Boston Red Sox Preview
With the second team in the ultra-competitive AL East, I will be previewing the Boston Red Sox, last year's winner of the division. Despite winning the division last season, many believed there were a lot of holes to fix on the team this upcoming season, and they might be right. However, acquisitions of setup man Tyler Thornburg and all-world starter Chris Sale, the Red Sox look to be the main challenger for a World Series run outside of Northeast Ohio. Despite losing longtime slugger David Ortiz, the Red Sox lineup is dangerous and the pitching is better than last year.
PROJECTED ROTATION: Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Steven Wright, Drew Pomeranz
This rotation is going to be pretty good this season, with a much better performance expected from David Price and the addition of one of the best pitchers in baseball, Chris Sale. On top of that, Rick Porcello was a fringe Cy Young contender, and Steven Wright had a breakout season as well. Drew Pomeranz gets the fifth spot in the rotation, based off of his experience and how he performed in San Diego prior to his trade to Boston. Keep an eye out for Eduardo Rodriguez as well, but he is more potential at the moment along with newcomer Roenis Elias and Joe Kelly.
BULLPEN: Craig Kimbrel (CL), Tyler Thornburg, Matt Barnes, Fernando Abad, Robbie Ross, Carson Smith, Eduardo Rodriguez
Like I said earlier, Rodriguez, is more about potential at the moment, so he will either end up the long reliever or get the fifth rotation spot. I penciled him in the bullpen, but there is a lot of competition there. Craig Kimbrel is a great closer and Tyler Thornburg was a breakout relief pitcher, and they will handle the end of games. Carson Smith was once a setup man for Seattle, but injuries hurt his campaign last season and will bounce back this year. Barnes, Abad, and Ross are all coming off of solid years themselves, and they are the most likely candidates to round out the middle of the bullpen. There are numerous other contenders as well, led by Heath Hembree, Brandon Workman, Robby Scott and Henry Owens.
CATCHERS: Sandy Leon, Blake Swihart
Sandy Leon broke out last year, and despite having the least amount of potential among the team's top three catchers, I have him penciled in as the starter. Blake Swihart and Christian Vazquez, who were prospects not long ago, have more potential but neither have shown up yet. Assuming Leon wins the starting job, I chose Swihart over Vazquez due to Swihart's flexibility and his ability to hit. I think Leon will eventually get flushed out and make way for both of the latter catchers to be on the roster, but for now Swihart will get the first look.
INFIELDERS: Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Mitch Moreland, Deven Marrero
There's an empty hole in this infield, and it's a pretty big one. Longtime power hitter David Ortiz retired forcing the team to move Hanley Ramirez to DH and to sign a much lesser hitter in Mitch Moreland to replace him. After trading Travis Shaw for Thornburg, the Red Sox really hope struggling and injured Pablo Sandoval can make a huge comeback this season. The "Panda" was dynamic with the San Francisco Giants and helped them win three World Series titles, but since leaving hasn't seemed to find his way in Boston. If not, top prospect and third baseman Rafael Devers is not too far away from making the big leagues. At least the middle of the infield is set with All-Stars Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts. As far as the backup infielder, I'm going with the younger, more talented prospect in Marrero since the Red Sox can afford it. Also keep an eye on Josh Rutledge, Marco Hernandez and former St. Louis Cardinal's star Allen Craig (who has literally fallen off of the face of the Earth).
OUTFIELDERS: Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, Andrew Benintendi, Brock Holt, Chris Young
This group is set, with the other top prospect Andrew Benintendi fortifying left field, and star outfielders Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley in right and center. Utility man Brock Holt is listed as an outfielder but can also play the infield as well, and Chris Young has pop in has bat along with the ability to play all three positions as well. Catcher Blake Swihart could also get some time as well. As far as competition goes, Bryce Brentz and last year's starter (and now non-roster invitee) Rusney Castillo will be competing for outfield time.
LINEUP: Pedroia (2B), Bogaerts (SS), Betts (RF), Ramirez (1B), Bradley (CF), Benintendi (LF), Sandoval (3B), Moreland (1B), Leon (C)
As far as positions are concerned, it may seem a bit unconventional to the common fan to put Sandoval and Moreland at spots seven and eight, but with Sandoval's struggles and Moreland being more of a defensive first baseman, I figured this order would make more sense at least for the time being. Mookie Betts should help to phase out the memories of Big Papi, and Hanley Ramirez had one of his better years last year as well.
PREDICTION: For those of you who think the Blue Jays are done just because they lost Edwin Encarnacion, don't entirely believe that they are dead in the water. That said, Boston has the overall better roster, and with the additions of Sale and Thornburg along with full years of Benintendi, Sandoval and Pomeranz, the Red Sox could be even better this year. This is a really tough division to win year in and year out, but Boston looks like the favorite at this point, and still has a very good farm system despite all the trades. I'm going with about 93 wins this season and winning the AL East.
