The Red Sox Lack One Key Trait

The Celtics have been the news in this town for the last two weeks or so. Might I add, rightfully so. However, in a week when they get knocked out of the Eastern Conference Finals by the hands of the Cavs the Red Sox will be all we have left.

So what have we been watching? The answer is crap.

This Red Sox team was predicted as one of the top teams in the entire league and a favorite to run away with the A.L. East and potentially the entire American League. From the acquisition of Chris Sale, to the trade for Tyler Thornburg and more. This team was no questioning loading up to win now.

Fast forward to the first month and a half to the Red Sox season. David Price hasn’t thrown a pitch yet, Thornburg is on the 60-day DL, and this team is lacking any consistency from all three phases of the game (offense, pitching and bullpen staff). This team needs to wake up as they are about to come into the limelight here in Boston for a few months.

So, what does this team need? Two words. A LEADER!

It’s definitely not an understatement saying the Sox miss their old teammate David Ortiz. I will say upfront this isn’t an article about how we all miss Ortiz. SO GET OVER YOUSELF IF THAT’S WHY YOU’RE HERE!

They miss him off the field…for his leadership.

The Red Sox are no doubt talented on paper. However, they miss that guy to yell, inspire and simply lead by example when times get tough. There are options on this roster who could be a leader, but do they want to?

Dustin Pedroia has always been someone to just play hard and live in the leadership shadow of Ortiz and others from Sox past.

My vote…lead as a group.

There isn’t one person on this roster I trust to really take control. Some might think Betts or Bogaerts. Maybe Benintendi? Chris Sale the psychopath? Why not all of them?

The reason why Ortiz was such a great leader was because he had traits from all these players. Some nights you need different things and each player on the roster (okay not EVERY player) needs to find a way to lead when their time is called upon.

Yes, there is a place for Sale to go off….and I CANNOT WAIT to see it.

So, as the Celtics get pounded by Bron Bron and we shift gears to summer, just keep this in mind. The Red Sox can have all the talent in the world, but they need leaders to direct it to winning ways.

Written by: Jared Scali (@Jscalradio18)