Frustration leading to Hope Part 1

As we all know baseball has come to an end for all but a select few teams.  This season has been a frustrating one for some cities and a revival for others.  My focus today will be on two teams in a similar situation but with very different expectations.  One has been in the dregs of the league for years while the other is the reigning champs.  Even with the rough stetch/es there is high optimism for the near future.

Boston as we know went from the bottom of the AL East to winning the World Series the following year.  Being from New England, I like many others expected them to compete for another title this year. Oh how wrong we were!  Not only did they not make the playoffs but finished near the bottom of the entire league.  The record wasn't bad enough.  Management conducted a fire sale disbanding much of the rotation and some position players.  It sounds like an awful situation with more to come.

There is much hope for these Sox starting as soon as next year.  All the struggles have caused people to overlook what is to come.  Six rookies started at least 60 games this year, not to mention the three rookies in the starting rotation.  These young kids were allowed to gain valuable experience and a few should have large roles in the coming seasons.  Think about it.  Mookie Betts (2b/of), Xander Bogaerts (ss), Christian Vazquez (c), Brock Holt (ss/3b/of), Joe Kelly (sp), Rubby de la Rosa (sp).  All six should have a big impact next season whether it be production based or as trade bait.  Add in the following top prospects who should be ready for Boston next season: Garin Ceccini (3b), Blake Swihart (c), and Henry Owens (sp).  A potential line up of Betts (rf) Holt (3b) Pedroia (2b) Ortiz (dh) Cespedes (lf) Napoli (1b) Castillo (cf) Bogaerts (ss) Vasquez (c).  Include some deep pockets to spend on pitching in the offseason and its easy to see why there's excitement and hope for next year.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2 where I finish my talk about the Red Sox.  I will then move on to the Cubs in a third installment.