Sox Rotation

Well, it sounds like Daisuke "Dice-K" Matsuzaka has not been so honest about how his 2009 season went. He had a groin injury, and he lied about it to the Sox. He hurt it before the 2009 season started, then took meds to help control the pain. Clearly he did not have a good season (W4-L6, 5.76 ERA, pitching under 60 innings!!).

If the relationship between DM and the front office/staff and his 'mates is patched and he's healthy, then he should be very helpful in the rotation. Adding Beckett, Lester, and Lackey in front of him; and possibly Buckholz in front of him to (5th if not). The rotation looks pretty strong.

Plus the Sox have Wakefield as a spot starter or a long-reliever, too. The Sox didn't throw money at Wakefield to have him on the 25 man roster just to coach, but at 43 (and coming off back surgery) the innings he gets will probably be much less than in previous years.

Granted you can never have too much pitching. Pitchers get hurt all the time, and having someone like Wake to plug any leaks is perfect. He is a knuckleballer, so the stress on him body/arm is less than most pitchers (hence his age). I am very excited about this season, and I know I am not the only one.

While the rotation is one of the Sox big off-season improvements, I don't think it their biggest. Check back for more Sox posts.