The Boston Red Sox head to Fort Myers for Spring Training, looking to put last year’s underachieving 78-84 season behind them. The bulk of the roster looks set, but there is still room for someone to force themselves into Opening Day consideration by impressing manager John Farrell, or for GM Dave Dombrowski to make more moves.
Boston Red Sox Spring Training Preview
First base – How Hanley Ramirez handles his latest positional switch is really anyone’s guess; last year’s move to left field devolved into an unmitigated disaster that went a long way towards outfield coach Arnie Beyeler being fired. Infield coach Brian Butterfield is tasked with turning Ramirez into at least a serviceable first baseman; even if that works, the team has to hope that his bat reawakens after posting a .717 OPS despite nineteen home runs. If he struggles with this latest transition – and the team is unable to move him to DH for this season with that spot occupied by David Ortiz – that may force the club to carry a defensive caddy for him, potentially altering the roster balance.
Panda – the Sox’s other 2014/15 free agent signing, Pablo Sandoval, also struggled in 2015. There will be the usual annual interest the physical shape he turns up in, but this year that will be accompanied by speculation as to how he will handle last year’s poor returns and if he will continue to switch-hit given his difficulties against southpaws.
Outfield – Mookie Betts and free-agent signing Chris Young are certainties. Rusney Castillo and Jackie Bradley Jr aren’t, though Castillo’s developmental status should see him stick around, unless he has a terrible spring. As for Bradley, despite his undoubted defensive prowess, he has to prove that he can sustain the improvement with the bat (.891 OPS) he showed after being recalled following the All Star break. If either falters, that could open the door for non-roster invitees (NRIs) Brennan Boesch and Ryan LaMarre to make the club.
Catcher – After last year’s injuries at the position, having six catchers in camp makes sound sense. Veteran Ryan Hanigan and youngster Blake Swihart will go in as the incumbents; Swihart found his groove relatively quickly after being thrust into the majors earlier than planned. Sandy Leon has been brought back on a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation, while Christian Vazquez will probably end up at Triple-A after missing all of 2015 following Tommy John surgery. NRIs Dan Butler and Ali Solis would need outstanding springs to force their way onto the roster, and are more pieces to provide depth.
Bench – Brock Holt’s remarkable versatility is a terrific asset to the club and allows them to routinely carry on extra pitcher when they otherwise would be unable to. Assuming a four-man bench, he’ll be a regular alongside whoever isn’t catching and starting in the outfield that day. That leaves one spot, with Travis Shaw, who can cover first and third, the frontrunner after smacking thirteen homers in 226 at-bats last season. Deven Marrero and Josh Rutledge provide middle infield options, while former NL All Star Allen Craig has a NRI and looks to revive his career.
Rotation – $217 million man David Price assumes the mantle of staff ace, with Boston expecting considerable returns on their investment. Clay Buchholz should be the #2, but injuries are always a concern. Rick Porcello should also line up in the rotation despite an occasionally rocky first year. The back end should be filled out by some combination of young lefties Eduardo Rodriguez – impressive in his rookie season – and Henry Owens, righty Joe Kelly, and knuckleballer Steven Wright. Roenis Elias, acquired in the Wade Miley trade, is another possibility.
Bullpen – Sifting through relief options is a task for any big-league manager, and the bullpen is arguably the place anyone can make a club with a big spring. Newly-acquired Craig Kimbrel will be the closer, with Koji Uehara now placed in the set-up role. Carson Smith, another piece of the Miley trade, will also compete for the high leverage spots. Veterans Junichi Tazawa, Matt Barnes, and Heath Hembree, and 2012 first-rounder Pat Light are among the right-handed contenders, with Robbie Ross, Tommy Layne, and Edwin Escobar rounding out the lefties. Its also possible that one of the starting candidates may find themselves in the ‘pen as well, especially with the early-season off days.
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