Ex-Red Sox Players Taking Their Teams to the ALCS

    One of the players the Red Sox chose to let go this offseason, Adrian Beltre, single-handedly carried the Texas Rangers to the ALCS yesterday by hitting three home runs.  Beltre, who was an All-Star with the Red Sox last year, hit .321 with 28 HR and 102 RBI.  He and Victor Martinez chose not to sign with the Red Sox and now both of their teams, barring a Yankees comeback, will be playing each other in the ALCS.  They both thought that they had a better chance to win a World Series with other teams besides the Red Sox.  It didn't help that Red Sox management wasn't willing to pay them either.  Beltre had this to say after yesterday's win,  "From my point of view, Texas gave me the best chance to put a ring on my finger," Beltre added, "and I am just two steps away from it.  Hopefully that happens."
    Theo Epstein and Red Sox management are to blame for not resigning either of these guys.  I can live with not resigning Beltre so that we could afford Adrian Gonzalez but what about Victor Martinez?  Our catchers have sucked all year long and Victor is a one of the few premier hitting catchers in the game.  Catchers are usually a liability in the batting lineup and hit near the bottom of the order.  Not Victor Martinez.  He bats fifth in the potent Tigers lineup and I would much rather have him in our lineup than Carl Crawford.  Crawford is younger and a different type of player, but it's tough to find a spot for him in our lineup.  We already have Jacoby Ellsbury, who is a similar player with way more power, and after the year he had in 2011, we are going to have to pay him a ton of money to stay here when his contract is up next year. 
    While Red Sox players are practicing their golf swings, Red Sox fans are watching their ex-players bring their teams towards a World Series.  It's tough to watch postseason baseball without the Red Sox, especially with the team they had this year.  However, as long as the Yankees don't win, it's a victory for all of Red Sox Nation.  Good luck Detroit and Texas, you're going to need it against the Phillies.