Boston Changes the Game Plan

Boston, MA - The Boston Colonials have what could be considered a successful history; the team has made the playoffs five times in seven seasons, won 100+ games twice and 90 or more 5 times, and has made the DCS in 3 of the last 4 seasons. They have never advanced to the ALCS, however, and obviously have never made a World Series appearance.

To Boston GM Rick Randall, this run equates to failure.

"The fans in Boston don't want to hear about division championships or 90-win seasons," he said, "they want to hear about - and celebrate - World Series Championships."

Without exception, pitching has always been what has cost Boston it's chance in the playoffs. Since that is the case, it seems reasonable that pitching has been the primary off season focus the past 4 seasons. And it would also seem reasonable that Boston would be looking to shore up the pitching this season.....but that isn't the way this off season is going.

The Colonials did recently add right handed reliever Lee Bolick to the mix and also made a spot on the staff for Bo Goldstein, but most of this off season has been spent working on beefing up the AL's top offense.

Boston traded away brittle starting catcher Louis Romero and acquired 28-year old former All-Star 1B/DH Chad Broadhurst. This move got another big bat in the everyday lineup, but it also forces Boston to move season 7 team MVP Johnny Fischer - who has caught only 14 innings in the last 3 seasons - back behind the plate. Fischer turned 33 this past Winter and has only thrown out 24% of would be basestealers in his career, but Boston management is convinced that he can do the job 130 days out of the year behind the plate.

There is also word that Boston is making a run for another right handed power hitting former All-Star to be a key bench contributor. As it stands now, the Boston lineup will feature 7 players who hit 20+ HR and 6 who topped 97 RBI last season.

The hitter-friendly home field and a lineup stacked with right handed pop should be interesting...but can Boston advance without a top pitching staff? Boston management and fans are hoping so.

Or else this upcoming season will add to the history of failure.