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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jan 10, 2023 14:34:24 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h New from the Red Sox:
Truck Day: Feb. 3 Pitchers and Catchers: Feb. 15. First Full Squad: Feb. 20
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jan 26, 2023 4:18:21 GMT -5
Spring training dates
Friday, Feb. 3 – Truck Day. Wednesday, Feb. 15 – Pitchers and catchers report. Monday, Feb. 20 – Full squad. Friday, Feb. 24 – First spring training game vs. Northeastern University.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 1, 2023 14:30:24 GMT -5
Boston’s prospect to watch this spring is … 1:35 PM AST Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
One of the key players to watch for the Red Sox this Spring Training is a guy who isn’t likely to make the team, but who could be a factor at some point in 2023 -- and seems poised to make an impact for years beyond that.
That would be the dynamic Ceddanne Rafaela, who plays jaw-dropping defense in center field and can also handle shortstop.
Now that he is on the 40-man roster, Rafaela will be in big league camp for the first time. The Curaçao native will also play for Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.
It is enough to remind you of the track Xander Bogaerts had to the Majors in 2013. That was the year Bogaerts came to Spring Training for the first time, represented the Netherlands in the Classic and was with the Red Sox by August -- just in time to contribute to a World Series-winning team.
Though the Red Sox will never give a timetable on when they expect a player to make the Majors, there are hints that Rafaela could be reasonably close.
The first is that he was in Boston for the team’s annual Rookie Development Program last week. The Red Sox typically only invite players they believe have a chance at making their debut during that season. Also, when MLB Pipeline released its Top 100 Prospects list last week, Rafaela slotted in at No. 86. Next to the ranking was (ETA: 2023), referring to the projection of what year Rafaela will put on that Boston uniform for the first time.
Given his status as the upper-level prospect to watch for the Red Sox this season, the club is monitoring his development closely, while making sure he takes all the steps needed to succeed at the highest level.
While defense seems to come so naturally to Rafaela, he has worked hard to become a dangerous threat at the plate, albeit a threat who needs to improve his approach.
“He got a chance to play winter ball down in Puerto Rico, working on his approach,” said Red Sox director of player development Brian Abraham. “His ability to swing consistently at pitches in the strike zone is something that is a big focus of his. He has power. He drives the ball to all fields, despite the size, but being able to do that consistently with balls in the strike zone, it seems to be repetitive at times with a lot of our younger players. But that is really a huge difference maker for what makes big leaguers big leaguers.”
Rafaela, whose wiry 5-foot-8 frame and spectacular defense are enough to remind you of a young Mookie Betts, attacked the offseason with a narrow focus to improve his pitch recognition.
“Yes, of course, that was my main focus,” said Rafaela. “This offseason, it was really about controlling the zone to be ready. Every flip, every BP session I took, I tried to control the zone.”
The 22-year-old was also conscious of molding his body to withstand the rigors of a long baseball season.
“I've been really working on [the] physical side to get stronger so I can get through the season strong and finish strong,” Rafaela said.
The 2022 season was one to remember for Rafaela, who wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a Top 100 prospect at this time last year. In fact, he barely cracked Boston’s Top 30 list but finished the season at No. 3.
In 116 games -- 45 for High-A Greenville and 71 for Double-A Portland -- the right-handed hitter had a line of .299/.342/.538 with 32 doubles, 10 triples, 21 homers and 28 stolen bases.
While Triple-A Worcester seems to be the most likely starting spot for Rafaela in 2023, he knows there is no use in lowering his sights.
“As a player, everyone wants to start in the big leagues, but it's not up to me. I’ll just work hard to earn the chance to start here [in Boston],” Rafaela said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 1, 2023 14:32:41 GMT -5
Spring Training Truck Day presented by JetBlue scheduled for Friday, February 3 2:09 PM AST
BOSTON, MA – The departure of the Red Sox equipment truck for the club’s Spring Training home at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida, is scheduled for Friday, February 3. The truck will be loaded starting at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to leave Fenway Park for the 1,480-mile trip around noon.
The equipment truck will be loaded on Jersey Street and depart from Fenway Park led by a flat-bed truck carrying Wally the Green Monster, his sister Tessie, and Fenway Ambassadors who will be tossing soft Red Sox baseballs to fans.
The 53-foot truck will carry an assortment of baseball equipment and supplies, including:
20,400 baseballs 1,100 bats 200 batting gloves 200 batting helmets 320 Batting Practice tops 160 white game jerseys 300 pairs of pants 400 t-shirts 400 pairs of socks 20 cases of bubble gum 60 cases of sunflower seeds
The celebration of Truck Day has been a Red Sox tradition since 2003 signaling the unofficial start of Spring Training. JetBlue, the official airline of the Red Sox, has been the presenting sponsor of the annual event since 2010. Moving services are provided by New England Household Moving & Storage.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 1, 2023 17:52:39 GMT -5
Red Sox prospect Matthew Lugo (54 extra-base hits) among latest spring non-roster invitees
Updated: Feb. 01, 2023, 3:33 p.m.|Published: Feb. 01, 2023, 3:31 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
The Red Sox have extended spring training non-roster invitations to 10 more players, including 2019 second-round pick Matthew Lugo.
Lugo, who is Carlos Beltran’s nephew, had a strong 2022 season. He stroked 54 extra-base hits (18 homers, 26 doubles, 10 triples) in 114 games with High-A Greenville and three games with Double-A Portland. He batted .288 with a .344 on-base percentage, .500 slugging percentage and .844 OPS for Greenville.
Pitchers Dan Altavilla, Taylor Broadway, Durbin Feltman, Victor Santos, and Chase Shugart as well as shortstop Christian Koss, infielder/outfielder Ryan Fitzgerald, infielder/outfielder Nick Sogard and catcher Stephen Scott also received non-roster invites.
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Broadway is the right-handed relief pitcher who the Red Sox acquired as the player to be named later from the White Sox for Jake Diekman.
Broadway made six relief appearances for Portland after the Red Sox acquired him. He has allowed just one run and four hits in 7 innings (1.29 ERA). He had 11 strikeouts and no walks. Opponents are 4-for-23 (.174 batting average) against him.
The Red Sox now have invited 21 minor leaguers as non-roster invitees.
@jcmccaffrey Red Sox announce 10 non-roster invitees to big league camp:
RHPs Dan Altavilla, Taylor Broadway, Durbin Feltman, Victor Santos and Chase Shugart INFs Christian Koss and Matthew Lugo INF/OFs Ryan Fitzgerald and Nick Sogard C Stephen Scott
@billkoch25 Red Sox had previously announced 11 other non-roster invitees to spring training: - Ps Matt Dermody, Norwith Gudino, Oddanier Mosqueda, Ryan Sherriff - Cs Jorge Alfaro, Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernández - OFs Greg Allen, Narciso Crook, Raimel Tapia - INF/OF Niko Goodrum
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 2, 2023 7:44:59 GMT -5
Not much is expected of the Red Sox in 2023, but Truck Day rolls on nonetheless By Dan Shaughnessy Globe Staff,Updated February 2, 2023, 2 hours ago
Truck Day is Friday.
That’s right. Truck Day.
Even with five last-place finishes in 11 seasons and an angry fan base that booed Red Sox ownership/management at the club’s “Winter Weekend” in Springfield, Truck Day goes on. It’s kind of like playing “Sweet Caroline” after the Sox bullpen surrenders nine runs in the top of the eighth inning.
In this spirit, Wally the Green Monster, his sister Tessie, and a bunch of fresh-faced Red Sox ambassadors are expected to be on Van Ness Street around noon Friday, tossing soft baseballs into the “crowd” as a large truck carrying bats, mitts, and rosin bags departs for Fort Myers, Fla.
Truck Day is sponsored by JetBlue, but I’m told that’s only because the Orange Line made its bid too late. I’m also told that George Santos — who claims to have won 20 for the Sox as a righty screwballer in 2009 — is available to formally launch the 2023 Red Sox season by turning the ignition of the 18-wheeler parked on Van Ness.
Amazing. Even in a year when there is little hope for the Red Sox, the big wheels keep on turning. It’s like the L Street Brownies swimming on New Year’s Day and U-Hauls clogging the Back Bay on Labor Day. It is part of the Boston experience.
Truck Day was a big deal around here back around 2005. Fans clogged Van Ness and Jersey Streets and local TV and radio stations breathlessly covered the spectacle. It was one of those “only in Boston” things. I’m pretty sure there’s no fanfare when the Angels annually pack up and drive their stuff from Orange County to Tempe Diablo Stadium in Arizona.
But it’s always been something of an event in the Hardball Hub. Growing up in Central Massachusetts in the 1960s, I remember an annual cornball newspaper photo of the Red Sox equipment truck leaving Fenway for Scottsdale, Ariz. It was a warm reminder that another wicked winter would end, and that maybe Tony C and Yaz could get the moribund Red Sox to play .500 ball just one time.
In the 1980s, local radio legend Eddie Andelman learned that the Sox truck got lost en route to Winter Haven and called the Georgia State Police (on air) to launch a search party. Back then, people here cared about the upcoming baseball season.
As a young sports columnist, I wandered over to Fenway to talk to the guys loading the truck in February 1991. The C. Bain Company of Woburn moved the Sox in those days, and cargo included the usual bats, balls, gloves, spikes, sunflower seeds, strollers, baby seats, bicycles, and one of Mike Greenwell’s toy gators. Those Sox also packed canisters of Skoal, but that’s gone now. MLB has banned the stuff from its clubhouses.
In ‘91, cynical me wrote, “The players’ wallets will arrive under separate cover. The wallets will be secured in an armored truck. The wallet truck has the heavier road.”
The 1991 Red Sox’ total payroll was $32.7 million. Chris Sale, who has pitched in 11 games over the last three seasons, is on the books for $30 million this year.
Truck Day was formalized by the Sox early in the 21st century by club choreographer/maestro Charles Steinberg after John Henry, Tom Werner, and Larry Lucchino bought the ball club in 2001.
“Anyone who grows up in cold weather is dying to see any sign of spring this time of year,” mused Dr. Charles this week. “We felt the hunger fans had for baseball, for spring training, and this was the earliest sign we have of that. We didn’t do anything formal in our first full season. But in 2003 we decided to make it a kind of preseason event that might lead to a desired rolling rally in October.
“That’s a quiet week before the Super Bowl every year, and you can fill it up with a good story that makes people feel good.”
Sox owners brought on JetBlue as the official Truck Day sponsor in 2010.
“It’s just a distinctive feature of Boston Red Sox baseball,” CEO Lucchino said in 2013. “I’ve been in three cities and nowhere is there anything that compares to Truck Day here in Boston.
“It’s just a nice, positive thing, and it’s a testimony to the deep, unabiding passion the Red Sox fans have.”
Lucchino said those words a long time ago — back when the Red Sox were popular and championship-driven.
The New England sports landscape is very different now. Lucchino was kicked to the curb after losing Jon Lester in 2014, and since then we’ve seen the departures of David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Dave Dombrowski, Mookie Betts, and Xander Bogaerts. And a bunch of last-place finishes.
The Red Sox have fallen out of favor with local fans. But Truck Day rolls on. And just like every other year, hope will be heading south from Fenway during lunch hour Friday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 2, 2023 7:45:49 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 44m Just another “Please hate baseball and this team” article from Dan.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Feb 2, 2023 22:01:20 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 44m Just another “Please hate baseball and this team” article from Dan. So very few in the media with the balls to call out another writer. That's why Lou is the man.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 3, 2023 7:15:07 GMT -5
Truck Day at Fenway Park as Red Sox leave frigid Boston for sunny Florida
By CBSBoston.com Staff
Updated on: February 3, 2023 / 5:51 AM / CBS Boston
Sports Truck Day at Fenway Park as Red Sox leave frigid Boston for sunny Florida boston
By CBSBoston.com Staff
Updated on: February 3, 2023 / 5:51 AM / CBS Boston
BOSTON -- It's absolutely freezing in Boston on Friday. But the arctic blast won't put a chill on the part outside of Fenway Park.
Friday is the annual "Truck Day" for the Boston Red Sox, a sign that spring (and warm weather) is inching closer. The equipment truck will be loaded up with anything and everything that the team needs for Spring Training and then depart for Fort Myers, Florida just before noon on Friday.
And we mean it when we say anything and everything. From baseballs to gloves to cases of bubble gum, all the good stuff is getting packed up for the 1,480-mile trek to Florida.
Here's everything that will be loaded onto the 53-foot truck on Jersey Street, starting early Friday morning.
20,400 baseballs 1,100 bats 200 batting gloves 200 batting helmets 320 Batting Practice tops 160 white game jerseys 300 pairs of pants 400 t-shirts 400 pairs of socks 20 cases of bubble gum 60 cases of sunflower seeds
While there isn't a ton of buzz surrounding the Red Sox this February, fans are a big part of the Truck Day celebration. And those that brave the frigid temps outside of Fenway Park will be met by Wally the Green Monster, his sister Tessie, and Fenway Ambassadors, who will be on a flat-bed truck and tossing soft Red Sox baseballs to fans as it leads the equipment truck away from the ballpark.
"Truck Day" has signaled the unofficial start of Red Sox Spring Training since 2003.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 3, 2023 14:14:15 GMT -5
Dan Shaughnessy Retweeted Matt McCarthy @mattmccarthy985 · 4h Today, hope springs eternal.
Happy Truck Day to those who celebrate.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 6, 2023 18:28:06 GMT -5
Here's what to know about Red Sox Spring Training 5:16 PM AST Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
The 2023 Red Sox, a team with plenty of motivation to avenge last season’s last-place finish in the American League East, will soon be getting after it in Spring Training.
Led by star slugger Rafael Devers, who is signed for the next 11 seasons, the Sox have an interesting roster that features several newcomers. Here are the answers to several questions you might have about Spring Training:
When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
The first official workout for pitchers and catchers is on Feb. 15. The voluntary report date for pitchers and catchers participating in the World Baseball Classic is Feb. 13.
What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
The first full-squad workout will take place on Feb. 20. Position players participating in the Classic have a report date of Feb. 16.
Where is the team’s facility?
The Red Sox train at Fenway South off Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, Fla. JetBlue Park, where the Sox play their Grapefruit League games and which has the same dimensions as Fenway Park, is in the same development as the sprawling complex of practice fields. Fenway South is at a convenient location right off the highway and near the airport.
Can fans attend workouts?
Workouts are open and free to the public to attend.
Who are some new faces fans should know?
The newcomer who is likely to draw the most attention is Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida. The Sox invested five years and more than $90 million, plus a $15.4 million posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes, in a player known for his keen batting eye.
From the free-agent market, the Sox also added several veterans: infielder/DH Justin Turner, outfielder Adam Duvall, starting pitcher Corey Kluber, closer Kenley Jansen and setup men Chris Martin and Joely Rodríguez. The supremely athletic yet oft-injured infielder Adalberto Mondesi was added in a trade with the Royals.
Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
Ceddanne Rafaela, a five-tool prospect who broke out last season, was added to the 40-man roster in November and will participate in his first Major League camp. Rafaela’s best position is center field, where he is a standout; he can also play shortstop. Speaking of shortstops, Matthew Lugo, Boston’s second-round pick in the 2019 Draft, headlines the list of non-roster invitees in camp.
Speedy INF/OF David Hamilton, acquired from the Brewers in December 2021, will be a player to keep tabs on in Spring Training. On the pitching side, lefty starters Chris Murphy and Brandon Walter, will get a chance to impress the brass.
Which players will be participating in the World Baseball Classic?
Though final rosters for the Classic haven’t been announced yet, the Sox will likely have their fair share of notable players participating in the showcase event, including Devers (Dominican Republic), Kiké Hernández (Puerto Rico), Yoshida (Japan), Alex Verdugo (Mexico), Nick Pivetta (Canada) and Rafaela (Netherlands).
When is the team’s first Grapefruit League game?
The Sox open with a road game against the Braves on Feb. 25.
What are a few other notable spring games?
The home opener is Feb. 26 against the Rays. Team Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Classic squad will play an exhibition against the Sox on March 8 at JetBlue Park. The next day, Boston travels to Tampa to face the Yankees. Just three days later, a split-squad Yankees will go to Fort Myers. On March 1 and 2, the Sox play the reigning American and National League champs on back-to-back days, first facing the Astros in West Palm Beach and then hosting the Phillies.
Will the team’s games be televised?
Not all the games will be on television, but NESN is expected to air roughly 25 Grapefruit League games, including most of the Saturday and Sunday contests. The college exhibition against Northeastern on Feb. 24 will be televised, as well as the Grapefruit League opener against the Braves the next day. NESN hasn’t released its full schedule of games in Spring Training yet.
When is the club’s last game in Florida?
Manager Alex Cora’s squad will break camp following a March 28 home game against the Braves.
Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
No. The coaching staff and players will get a full day to soak up their surroundings in Boston before the 2023 season begins.
What are the details for Opening Day?
For the Red Sox, the 2023 season starts on March 30 at 2:10 p.m. ET at Fenway Park against the Orioles. In the event of inclement weather, which is always possible during that time of year in Boston, there is an open date of March 31 as a backup option.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 7, 2023 14:42:19 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h Hello from @fenwaysouth . A lot of minor leaguers on the fields today.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 7, 2023 14:45:33 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h Tanner Houck here today. Also spotted Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello and Ryan Brasier.
Big day in the Fort. Saw some pitchers at the complex and ran into the great Joe Castiglione at Publix.
If you’re wondering about Garrett Whitlock’s back, he was carrying this weight back and forth then did a series of sprints. Looking pretty limber. Tanner Houck running sprints, too.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 8, 2023 8:43:26 GMT -5
Chris Sale’s comeback among Red Sox’s top 10 storylines with spring camp one week away
Updated: Feb. 08, 2023, 6:25 a.m.|Published: Feb. 08, 2023, 6:11 a.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
Red Sox pitchers and catchers will participate in their first official workout one week from today (Wednesday, Feb. 15) at JetBlue Park.
The first full squad workout will be Feb. 20. Here are 10 storylines to watch when spring training camp begins:
1. Significant roster turnover
Thirty-two players who appeared in games for the 2022 Red Sox are no longer with the team.
Sixteen players on the 40-man roster have been added this offseason.
Ten players — Adalberto Mondesi, Justin Turner, Adam Duvall, Masataka Yoshida, Richard Bleier, Kenley Jansen, Corey Kluber, Chris Martin, Wyatt Mills and Joely Rodríguez — were added via free agency and trades.
Six players — Ceddanne Rafaela, Chris Murphy, Brandon Walter, David Hamilton, Enmanuel Valdez and Wilyer Abreu — are prospects who were added to the 40-man roster this offseason.
2. Who’s the leader(s)?
Xander Bogaerts was the face of the Red Sox and the team leader for years. He signed for 11 years, $280 million with the Padres this offseason.
Who will take charge in Boston’s clubhouse with Bogaerts gone?
It’s rare for a pitcher to be the leader but Chris Sale has the personality. His 2018 World Series Game 4 dugout speech motivated his teammates and helped lead to a comeback win.
One problem though: Can Sale stay healthy to be around the team enough to lead? He has made just 11 regular-season starts the past three years. He has spent most of his time rehabbing at the JetBlue Park complex.
Rafael Devers has the chance to become the face of the franchise after inking the largest contract in team history (11 years, $331 million).
Kiké Hernández mentioned Tuesday on Jomboy Media’s The Chris Rose Rotation that free agent signee Justin Turner has the ability to change the culture in the clubhouse. Hernández himself also has the personality to lead.
3. Will Chris Sale be the Opening Day starter?
Sale has made just 11 regular-season starts since the beginning of 2020. It’s been one injury after another. He’s expected to be a full-go in spring training but will he stay healthy enough to start Opening Day?
Sale has pitched so little the past few years that the Bill James Handbook didn’t include him in its 2023 projections section. ZiPS projects he’ll go 5-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 16 starts.
He missed the first 118 games in 2021 rehabbing from Tommy John. He missed the first 87 games in 2022 because of a right rib stress fracture. He returned in July but he suffered a left fifth finger fracture in his second start back when he got struck with a 106.7 mph line drive comebacker. Sale was hoping to return from the fracture but he broke his right wrist in a bicycle accident in early August.
4. The pitch timer and its effect on pitchers, especially Kenley Jansen
Jansen had the third worst tempo (25.6 seconds) between pitches last year, behind only Jonathan Loáisiga (25.8) and Giovanny Gallegos (25.8), per Baseball Savant.
He led all pitchers for the worst slow percentage (22.3%) with the bases empty. He was second worst in slow percentage (57.3%) with runners on base.
There will be a pitch timer implemented in 2023.
5. Who will make the Red Sox starting rotation?
Sale, Garrett Whitlock, Nick Pivetta, James Paxton and Corey Kluber likely will round out the Opening Day starting rotation as long as they are all healthy.
Tanner Houck and Brayan Bello also will compete for rotation spots.
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom threw cold water on the idea of Paxton being used as a reliever.
Bloom confirmed Whitlock will be a starter in 2023.
Depth starters on the 40-man roster include Kutter Crawford, Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy, Brandon Walter and Josh Winckowski.
6. Masataka Yoshida
Yoshida is expected to spend the first few days at Red Sox camp before departing for Japan’s WBC training site.
He ranks No. 87 on Baseball America’s Top 100 prospect list.
The Red Sox gave him a five-year, $90-million contract before taking a single at-bat in the majors. That’s risky.
Rivals have ripped the Red Sox and described it as “an overpay.”
The 29-year-old left-handed hitter is expected to lead off against right-handed starters. He showed incredible plate discipline in Japan with 120 more walks than strikeouts in seven seasons.
The left fielder’s defense could be an issue. Baseball America wrote, “below-average defender in left field whose range is severely limited. He plays hard and catches what is hit to him, but he struggles to reach balls in the gap or down the line. He has below-average arm strength that limits him to left field.”
7. Middle infield situation
Trevor Story, who will miss significant time in 2023 after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, will be missed greatly. The Red Sox were 51-43 when Story played in 2022. They were 27-41 when he didn’t play.
Barring any acquisitions, the Red Sox have three middle infielders (Kiké Hernández, Adalberto Mondesí and Christian Arroyo) sharing the shortstop and second base duties.
But can Mondesi and Arroyo be relied on to stay healthy?
Arroyo missed 17 games because of a left groin strain and eight games while on the COVID related IL in 2022.
In 2021, he missed 16 games with a left hand contusion, 13 games with a right knee contusion, 31 games with a left hamstring strain and 22 games because of COVID.
Mondesí has appeared in only 358 games in seven big league seasons. He has played more than 75 games in a season only once (102 games in 2019). An ACL tear sidelined him for all but 15 games last season. He was limited to 35 games in 2021 because of a strained left oblique, left hamstring strain and strained right oblique.
The Red Sox obviously could add a middle infielder via trade or free agency as Bloom discussed.
8. Catching situation
The Red Sox also could still add a catcher before Opening Day.
Reese McGuire and Connor Wong are the only two catchers on the 40-man roster.
Jorge Alfaro, who signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training, will compete for one of the two spots on the big league roster.
Alfaro’s deal comes with a $2 million base salary if he makes the major league roster and opt-outs on June 1 and July 1, according to our Chris Cotillo. He has a .256/.305/.396/.701 line with 47 homers, 67 doubles, four triples and 194 RBIs in 478 major league games with the Phillies (2016-18), Marlins (2019-21) and Padres (2022).
9. Triston Casas and Justin Turner at first base
Releasing Eric Hosmer shows the Red Sox obviously have a lot of confidence in Triston Casas to produce as their everyday first baseman. But his sample size is limited (27 big league games, 95 plate appearances) and he’ll go through some difficult stretches like any young player. There will be some pressure on him.
Justin Turner, a right-handed hitter, is expected to DH and complement Casas at first base.
But Turner has made just 25 starts at first base during his career. He hasn’t started a game there since 2015. He always was a strong defender at third (18 career defensive runs saved).
Bobby Dalbec is almost the forgotten first baseman but he remains on the 40-man roster and will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
10. New-look bullpen
Boston’s bullpen ranked 26th in the majors in reliever ERA (4.59) in 2022. Red Sox relievers blew 28 saves.
Bloom added a closer (Jansen) as well as relievers Chris Martin, Joely Rodríguez and Richard Bleier,
Boston designated and traded Matt Barnes but kept Ryan Brasier and Kaleb Ort based on their potential. Will those types of decisions come back to haunt Bloom? We shall see.
The Red Sox added a strike-thrower in Martin who struck out 34 and walked one batter in 24 ⅔ innings after being traded midseason to the Dodgers in ‘22. He finished with a 3.05 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 74 strikeouts and five walks in 60 outings (56 innings).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 8, 2023 11:34:37 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1h New #RedSox LF Masataka Yoshida is among the early arrivals at Fenway South.
#RedSox added RHP Jake Faria to the spring training roster as a non-roster invitee. He has No. 32.
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