26 HRs for Wily Mo in ‘04

While everybody wants to focus on Wily Mo Pena’s propensity for strikeouts, keep one thought in mind. The last Red Sox player not named Ortiz or Ramirez to hit more than 25 home runs in a season was Trot Nixon three years ago.

It took Nixon 441 at bats to hit 28 home runs in 2003. Wily Mo hit 26 home runs in a mere 336 at-bats in 2004.

Sure, Wily Mo will strike out and make a few plays in the field that will end up in the highlight reels (for bloopers). But you can’t teach raw power or youth. Wily Mo Pena has both. And with a Nixon pull or tear but an at-bat away, you’ll be seeing a lot of Wily Mo this summer.

94 KOs for Mohr in ‘05

You might say Dustan Mohr, the guy who will share time with Trot Nixon in right field this season, has a tendency to strikeout. Exhibit A being 94 strikeouts in 263 at-bats in 2005.

What makes those numbers even more scary is that Mohr doesn’t walk all that much, an argument Mark Bellhorn defenders always used. Mohr walked only 23 times last year. Coupled with 57 hits and being hit by the pitcher twice and you’ve got an OBP that makes Bellhorn look like Wade Boggs.

So, why is this guy the favorite to be the Red Sox fourth outfielder? Good question. He has a reputation as a dirt dog. He does have some power (17 HRs for Colorado last year) and can play right field, a very important position at Fenway.

Still, with the spring Adam Stern has had for both Canada’s WBC team and the Red Sox, you’ve got to wonder who will remain standing come April.

Tavarez hit 15 in ‘02

New Red Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez was a bit of a “wild thing” in his days as a starter, hitting 15 batters for the Florida Marlins in 2002.

Since his move to the bullpen, he’s shown a surprising amount of control—at least on the field. While known for having a bit of temper, Tavarez has dramatically improved his walk-strikeout ratio. In fact, over the last two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, he’s averaged 19 BBs and 48 strikeouts per 75 innings.

Less than a strikeout per inning doesn’t exactly make Tavarez a candidate to replace Keith Foulke. The fact he doesn’t issue many walks certainly makes him an asset out of the pen.

Perhaps Tavarez’ most important role will be in the clubhouse. A former Cleveland farmhand, he started his minor league career with Manny Ramirez. With Manny’s former babysitter Kevin Millar in Baltimore, Tavarez could play a larger part in the team’s success than any of the new acquisitions.