Time for Red Sox to send Carl Willis packing


Bill Foley (@Foles74)
Contributing Writer
In the waning moments of Sunday’s loss in Texas, NESN color man Jerry Remy said the Red Sox must do something to address their starting pitching.

The RemDog said they can’t afford to wait until the trade deadline to make that move.

Of course, that is obvious to every follower of the Boston nine. What is becoming more and more obvious is that the Red Sox might be better served to make a subtraction before they make an addition.


(AP photo by Elise Amendola)
It is becoming clear that pitching coach Carl Willis has to go.

Nearly every pitcher on the roster has taken a step backward this season. That includes David Price and Craig Kimbrel, the two huge offseason additions by Dave Dombrowski, Boston’s president of baseball operations.

Maybe that’s coincidence, or maybe it is just bad luck. But when the most notable positive adjustment made by a pitcher during the season was based on a suggestion by the second baseman and not the pitching coach, it’s hard not to blame the coach.

The most consistent pitcher on the staff is knuckleballer Steven Wright, and unless the coach’s last name is Niekro, Hough or Wakefield, the coach has nothing to do with that.

The 2016 Red Sox have a lot of the pieces needed to be a playoff team. Before injuries exposed their lack of a bench, the team looked primed to take control of the American League East.

That depth will get a boost with the upcoming return of Brock Holt, but the team could use some more help. Boston could use a bat in left field, another arm in the bullpen and at least another starting pitcher.

However, the biggest move might be firing Willis.

Uninspiring manager John Farrell, who is squatting in Torey Lovullo’s office, and former general manager Ben Cherington made Juan Nieves the fall guy by sending the pitching coach of the 2013 World Series champions packing last May.

It’s time to do the same with Willis, and soon.

Dustin Pedroia can handle the job until they find a replacement.