After an eventful offseason that saw the Red Sox acquire All-Stars Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet -on top of the team’s upcoming minor league promotions headlined by the new big three Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Meyer- the team is in a great position to win the American League East and make a deep playoff run.
That being said, the roster has some weaker links on the mound and in the field who, if they don't improve, could hold the team back.
Liam Hendriks - Closer
Liam Hendriks used to be a premier closer, but this spring it seems like his days of dominance may be behind him. From 2019 to 2022, Hendriks averaged 28 saves per season and had a 2.23 ERA during those four seasons. So far this spring, Hendriks has appeared in five games for the Red Sox and has an ERA of 10.80 in five innings of work. This spring is the first time Hendriks has pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of the 2023 season.
With that in mind, I would give him some additional time to ramp up and get back into baseball shape. But with the Sox starting their season just ten days from now against the Texas Rangers, time is of the essence.
With other late-inning relievers on the roster (most notably offseason free agent signing Aroldis Chapman), Hendriks will have plenty of competition for the closer role. In an interview with Ian Browne from MLB.com, the 36-year-old spoke on the closer situation:
"I just want to be given an opportunity. If I win the job, I win the job. If I don’t win the job, I don’t win the job. It’s not going to change how I go about pitching. It’s not going to change my mentality towards anything. "Liam Hendriks
As of now, Liam Hendriks, who many had penciled in as the opening day closer, is my number-one weakest link on the Red Sox. That being said, I hope the veteran pitcher can regain his dominant form. If he can do so, he will quickly turn from the team’s weakest link to one of the best players on a team loaded with talent. It would go a long way toward helping the Red Sox make it to the playoffs, something that Sox fans haven’t seen since the 2021 season.