Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Red Sox

Lightning doesn't strike twice.

I'm not saying that the chance of the Red Sox winning a World Series this decade is similar to lightning striking. I'm saying that if the Sox really wanted another consecutive World Series ring, they wouldn't have kept their WS-winning team EXACTLY THE SAME. They didn't really add anyone going into 2019, but they lost Craig Kimbrel, Ian Kinsler and Joe Kelly.

So it shouldn't be too shocking that they couldn't replicate their 2018 success with...a bunch of reruns, really.

Christian Vazquez had his best season to date, though, with a 2.2 WAR, his highest-ever. Granted, he had a 0 figure in the batting column, but he still bat .276 with 72 RBIs and 23 homers, which isn't bad at all.
Why Him in 2019?: His status as the starting catcher made it easy for the Sox to cut ties with Sandy Leon, and trust Vazquez for the future.
2020 Prediction: Won't be as good as in 2019, but will still start the whole season.

 After an impressive 2 years in Boston, Mitch Moreland's third year of his contract was a disappointment, marred by injury. When he was healthy, he bat .252 with 58 RBIs and 74 strikeouts. It just looks like they signed him for juuuust the right amount of time.
Why Him in 2019?: Gave Michael Chavis another infield option
2020 Prediction: Will sign as a backup/DH somewhere.

 In the absence of Chavis, and Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt became the everyday 2nd baseman, which was not a problem at all, as Boston loves Brock Holt, and Holt seems to love Boston too. Holt hit .297 in 87 games, with 77 hits. Lots of sevens. Consistency.
Why Him in 2019?: Saved the Sox from falling apart after Chavis' injury
2020 Prediction: Will sign somewhere as a swing infielder and will likely get a TON of starting time.

 After a strong start in Baltimore, Andrew Cashner was traded to Boston to aid the starting rotation. Which, after some disastrous starts in August, he was unable to do. So the Sox moved him to the bullpen, his ERA ballooned to 6.20, and that was that.
Why Him in 2019?: Proved the O's got rid of him at the exact right time.
2020 Prediction: Whoever signs him will try to use him out of the bullpen

After the Barnes/Brasier combo proved ineffective, the Sox turned to Brandon Workman in the ninth. This went well, as Workman notched 16 saves in 22 opportunities, with a 1.88 ERA, 104 strikeouts and 10 wins to boot.
Why Him in 2019?: Proved the Sox weren't completely hopeless in the ninth after losing Kimbrel
2020 Prediction: A strong, 40-save season.

Coming Tomorrow- I have so many Cincinnati Reds that I need 2 posts. This is how good they were, at least to me, in 2019.