2008 Woodie Awards
Taking a deeper look at what the Sox have to offer this season
William Galloway
Issue date: 3/1/05 Section: Sports
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Down in Ft. Myers, Florida, the Boston Red Sox are getting a new look. There are many new faces coming to Spring Training. Don't worry; they still have their "band of idiots," but they are just introducing the new players into their style. The Sox hope to maintain their success in 2005 as they made some key acquisitions to refurbish the clubhouse.
The comical Pedro Martinez and the playoff hero Derek Lowe have left the starting rotation for longer and higher paying contracts. Pedro traveled south to the New York Mets while Lowe headed west to Los Angeles to try and help the Dodgers make it back to the playoffs. Replacing these two stars are Matt Clement, Wade Miller, and the former Fenway hater David Wells.
Clement comes over from the Chicago Cubs after almost coming to Boston in the July deal that sent fan-favorite Nomar Garciaparra to Chicago. He signed a three-year deal with the Sox worth roughly $25 million. There has been much speculation about Clement because of his sub-par win/loss record in his past several seasons. The Red Sox feel that he had insufficient run support and with the Sox's battery powered line-up, there should be no question he will have a better year.
Miller was picked up swiftly and signed a one-year deal with Boston after his contract was non-tendered with the Houston Astros. He is coming off shoulder surgery from a torn rotator cuff he suffered early last season. When being interviewed on the "New England Sports Tonight" show, he commented on the suspicion that he will begin the season on the Disabled List and gave his own expectations on not rushing himself. He and Red Sox skipper Terry Francona have no plans of forcing Miller to hurry into the rotation, as there is still all of Spring Training to go through.
Wells is the oldest of the group at age 41. Many Sox fans and players know him from the years he spent with the "evil empire" as a Yankee. He signed a two-year deal and is making him the number two man behind ace Curt Schilling. Wells has had back problems in the past, but his arm still seems to be strong. He is excited to be on the other side of the best rivalry in sports.
The comical Pedro Martinez and the playoff hero Derek Lowe have left the starting rotation for longer and higher paying contracts. Pedro traveled south to the New York Mets while Lowe headed west to Los Angeles to try and help the Dodgers make it back to the playoffs. Replacing these two stars are Matt Clement, Wade Miller, and the former Fenway hater David Wells.
Clement comes over from the Chicago Cubs after almost coming to Boston in the July deal that sent fan-favorite Nomar Garciaparra to Chicago. He signed a three-year deal with the Sox worth roughly $25 million. There has been much speculation about Clement because of his sub-par win/loss record in his past several seasons. The Red Sox feel that he had insufficient run support and with the Sox's battery powered line-up, there should be no question he will have a better year.
Miller was picked up swiftly and signed a one-year deal with Boston after his contract was non-tendered with the Houston Astros. He is coming off shoulder surgery from a torn rotator cuff he suffered early last season. When being interviewed on the "New England Sports Tonight" show, he commented on the suspicion that he will begin the season on the Disabled List and gave his own expectations on not rushing himself. He and Red Sox skipper Terry Francona have no plans of forcing Miller to hurry into the rotation, as there is still all of Spring Training to go through.
Wells is the oldest of the group at age 41. Many Sox fans and players know him from the years he spent with the "evil empire" as a Yankee. He signed a two-year deal and is making him the number two man behind ace Curt Schilling. Wells has had back problems in the past, but his arm still seems to be strong. He is excited to be on the other side of the best rivalry in sports.