Thoughts while watching the game...

I don't get to watch nearly as many Red Sox games as I used to, and because the boys in green across town extended their season into June, I found myself way behind the eight ball once I started watching.

However, every time I do get the time to watch a game, I always think the same thing -- this is a team to be excited about. 

In the 5-plus years it's been since Henry, Lucchino, and Theo took the reins from John Harrington and Dan Duquette, they worked toward a goal to turn the franchise around by rebuilding the farm system, bringing in guys who bought into their system, and shedding bad contracts. 

Last Thursday, this regime took the final step to make the franchise fit the mold they had in mind when they came in. Gone are the days of the mercurial superstar in Boston. Gone are the days of special treatment, phantom injuries, and extended All-Star breaks. This team has no superstars, no controversial characters, no one who will stir things up. All we have here is a bunch of solid baseball players who go out every day and do what they get paid to do. A new chapter of Red Sox history is being written as we speak.

One with less controvery? Yes. But I think we can all learn to live with that.

On to my thoughts...A lot of people (including myself) were initially turned off by the trade that basically equated to Manny for Jason Bay. As the ever-observant KC fans reminded us tonight, Jason Bay is not Manny Ramirez. But he's a very good hitter and he plays the game the right way. Manny Ramirez is 36 and is on the downside of a Hall of Fame career. Unless he starts taking Barry Bonds Rejuvenation Cream (TM), he's not going to get any better than he is right now. While he's still a dangerous hitter, he's not worth the headache he's inevitably going to provide teams in the offseason. On the other hand, Bay is 29, making considerably less money, and in a talent-laden lineup, has his best years ahead of him. The Sox can sign him for reasonable money and he will continue to produce for several years. Consider me a Jason Bay fan.

This year, we're finally seeing the effects of a refreshed farm system. Jed Lowrie has come on strong, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis were All-Star starters, Jon Lester pitched a no-hitter and is second on the team in ERA, and Jacoby Ellsbury leads the American League in stolen bases. The Red Sox' stock rising depends on these guys, so it's nice to know that we're going to be in good hands for the forseeable future.

Josh Beckett is much better than he's shown this year. He's been maddeningly inconsistent, but all indications point to the fact that this is a fluke. His K/9 remains high, and his WHIP is low. Look for him to turn it around down the stretch.

You'd think the bullpen should be better than it has been, but getting to Papelbon has been an adventure thus far. Lopez and Okajima have been (mostly) solid, but Timlin, Delcarmen, and current Pittsburgh Pirate Craig Hansen couldn't hold a lead in a suitcase. Look for the Red Sox to address this in the month of August - if they don't, they're going to be in trouble.

In recent years this Red Sox team would have easily won the American League East. We're always going to fear the Yankees, no matter how beaten up they are (and with Joba Chamberlain's most recent injury, they look to be in even rougher shape). However, it's no longer a given that the 19 games the Sox play with the Rays will be mostly won by our boys. It's been a long time since the Sox had more than one contendor within their own division, and it's easy to see that they're feeling the effects. Add in a very competetive AL Central and a formidable foe in the LA Angels, and you have a playoff race guaranteed to go down to the wire.

Despite all the good things that have happened in recent months, it's very possible that the Red Sox will not make the playoffs this year. However, to borrow an old colloquialism, to move forward, you sometimes have to take a couple of steps back. The Red Sox have done well to set themselves up for long term success, and we should all keep that in mind as we strap in for a competetive pennant race that may not sway in our favor.

Whatever happens, happens. But rest assured, the Sox are going to be in the thick of things for a long, long time. For now? Sit back and enjoy the ride.