Red Sox Beat Report
Justin Miller
Professor Rooke
27 February 2018
Red Sox Beat Report
The past couple weeks have definitely been interesting for the defending AL East champion Boston Red Sox. A few weeks ago they were just getting ready to start their spring training in Fort Myers, Florida. Now 2 weeks later the team is already 3-0 and there is lots to be excited about for the upcoming season. Looking back a few weeks it all started with the Red Sox re-signing utility infielder Eduardo Nunez to another 1-year contract with an option for a 2nd year. This is a very underrated signing because many may forget that Dustin Pedroia will be out to start the season and Nunez will start the season as the starting 2nd Baseman. Another story that people were talking about before spring training began was when Hanley Ramirez came out and said that he was using Tom Brady’s method to start the season and many were talking and saying how he needs to have a much better year this season. More homers would be huge if Hanley can get some of his power back. Dustin Pedroia was saying how we was feeling good but he is not putting a target date on his return. A storyline that many writers were talking about was if players like Pedro Martinez and Mike Lowell would help some of the younger players and pitchers at spring training. This was exactly the case as Pedro, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek among others have been spotted in Fort Myers over the last couple of weeks.
February 20th was probably the biggest day of the Red Sox offseason so far as reports surfaced in the morning that the Red Sox were probably going to sign prized free agent J.D. Martinez. It was confirmed a few hours later that Martinez would indeed be coming to Boston. This was obviously huge news as the Red Sox have been in need of a power bat like Martinez ever since David Ortiz retired. He will slide right into the 3 or 4 spot in the Red Sox lineup. J.D. is coming off a 45 home run season as well as batting 303 with 104 RBI’s. On the same day as the Martinez news, Boston traded outfielder Bryce Brentz to the Pirates. There was really no need for Brentz since the Red Sox would not really have any room to play him after the Martinez news. Things were getting a little weird during the week as the Red Sox were waiting very long to hear about the results of J.D. Martinez’s physical.
(Via Google.com)
Boston started spring training with 2 games against Boston College and Northeastern just like they have been doing every year. They beat Boston College 4 to 2 and they beat Northeastern 15 to 2. Alex Cora announced before the regular spring training games got started that catcher Blake Swihart was going to get many opportunities to start. It will be interesting to see if he can make the opening day roster. Boston started off with 2 games against the Twins and Rays. They actually won both games by the score of 4 to 3. Yesterday they handled the Orioles pretty easily as they won 7 to 1. Things could not be going any better for the Red Sox as expectations are very high heading into the season. Most expect Boston and New York to battle it out for the AL East title. One area I expect to see a lot of improvement on this season is figuring out the bullpen and who has what role. Last year was sort of a mess when figuring out who would pitch in the 7th and 8th innings. We know Boston has one of the best closers in the game in Craig Kimbrel but the rest is really up in the air. It will be an interesting season and here’s hoping not only the Red Sox win the AL East for a 3rd straight season but hopefully they can actually show us that they know how to win a playoff series. Goals are high in Boston and just like J.D. Martinez said at his press conference on Monday morning after he was officially announced, the ultimate goal is to bring another Championship back to Boston.
