“How Have Red Sox Fallen So Far, So Fast?”

—a Boston Globe piece by Christopher Gasper.

That is an excellent question, and one I hope we can ponder for many seasons to come.

That said, I do like how the Sox are willing to admit that this is not their year and make moves now—like trading Jon Lester—that they think will help them in 2015. That’s something the Yankees never do, apparently because ownership feels it has to compete every single year; as a result, they often trade away prospects for aging stars whom they hope have a few more good months left. (Hello, Alfonso Soriano.) Or they sign aging stars whom they hope have one season left—but often don’t—for two or three years. (Hello, Carlos Beltran.) It’s a frustrating process for a fan to watch—I’d rather see promising young talent on its way up than aging talent in decline….