’s record by at least one game.

3) The offense hasn’t completely taken a dive, either. I just think the wealth is going to be spread around a bit. I don’t see Papi having another start like last year, either.

by BHeebs on Jan 13, 2010 9:26 PM EST reply actions  

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