The 2007 World Series: A Look Back at the Outcome

The Red Sox were made a slightly better than 2-1 favorite by the bookmakers in Las Vegas to win the 2007 World Series. Those odds may have been the overlay of the year. Clearly the Red Sox owned a large talent advantage over their National league counterparts. Boston has a few decisions to make in the off-season and while they won't change the chemistry of the team all that much, the right moves can set this club up for a repeat trip to the Big Show again next year and for a few years to come.

Colorado on the other hand, was a team that wasn't expected to even make the playoffs. Their offense while inferior to the Red Sox, is more than just mediocre and their 1-6 hitters match up well with nearly any team's top 6 hitters. Versus teams like Boston it just wasn't enough. Colorado's defense is among the best in the game this past season and they play fundamentally sound baseball. Their pitching staff did not match up well against Boston and this is where the biggest mismatch occurred in the series.

The Rockies starters didn't embarrass themselves in the series, but they needed to have their absolute best stuff when they took the mound in this series and they didn't. They weren't bad, but they weren't good enough. Every time the Rockies were able to mount a comeback of sorts, the Rockies middle relievers and set-up men were not good enough to stop the Red Sox and just when it looked like the momentum was about to shift, Boston would quickly claim the momentum back by scorching the Rockies relief pitchers for a couple of insurance runs.

It's unfortunate that the Rockies are not in a bigger market or they may be able to upgrade their pitching enough to be competitive. Signing their younger players to long term contracts will be tough enough, much less finding the funds to add a young, quality starting pitcher and add to the depth of their bench. The Rockies have a nice blend of youth and veterans, budding superstars and solid position players, all of which know how to play the game correctly. They could be back again next year, but the path to the 2008 World Series looks to be a rocky, tho not impossible journey.

As I mentioned above, the Red Sox have some key decisions to make regarding their team for 2008. Coco Crisp looks to be relegated to 4th outfielder/defensive replacement as Boston will go with youth in centerfield. Budding star, Jacob Ellsbury will anchor Boston's outfield for many years to come. The biggest decision will be on what to do with 3rd baseman Mike Lowell. The veteran 3rd sacker steadied the infield defense, while leading the team in RBIs and was key player in the clubhouse. Manager Terry Francona was already lobbying for Lowell's return next year, but Lowell's contract is due to expire and Boston is famous for not signing an aging player to a long term contract. With converted shortstop, now 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez whoring himself out to the highest bidder, Boston and their deep pockets may be a perfect match. Decisions on aging hurlers Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield must be made and I expect one, if not both may have played their last game for the champs.

Boston looks to be stock-piled with talented youth, some that are ready to step in and play key roles as Boston prepares for another pennant run. Game 4 starter Jon Lester looks like the real deal and if healthy, he could easily fill the bill as a 3rd or 4th starter in this rotation. Jonathon Papelbon is one of the premier closers in baseball and Dustin Pedrioa is a future all-star at 2nd base.

The big question is, does Boston go after A-Rod? Initially, I thought the Red Sox would be the leader in the hunt for the future Hall of Famer. However, after last night's announcement by his ego-maniac agent, Scott Boras, I can't see how Boston would be serious in signing A-Rod. To steal the thunder of the Red Sox, while on the verge of winning another World Series, Boston must be more than a bit leery of the Boras-Arod team (really, who knows which one has the bigger ego) Boston fans already made A-Rod enemy #1 and anything less than stellar season will earn him nothing but jeers from the savvy Red Sox nation. Surely Boston and their fans must remember that they thought they had a deal signed, sealed and delivered with A-Rod before he changed his mind and went to NY. A-Rod is all about A-Rod and to pair him with fellow head-case Manny Ramirez is just asking for trouble, with a capital TROUBLE!

Boston would be smart to re-sign Lowell for another few seasons, buy another starting pitcher and clear off another spot on the mantle for next year's World Series trophy. Or they could fall into the Yankees trap and sign A-Rod, who along with Manny poisons the Boston clubhouse and let's the Yanks to sneak back into the playoffs. Boston didn't build this team based on stupid moves and they've probably learned what not to do with a dynasty club from watching the Yankees. They may toy with A-Rod, but they won't sign him... and they will defend their 2007 championship title with another trip to the World Series in 2008.