SouthernWorldwide.com – The Boston Red Sox are experiencing more than just a disappointing season; their prospects for the future also appear dim. The dismissal of manager Alex Cora did not ignite the desired turnaround by the front office, and the team has since faltered to a 15-17 record under interim manager Chad Tracy.
While Boston struggles, the American League East remains a closely contested division, with the Tampa Bay Rays (36-23) and New York Yankees (37-25) vying for the top spot. Alex Rodriguez, an analyst for FOX Sports, has observed the division and identified a more significant problem, unequivocally stating that the entire American League “stinks.”
During his appearance on FOX Sports’ “First Things First,” Rodriguez was candid with his co-hosts Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Kevin Wildes. While discussing the Red Sox, he voiced criticism regarding what he perceives as a substantial competitive disparity between the American League and the National League.
“I don’t think anybody’s out of it,” Rodriguez stated. “The American League stinks. They really do, actually. The National League is the opposite, right? If you look out West, I think if the playoffs started today, the Mariners (33-30) are in.”
In contrast, the NL West presents a starkly different scenario compared to the top-heavy AL East. Instead of a competition dominated by two teams, the NL West boasts three highly competitive clubs, with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres all performing well above the .500 mark.
Rodriguez has expressed a lack of confidence in the Red Sox since their decision to fire Cora and game-planning coach Jason Varitek in early April. He asserted that Cora was the premier manager in baseball and suggested that, deep down, the franchise understands that this is not their year.
“I would use a different measuring stick,” Rodriguez commented. “I think the minute you got rid of Alex Cora, the [Red Sox] manager, who I think is the best manager in the game and Jason Varitek, they decided that this is not going to be their year.”
For a team that appears to have already conceded defeat, Rodriguez believes the remainder of Boston’s season is merely a countdown to October.
