Red Sox Spring Training: Questions as Sox enter Fort Myers
By DJ Smith
With Truck Day just three short days away, Red Sox fans are beginning to look forward to another season of baseball at Fenway Park. Although the Patriots have dominated the headlines in New England for the past 5 months, its time to look to the Red Sox and see if they can rebound from their dismal 71-91 record.
The Red Sox have brought in a few big names to hopefully help them rebound but only time will tell if guys like Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez are able to improve a Red Sox team that finished in last place in the AL East in 2014. On the pitching side, the Red Sox are without their lefty ace Jon Lester who signed with the Chicago Cubs this past offseason, so now the Red Sox are looking at finding his replacement. With so many questions facing this Red Sox team it is tough to pick where they will finish at the end of the 2015 season. Let’s take a look at 3 of the biggest questions facing the Red Sox entering in to Spring Training.
1. Who is the #1 starter?
Sep 11, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest question coming into Spring Training is who is going to be the number one starter for the Red Sox, many were hoping at the beginning of the offseason that man would be Jon Lester but with him in Chicago the Red Sox had to look elsewhere. Right now it looks like Clay Buchholz job to lose, with the only real threat at overtaking him being Rick Porcello, who signed with the Red Sox back in December. Last year Buchholz struggled, going 8-11 with a 5.34 ERA, but one year earlier in 2013 he managed to go 12-1 and recorded a 1.74 ERA. Buchholz effectiveness in Spring Training will be something to keep an eye on early on and if he looks like he did back in 2013, the Red Sox rotation may actually be one of the better rotations in the American League.
2. The Outfield Puzzle
Jul 27, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (25), left fielder Jonny Gomes (5), and right fielder Shane Victorino (18) high five after they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Boston Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Currently the Red Sox have Shane Victorino, Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr, Daniel Nava, Allen Craig and Hanley Ramirez all slotted for the three outfield positions. Clearly they can not keep all of those players on the roster, so who stays and who goes? I’d say Victorino, Bradley Jr. and Craig all start in Pawtucket and let Castillo, Betts, Nava and Ramirez stay with Boston initially. However I wouldn’t be surprised if Betts or Castillo struggles that Ben Cherington swaps them out for a veteran like Victorino or Craig. Jackie Bradley Jr. is a mysterious case because as great as he is defensively, his bat hinders him and makes it hard for John Farrell to keep him in the everyday lineup. This is a huge Spring Training for Jackie Bradley Jr, if he is able to show he can hit Major League pitching, Farrell would have a some serious thinking to do.
3. Is Dustin Pedroia on the decline?
Sep 1, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) looks on from the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dustin Pedoria has struggled to stay healthy recently, battling a series of wrist and hand injuries some are wondering if the ‘Laser Show’ is on the decline. Staying healthy is one thing, but his declining numbers are alarming some Red Sox fans as well just take a look at this. In 135 games he played in 2014 he managed to bat .278 with 153 hits, 53 RBIs, 7 HRs, and 75 strikeouts. Back in 2007 (his rookie year) he played 139 games, he recorded his highest BA at .317, 165 hits, 50 RBIs, 8 HRs, and just 42 strikeouts.
So should Red Sox fans be worried that Pedroia has seemingly stalled in his career? No, but I would keep note and see how this season progresses, as we all know Pedroia will go through a wall to win so you can never count him out.
If you haven’t listened to the latest C&C Podcast, Matt and DJ are joined by Russell Baxter of Fansided.com and ProFootballGuru.com and we breakdown the Patriots Super Bowl 49 victory. All of that, plus we try to answer the question Who would you buy a drink for first? Dave Roberts or Malcolm Butler.