In a radio interview with WEEI, Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington talked about the team’s plans for the upcoming trade deadline, as well as Boston’s struggles so far in 2014.
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So far this season, Boston has been dismal offensively, en route to a 43-52 record, which ranks dead last in the American League East. The team trails the division-leading Baltimore Orioles by 9 1/2 games at the mid-point of the season, and Cherington said the organization isn’t giving up.
"“We are gonna do whatever we feel gives the Red Sox the best chance to be as good as possible as quickly as possible. We are not conceding 2014 with that statement.”"
Boston’s offense – arguably its biggest weakness thus far as it seeks to defend its World Series title – has been disappointing, to say the least. The team ranks dead-last in the American League in terms of runs (367) – 25th in all of Major League Baseball, has a .246 team batting average, which comes in as the 22nd-best out of the 30 big league clubs.
The team lost offensive catalyst Jacoby Ellsbury to the New York Yankees during the offseason, and although the pitching staff has been solid, anchored by left-hander Jon Lester, with whom the team has failed to reach a contract extension, the team’s shortcoming at the dish have proved troublesome. That being said, Cherington said he’s confident in his team, but will look to make adjustments as the deadline nears.
"“We feel the team we have now is capable of being better than a lot of the teams ahead of us.”"