3 Heads That Need to Roll After Red Sox Were Eliminated From Playoff Contention

The Boston Red Sox quest to repeat as world champs officially came to a close on Friday, as the club was eliminated from playoff contention, promptly putting an end to a middling campaign.

To say that Alex Cora's squad (mostly pitching) needs to be revamped would be putting it nicely, but on top of offseason additions, the organization also needs to cut ties with former stars who have turned into sheer burdens.

3. Dustin Pedroia

It was truly a blast while it lasted, but even the most biased of Boston buffs can admit that its time to move on from their former MVP and four-time All-Star. The 36-year-old stud has appeared in just NINE games over the last two seasons and he missed close to 50 contests in 2017. Second base is a gaping hole for the club. They need to fix it ASAP.

2. David Price

David Price appeared set to leave the Red Sox prior to the 2018 postseason, and then the left-hander emerged as an asbolute stalwart in the World Series. It was a surge that saw the club restore their faith in the vet and he did anything but reward it in 2019. As is always the case with Price, he's been injured far too much -- he hasn't pitched since Sept. 1 and has made only two starts since July 30. Even when the former Cy Young has taken to the mound, he's been dreadful, pitching to a 4.28 ERA in 22 starts (107.1 innings) in 2019.

1. Rick Porcello

Boston's offense doesn't need fixing, folks. You have to expect Chris Sale to bounce back in 2020, and Eduardo Rodriguez was certainly a lone bright spot this year, but Rick Porcello is not worth bringing back. Since 2017, the former Cy Young winner has recorded ERAs of 4.65, 4.28, and 5.56 in 2019. The magic from his 2016 campaign is LONG gone and the club needs to cut ties in an effort to completely rejuvenate their woeful pitching staff.