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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 8, 2023 14:28:41 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1h (1/2) New numbers for you #RedSox numerologists out there:
2. Justin Turner 7. Masataka Yoshida 12. Connor Wong 17. Raimel Tapia 18. Adam Duvall 22. Garrett Whitlock 25. Josh Winckowski 28. Corey Kluber 32. Jake Faria 35. Richard Bleier 38. Jorge Alfaro 40. Wyatt Mills
(2/2) New numbers for you #RedSox numerologists out there:
43. Adalberto Mondesí 55. Chris Martin 57. Joely Rodriguez 65. James Paxton 74. Kenley Jansen
(Some of these aren't new numbers, just catching you up on new Sox players)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 8, 2023 14:30:41 GMT -5
How much can Sale give Red Sox in 2023? 3 key storylines to watch for Boston during Spring Training 2:17 PM AST Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
When I arrive in Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday, it will mark the start of my 22nd season covering the Red Sox for MLB.com. Where has the time gone?
One thing I’ve learned throughout these two-plus decades is that there are always a few storylines that wind up as the prevailing themes of Spring Training.
Here are three that jump out at me for this spring:
1) Sale is healthy. Will he stay healthy? All eyes will be on Chris Sale when Spring Training begins. The veteran left-hander was thrilled to reveal to reporters at Winter Weekend last month that he is fully healthy again.
As the oft-injured pitcher humorously put it, “They put Humpty Dumpty back together.”
But as Sale and the Red Sox have learned in recent years, it matters not how he feels at the start of camp, but if he can make it to the end of it -- on track to be in the rotation come Opening Day, which is something he has been unable to do since 2019.
If Sale can avoid significant injuries and even get close to his previous form, it could help the Red Sox defy preseason prognostications, the bulk of which pick them for fifth place in the American League East. Given that Sale has logged a total of 57 1/3 innings (including postseason) since the end of the 2019 season, it will be interesting to see how many innings the Red Sox will try to get from him if he stays healthy.
2) The arrival of Yoshida In terms of media hype for a Japanese player, it’s hard to think anything will ever top Daisuke Matsuzaka in 2007. Dice-K’s every move was a storyline that spring. While we never did see the “gyroball” in action, Matsuzaka had a solid rookie season, helping Boston win the World Series. He went 18-3 in his second season before his career faded significantly.
Now, there is great intrigue in two countries to see what type of player Masataka Yoshida can be after the Red Sox signed him to a five-year, $90 million contract and also sent a posting fee of $15.375 million to the Orix Buffaloes.
Yoshida is known for his superb batting eye. Will that translate against Major League pitching? Will the left-handed hitter be able to generate enough power to hit, say, 20 homers in his rookie year? Will his defense be good enough in left field? How will he handle the spotlight?
There are many questions, which will make this a great story to follow.
3) Kiké's quest to take over at short When Trevor Story underwent significant surgery on his right elbow in early January, it felt like a big blow to the Red Sox, who were counting on the athletic veteran to take over for the departed Xander Bogaerts at shortstop. There is no specific timetable for Story’s return, but he will miss a significant chunk of time in 2023.
Instead of trying to sign or trade for an established shortstop, the Red Sox instead appear poised to give Kiké Hernández the chance to take the job and run with it -- at least until Story gets back.
Hernández has been nothing if not overly versatile in his career, playing every position but catcher. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and manager Alex Cora both recently said Hernández has the ability to be a plus defender at any position he plays due to his first-step quickness. Hernández has started 64 games at short in his career and logged 618 innings, totals that pale in comparison to how much he has played in center field and second base.
It will be interesting to see how well he will adapt to the most important infield position while playing there on a regular basis and how his body will hold up. Hernández thinks playing short will be less taxing. Time will tell.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 8, 2023 18:02:22 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK New outfielder Masataka Yoshida arrives early at Red Sox camp By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated February 8, 2023, 2 hours ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pitchers and catchers aren’t required to report to spring training until Tuesday. But the Red Sox already have a group of players working out at Fenway South.
That included new left fielder Masataka Yoshida Wednesday. He played catch and did some drills with strength and conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose, a native of Japan.
Yoshida, who was signed to a five-year, $90 million contract in December, will be with the Red Sox until approximately the first week of March, when he returns to Japan to prepare for the World Baseball Classic.
Depending on how far Japan advances, Yoshida could be gone until March 22.
The only other position player spotted Wednesday was infielder Christian Arroyo.
Pitchers Brayan Bello, Ryan Brasier, Tanner Houck, Zack Kelly, Nick Pivetta, Chris Sale, and Garrett Whitlock also have been working out at Fenway South. Faria signs up
Righthanded swingman Jake Faria, 29, was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.
Faria has four seasons of major league experience, going 9-9 with a 4.70 earned run average in 72 games, 29 of them starts.
Faria has pitched in only 23 major league games over the last three seasons.
He did not play in 2020 after being outrighted by the Brewers during spring training. Faria had a 5.51 earned run average for the Diamondbacks in 2021, then started last season in Triple A with the Twins before being released in June after going 1-2 with a 7.48 ERA in 12 games. Numbers game
Xander Bogaerts is gone after 10 seasons but the Sox will still have a No. 2 on the roster.
Justin Turner asked for the number, which he wore with the Mets from 2010-13. He had No. 10 with the Dodgers but Trevor Story has that with the Red Sox.
Three players upgraded their numbers. Connor Wong shed 74 for 12, Whitlock switched from 72 to 22 in part as an homage to Rick Porcello, and Josh Winckowski took 25 instead of 73.
As for other new players, Yoshida has 7, Raimel Tapia 17, Adam Duvall 18, Corey Kluber 28, Richard Bleier 35, Adalberto Mondesí 43, Chris Martin 55, Joely Rodriguez 57, and Kenley Jansen 74.
Mondesí had 43 during his seven seasons with the Royals. It’s the same number his father, Raúl, wore for 13 years in the majors.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 9, 2023 12:33:18 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3h Good morning from Fenway South, where they seem to be just about finished with hurricane repairs.
Tanner Houck, who is coming off back surgery, looks to be his old self.
RHP Zack Kelly, who pitched pretty well last season after making his MLB debut, is another early arrival at the Fort. He threw a bullpen today.
Here’s Masataka Yoshida taking soft-toss. Ball carries off his bat and there’s plenty of oppo power. He’s hitting underhand soft toss off the fence.
He hit this ball well over the fence in RF. Power is certainly not a question. The ball flies.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 9, 2023 14:40:03 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 21m Here is the #RedSox spring training schedule with game times, TV and radio.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 10, 2023 10:04:47 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 18m Eight members of the Japanese press arrived at Fenway South this morning. Masataka Yoshida smiled and tipped his cap to the group as he walked past. A+ in media relations!
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 10, 2023 12:23:08 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h Alex Cora at the complex this morning and getting a first-hand look at Yoshida working out.
Rafael Devers, Kiké Hernández and Alex Verdugo are coming in this weekend. Not sure if it’s official or not, but the WBC players are reporting earlier at other camps, too.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 10, 2023 17:47:12 GMT -5
As Red Sox prepare to open camp, the roster is dotted with new faces By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated February 10, 2023, 31 minutes ago
Rosters change, much like the seasons.
As the Red Sox embark on their spring training journey, they unquestionably will feel a roster shift, one that began in 2020 when they traded Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. Some two years later, they encounter a similar reality following Xander Bogaerts’s departure in free agency.
Still, they have to move forward. Throughout the offseason, the Sox brass — led by chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom — have expressed confidence that they are well-suited to compete in the American League East.
To reach that lofty goal, of course, it will require some new faces.
The Sox have a bit more clarity heading into this spring than they did last year. The 99-day MLB lockout in 2022 halted any vision Bloom and his staff had. The Sox, like all teams, were allowed to make only minor league transactions during that period.
Bloom has made it clear that his vision involves building a sustainable winner. The Sox didn’t hit on all of their free agents this offseason. Bogaerts trading in his Sox jersey for a Padres uniform will be an adjustment. But how much turnover will they have to endure? What new key pieces can make an impact?
The pitching depth, particularly in the bullpen, has seen a complete overhaul.
Consider: Just before the Sox opened camp last year, they had 22 pitchers on the 40-man roster. They then added Jake Diekman, which made it 23. Of those 23, just 10 are still with the Sox.
The rotation will be some combination of Chris Sale, James Paxton, Brayan Bello, Garrett Whitlock, Corey Kluber, Nick Pivetta, and Tanner Houck, with Houck seen more as a weapon out of the bullpen.
Kluber, technically, is the only newcomer of the crew, but Sale and Paxton have missed so much time with injuries that they might as well be, too.
Bello, though, is at the head of some young talent that intrigues the Sox.
Last spring, Bello was already a big name within the system, though somewhat of an unknown to Red Sox fans. He had steamrolled his way through High A Greenville in 2021, reaching Double A Portland and making a large impression there, too.
He continued that into 2022 with Triple A Worcester, earning a big league call-up in July. When September rolled around, Bello was one of the Sox’ best pitchers, registering a 1.65 ERA in five starts that month. He comes into this spring vying for a spot in the rotation.
Bryan Mata is another young name that will be watched closely this spring. The Sox’ top pitching prospect returned to the mound last year following Tommy John surgery in 2021. Mata worked his way up the ladder from Low A Salem to Worcester. The 6-foot-3-inch, 238-pound righthander tossed 83 innings in his four stops, registering a 2.49 ERA while holding opponents to a .201 batting average.
“I think we’re in a better spot now than we have been in recent years,” general manager Brian O’Halloran said. “Both in terms of some quality guys like Bello who came up last year and showed obviously great stuff and exciting promise and a whole slew of guys, a couple of whom came up and took a few lumps but showed what they can do, as well as just the depth at Triple A.”
Currently, the pitching depth on the 40-man roster measures out to roughly 10 or so new arms that weren’t at camp last year. It’s a mix of young and older. Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen represent the biggest offseason acquisitions to fortify the bullpen. Brandon Walter and Chris Murphy (both on the 40-man) are intriguing lefty prospects. Taylor Broadway, a nonroster invitee who was traded by the White Sox in August of last year, will make his debut at Fenway South.
When it comes to position players, the catching spot is a huge area of concern. The Sox enter spring training with two catchers on the 40-man roster in Connor Wong and Reese McGuire. They take the spots of Christian Vázquez, who was traded to Houston last year, and Kevin Plawecki (designated for assignment). The Sox had a chance to add Vázquez back to the fold, but he instead signed with the Twins.
Bloom added 29-year-old catcher Jorge Alfaro to the mix in January, signing him to a minor league deal. Alfaro headlines a list of four nonroster invitee catchers, along with Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernandez, and Stephen Scott, bringing the total to six.
Depth? Sure. But quality depth is lacking.
Triston Casas was a nonroster invitee last year. Now he’s the clear-cut first baseman.
Third baseman Enmanuel Valdez, who was part of the Vázquez trade, is another player to watch. He hit .296 with three minor league teams last year, though just .237 with the WooSox. Valdez is a bat-first player known for his power, belting 28 homers last year.
The biggest name of them all, however, is Ceddanne Rafaela. In a season of lowlights for the big league club, Rafaela brought optimism and highlights to the minor league stage. He hit .299/.342/.539 with an .880 OPS between Greenville and Portland. Rafaela has drawn comparisons to Betts and is seen by some as a Gold Glove talent in the outfield, with his infield skills not far behind.
Infielders Jonathan Aráuz, Bogaerts, Jeter Downs, and Hudson Potts were a part of big league camp last year; they are gone, leaving Kiké Hernández, Bobby Dalbec, Christian Arroyo, and Rafael Devers to open up camp.
Middle infielder Adalberto Mondesí was acquired in a trade with the Royals, but he won’t be ready right away as he is still recovering from an ACL tear. And Trevor Story, of course, will miss a chunk of the season after having elbow surgery.
The Sox also acquired Justin Turner, who should get some reps at first base but is more suited for the designated hitter’s spot, replacing J.D. Martinez.
The Sox opened up last spring with Jackie Bradley Jr., Jarren Duran, Jeisson Rosario, and Alex Verdugo in the outfield.
They have replaced two of those players (Bradley and Rosario) with Wilyer Abreu (also in the Vázquez trade), Masataka Yoshida, and Adam Duvall. Duran is looking to make some type of noise in the spring after a forgettable 2022 highlighted by his struggles in center.
Rob Refsnyder rounds out the outfield list after being a nonroster invitee last year.
The Sox roster has seen some change. Whether it’s good change that will lead to a playoff run remains to be seen.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 12, 2023 6:21:32 GMT -5
A first projection of who will be with the Red Sox on Opening Day, with analysis of the 26-man roster By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated February 11, 2023, 5:15 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — With so many familiar faces now chasing championships somewhere else, the Red Sox open spring training this week with what feels like a group of strangers.
At the age of 26, Rafael Devers is the longest-tenured player on the roster. Yes, Chris Sale has technically been around a little longer. But his presence has been more rumor than fact for the last three seasons because of injuries.
Based on bWAR, the leading returning player from last season outside of Devers is John Schreiber.
The Sox will likely break camp with 10-11 players new to the organization and two or three others with less than a year of major league experience.
For this team, spring training will be important as roles take shape on the field and new personalities mold the clubhouse.
Now is a good time to project what the roster will look like when the Sox open the season at Fenway Park on March 30 against the Orioles.
Keep in mind the Sox will build their Opening Day roster with the goal of keeping as many players under control as possible. That favors players on the 40-man roster, especially those without minor league options. Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has made it clear in his three seasons in charge that he prizes roster flexibility and minor league depth.
Teams can keep no more than 13 pitchers.
Trevor Story, who made a good first impression last season, is recovering from elbow surgery and won’t be available until, at best, sometime in July. The 40-man roster is full at the moment but the Sox will pick up a spot when Story goes on the 60-day injured list.
With that in mind, here is the first projection for the Opening Day roster:
▪ Starting rotation (5): LHP Sale, RHP Corey Kluber, RHP Brayan Bello, LHP James Paxton, RHP Garrett Whitlock.
Analysis: Unless the Sox decide to open the season with a six-man rotation to protect Sale, Paxton, and Whitlock in their return from injuries, there’s no room for righthander Nick Pivetta.
Paxton has pitched nine years in the majors without a relief appearance. After three seasons of dealing with injuries, it wouldn’t seem wise to use him in relief. But that hasn’t been ruled out.
There’s always a chance Sale could open the season on the injured list because the Sox will want to bring him along slowly. But if he’s healthy, they should get him on the mound while they can.
Depth starters Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski, both righthanders, have options remaining and are likely to open the season in Triple A.
▪ Bullpen (8): LHP Richard Bleier, RHP Ryan Brasier, RHP Tanner Houck, RHP Kenley Jansen, RHP Chris Martin, Pivetta, LHP Joely Rodríguez, RHP Schreiber.
Analysis: Pivetta fits here as a spot starter and multi-inning reliever, a role that will likely be important early in the season. With Jansen closing, Houck, Martin, and Schreiber slot in as setup men with Bleier and Rodríguez as lefty options.
Houck is likely to work as a starter in spring training in case of injury. But the plan is to have him in the bullpen. He could be a dominant eighth-inning option.
If there’s an injury, Zack Kelly, Kaleb Ort, or Wyatt Mills (all righthanders) are good candidates to make the roster.
▪ Infield (6): 1B Triston Casas, 2B Christian Arroyo, SS Kiké Hernández, 3B Devers, 1B-3B Justin Turner, SS-2B Niko Goodrum.
Analysis: Given how cautious the Red Sox are with injuries, it’s likely Adalberto Mondesí opens the season on the injured list as he recovers from knee surgery. That opens a spot for Goodrum, a non-roster player with ample major league experience.
Turner will get most of his at-bats as the DH but is certainly capable of filling in at the corners. That isn’t good news for Bobby Dalbec.
Dalbec had 62 extra-base hits, 94 RBIs, and an .819 OPS over 156 games from 2020-21 before crashing last season and being demoted to Triple A. He struggled as a bench player last season and likely serves the Sox best playing every day in Worcester as insurance for Casas. It would not be a surprise to see him get some outfield work in spring training.
▪ Outfield (5): LF Masataka Yoshida, CF Adam Duvall, RF Alex Verdugo, OF Rob Refsnyder, OF Raimel Tapia.
Analysis: The Sox could opt for another middle infielder and use four outfielders. But the guess here is Tapia can make the team as a non-roster player.
Yoshida, Duvall, and Verdugo seem locked into their positions. The Sox are counting on Yoshida to be a fulcrum offensively, which won’t be easy as he makes the transition from Japan.
There are a lot of questions defensively with this group. Yoshida is a below-average defender, Duvall has only 68 career starts in center field over his eight-year career, and Verdugo is a much better left fielder than right fielder.
Refsnyder is a capable backup at all three spots. Based on ability and experience Tapia is a better choice than Jarren Duran.
The Sox could throw down a wild card and give a spot to Ryan Fitzgerald, a 28-year-old former independent ball player who can play everywhere but catcher.
▪ Catcher (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong.
Analysis: That the Sox were able to sign Jorge Alfaro to a minor league contract was a surprise as he could well be the best catcher on the roster. He has much more experience than McGuire. But Alfaro can’t opt out of his minor league deal until June 1, so he’s likely to start with Worcester and the Sox will see what they have in McGuire and Wong.
McGuire hit .337 with an .877 OPS in 36 games for the Sox last season. That sounds promising, but it’s probably an aberration. He hit .241 with a .646 OPS in the 194 games he played before that.
Wong turns 27 in May, so he’s not really a prospect at this stage. That he played second base, third base, and outfield in the minors could come in handy.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 12, 2023 6:23:38 GMT -5
Five Red Sox story lines heading into spring training By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated February 11, 2023, 7:36 p.m.
The Red Sox’ buildup to the 2023 season will start to take shape when pitchers and catchers report this coming week to Fenway South.
The Sox will try to bounce back from last season’s last-place finish in the American League East with some new faces.
So long, Xander Bogaerts. Hello, Adalberto Mondesi.
Here are five story lines heading into the spring:
▪ The rotation’s health. Really, that means Chris Sale’s health, because a lot of the rotation’s success depends on how much the Red Sox can get out of Sale. The lefthander, who signed a contract extension following the team’s 2018 World Series title, has pitched in just 11 games over the last three seasons, which included a wide range of injuries, including Tommy John surgery.
Sale recently said at the team’s Winter Weekend event that “Humpty Dumpty got put back together.” But this spring, and then this season, will ultimately be the judge of that. The Sox will bring Sale along slowly. The same goes for James Paxton, who missed all of last season. Paxton was expected back by the midway point in 2022, but he suffered a Grade 2 lat tear in his left (throwing) shoulder. Paxton has made only six starts over the last three years. He pitched well for the Yankees in 2019, making 29 starts, going 15-6, and compiling a 3.82 ERA in 150⅔ innings, striking out 186. If the Sox can get anywhere near that version of Paxton, it would be a bonus.
But again, the success of the rotation largely depends on Sale. The days of him making 30-plus starts in a season may be over, but can he give the Sox 22 or 23? The days of him throwing a high-90s fastball are likely also finished. But Sale has said that he’s now comfortable living in the low 90s, and then emptying the tank when he sees fit.
▪ Can Verdugo take another step? Alex Verdugo’s three seasons with the Red Sox have been solid, batting .288/.343/.425 with a .768 OPS. He has elite bat-to-ball skills and doesn’t strike out much (just 227 in 1,469 plate appearances with the Sox). He hit .280 last season with a career-high 39 doubles. But manager Alex Cora made it clear at the end of the season that he wanted more, believing Verdugo’s 2022 season could have been better.
Verdugo can sometimes deviate from his approach and try to launch the ball. When that happens, you will see him roll over grounders to second base. His ground-ball rate (45.2 last year) can be an issue at times. But where Verdugo really took a step back last season was in the outfield, where he finished minus-5 in defensive runs saved. Acquisition Masataka Yoshida grades as a below-average outfielder and is seen strictly playing left. That means Verdugo will have to command right field on a full-time basis, the toughest position to play at Fenway Park.
▪ Enter Yoshida. Speaking of Yoshida, there will be a lot of eyes on the Japanese star as he makes his first splash in the big leagues. Yoshida is known for his bat, hitting .336/.449/.559 with a 1.007 OPS for the Orix Buffaloes last season. He has a keen eye at the plate and will take his walks, something the Red Sox struggled with last season. The Sox need his slugging numbers to translate, and former big leaguer Adam Jones (who played with Yoshida during the 2020 and ‘21 seasons) believes they will, calling Yoshida the Japanese Juan Soto.
That might be too lofty of a comparison. But if Yoshida’s power doesn’t translate, he’s just another Verdugo.
▪ Life without Bogaerts. Kiké Hernández is excited to play shortstop, and he will get a lot of the reps with Trevor Story (elbow) out for a significant period and Mondesi still recovering from knee surgery. Hernández has never started more than 17 games at shortstop, so this will certainly be a test of durability. It’s known as his best position. Hernández says he’s a shortstop at heart who just happens to play multiple positions. Now, the Sox need him at short more than ever.
▪ The leadership. It’s not just Bogaerts who went west, but J.D. Martinez, too. Bogaerts and Martinez implemented a culture while with the Red Sox. Martinez was the team’s “player/hitting coach.” Teammates embraced some — not all — of his routines. Martinez was a voice for other players, including Mookie Betts, who said Martinez helped him greatly during his MVP season of 2018.
Acquisition Justin Turner, according to Hernández, is similar to Martinez and can take on that role. Rafael Devers will have to step up, too, after signing a lucrative contract. That’s just the way it works.
However, there will no doubt be an adjustment period with such franchise pillars playing elsewhere.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 13, 2023 8:37:39 GMT -5
Meet new Red Sox players: Trades, free agency have 40-man roster looking much different
Updated: Feb. 13, 2023, 8:34 a.m.|Published: Feb. 13, 2023, 8:07 a.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Thirty-two players who appeared in games for the 2022 Red Sox are no longer with the organization.
Boston has 10 new players on the 40-man roster who it added via trade or free agency this winter.
They also have six new prospects who they added to the 40-man roster this offseason. Meet the new guys
Masataka Yoshida: Boston signed the Japanese outfielder for five years, $90 million. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter will start in left field. He’s expected to lead off against right-handed starters.
Baseball America ranks him No. 87 on its Top 100 list. He batted .335 with a .447 on-base percentage, .561 slugging percentage, 1.008 OPS, 21 homers, 28 doubles, one triple, 88 RBIs and 56 runs in 119 games (508 plate appearances) for the 2022 Orix Buffaloes of the Japan Pacific League.
Rivals have ripped the signing and described it as “an overpay.”
Yoshida showed incredible plate discipline in Japan with 120 more walks than strikeouts in seven seasons.
His defense could be an issue, although Fenway has a small left field. 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.”
Kenley Jansen: The Red Sox finally added an established closer, inking Jansen for two years, $32 million.
Jansen posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and an NL-leading 41 saves for the Braves in 2022. He averaged 12.0 strikeouts and 3.1 walks per nine innings.
He has a 2.58 ERA and 285 saves in 482 games since the start of 2015.
Adjusting to the new pitch timer is one thing to watch with the 35-year-old. He 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.
Corey Kluber: Boston pursued Kluber each of the past two offseasons before landing him this winter for one year, $10 million in guaranteed money. The contract also includes a 2024 club option worth $11 million.
The two-time Cy Young winner (2014, ‘17) went 15-13 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 47 starts over the past two seasons with the Yankees and Rays.
The 36-year-old righty ranked in the 99th percentile in walk percentage, 96th percentile in chase rate, 80th percentile in average exit velocity and 75th percentile in hard hit percentage in 2022, per Baseball Savant. He led the league in fewest walks per nine innings (1.2).
But he ranked in the 19th percentile in expected batting average against, 26th percentile in expected slugging percentage against and 34th percentile in whiff percentage.
He throws a cutter, curveball, sinker, changeup and occasional four-seamer fastball. His sinker averaged 88.9 mph last season. He ranked in the 64th percentile in fastball spin and 56th percentile in curveball spin.
Chris Martin: Boston signed the 36-year-old reliever to a two-year, $17.5-million contract.
The 6-8, 225-pound righty is a strike thrower. He 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) last year.
This marks his second stint with the Red Sox. He signed a minor league contract with the Red Sox on March 31, 2011. He pitched in Boston’s minor league system from 2011-13 before Boston traded him with Franklin Morales to the Rockies for Jonathan Herrera on Dec. 18, 2013.
Adalberto Mondesí: Boston acquired the 27-year-old infielder from the Royals for Josh Taylor.
Mondesí, once ranked by Baseball America as the No. 28 prospect on its Top 100, has batted just .244 with a .280 on-base percentage, .408 slugging percentage and .687 OPS in 358 major league games. He does have terrific speed with 133 career steals, including 43 in 102 games in 2019.
Staying healthy is a major issue. His 102 games in 2019 is the most he has ever logged in a season. He has played 75 games or under in his six other seasons.
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.
Justin Turner: The 38-year-old signed a one-year deal that guarantees him $15 million and includes a player option.
The longtime third baseman is expected to serve as a DH and right-handed hitting complement to Triston Casas at first base.
In the past nine seasons with the Dodgers, he slashed .296/.375/.490/.865 with 156 homers, 235 doubles, seven triples and 574 RBIs in 1,075 games.
He posted a .278/.350/.438/.788 line with 13 homers, 36 doubles, 81 RBIs and 61 walks in 128 games (532 plate appearances) for LA last season.
Turner has made just 25 starts at first base during his career. He hasn’t started a game there since 2015. He always has been a strong defender at third (18 career defensive runs saved).
Adam Duvall: — The right-handed hitter signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the potential of $3 million in performance bonuses. He belted 38 homers in 2021, 31 homers in 2017 and 33 homers in 2016.
The 34-year-old slashed .213/.276/.401/.677 with 12 homers, 16 doubles, one triple, 36 RBIs, 39 runs, 21 walks and 101 strikeouts in 86 games for the Braves last season. He missed significant time on the 60-day IL with a left wrist sprain.
Richard Bleier: Boston acquired the left-handed relief pitcher from the Marlins for Matt Barnes.
Bleier, who will turn 36 on April 16, has posted a 3.06 ERA in 308 career major league outings. He recorded a 3.55 ERA in 55 outings last year. He has AL East experience, pitching for the Yankees in 2016 and the Orioles from 2017-20.
Like Martin, he is a strike-thrower. He has averaged 1.5 walks per nine innings in his career. He throws a sinker, cutter, slider, changeup and four-seamer. His sinker averaged 89.8 mph last season, per Baseball Savant.
He ranked in the 90th percentile in barrel percentage (limiting hard contact) and the 94th percentile in walk rate (he walked just 10 batters) in 2022, according to Statcast.
Wyatt Mills: The Red Sox acquired the 28-year-old righty from the Royals for Jacob Wallace.
The 6-4, 214-pound sidearmer posted a 4.60 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and .243 batting average against in 29 ⅓ innings combined between the Mariners and Royals in 2022.
He throws a four-seam fastball, slider and sinker. His four-seam fastball averaged 91.8 mph, per Baseball Savant. He held opponents to a .167 batting average (6-for-36) when he threw it.
He’s much better against right-handed batters. He held them to a .203 batting average (14-for-69) while left-handed hitters went 12-for-38 (.316) against him.
Joely Rodríguez: The lefty was the first free agent the Red Sox signed this offseason. The 31-year-old from the Dominican Republic posted a 4.47 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 55 games. He averaged 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.6 walks.
His peripherals show he pitched better than his ERA indicates. He finished in the 96th percentile for average exit velocity against, 95th percentile for barrel percentage, 94th percentile for chase rate, 91st percentile in hard hit percentage and 84th percentile in expected slugging percentage, per Baseball Savant.
Other players to watch:
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.
Rafaela ranks No. 71 on Baseball America’s top 100 list. He led the Red Sox minor league system with 63 extra-base hits in 2022 and BA named him Boston’s minor league player of the year.
Valdez and Abreu are the two prospects acquired in the Christian Vázquez trade.
Non-roster invitees at camp:
Pitchers (10): Dan Altavilla, Taylor Broadway, Matt Dermody, Jake Faria, Durbin Feltman, Norwith Gudino, Oddanier Mosqueda, Victor Santos, Ryan Sherriff, Chase Shugart
Catchers (4): Jorge Alfaro, Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernández, Stephen Scott
Infielders (2): Christian Koss, Matthew Lugo
Outfielders (3): Greg Allen, Narciso Crook, Raimel Tapia
Infielder/Outfielders (3): Ryan Fitzgerald, Niko Goodrum, Nick Sogard
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 14, 2023 5:04:50 GMT -5
It’s hard to find a sense of spring renewal and hope regarding the Red Sox By Christopher L. Gasper Globe Staff,Updated February 13, 2023, 3:54 p.m.
The expectations for the 2023 Red Sox are like a limbo contest: How low can you go?
Crabby Sox fans, who showered principal owner John Henry and chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom with catcalls last month at the team’s usually feel-good fanfest, might be crab-walking at this point beneath the metaphorical bar set for Boston’s baseball team. That’s the result of an uninspiring offseason that was headlined more by who was subtracted (Xander Bogaerts) than who was wrapped up (Rafael Devers), and what was added to a last-place ball club.
At first glance, the roster around Raffy is stitched together with proprietary player projection, placeholders, unreliable options, and unproven prospects. As the Sox head south to prepare for the season, it’s a 1990s song by Go West that comes to mind: “King of Wishful Thinking.”
Spring training is supposed to represent a time of renewal and hope. We’re seeing the sun-soaked pictures and video from Fort Myers, Fla., full of renewed baseball activity. Manager Alex Cora and Bloom will address the media Tuesday. The first official workout for pitchers and catchers is Wednesday. But it’s doubt about the Sox that is springing eternal, not hope.
Post-1967, rarely have the Red Sox felt so written off as a franchise, so irrelevant, so seemingly rudderless, so out of sync with their fervent fan base. It’s not a fun way to start the 2023 Boston Baseball Experience. The Sox have the next eight months to change our minds or confirm our fears.
Winning is the ultimate deodorant. If somehow this patchwork roster with Kiké Hernández holding down shortstop, Adam Duvall in center field, and Chris Sale (remember him?) a key rotation cog channels the 2013 Red Sox — out-of-nowhere World Series winners — or even the 2021 Red Sox — a pleasant surprise that advanced to the American League Championship Series — all the preseason teeth-gnashing will be forgotten.
However, that feels unlikely. BetMGM places the Red Sox over/under for wins at 77.5. That’s not exactly going out on a limb for a 78-win, last-place team in 2022. But that over/under is the second-lowest in the AL East, above only the Baltimore Orioles (76.5).
Some of the Opening Day roster projections done by Sox writers in recent days have been downright depressing. The roster has a flimsy 4A feel to it, especially with Bogaerts’s presumptive replacement, Trevor Story, expected to be out until July following a procedure on his throwing elbow.
The catching situation is uncertain with Reese McGuire, Connor Wong, and Jorge Alfaro, who was signed to a minor league deal. Only the Red Sox think that Christian Arroyo, who has never played more than 87 games in a season, is capable of being an everyday second baseman. Multiple players will be out of position — Hernandez, who excels defensively in center field, Duvall, and the disappointing Alex Verdugo, who will shift to right field to make room for Japanese sensation Masataka Yoshida in left.
Yoshida was the biggest addition this offseason. The Sox will pay him $90 million over five years, plus a $15.4 million posting fee to his Japanese team, the Orix Buffaloes — or Brandon Nimmo money. It’s a bold move. It’s also one that was panned by some rival baseball executives as an overpay.
Either Bloom will be proven to be a heterodox hardball thinker or a tinkerer who is in over his head in his crusade for sustainability. Thus far, it has yielded two last-place finishes in three years and a tone-deaf self-congratulatory disposition in the Devers re-signing presser more befitting someone who had put a man on Mars, not simply re-signed the last homegrown star left by default.
I was in Bloom’s corner when the Sox brought him aboard. After last season, I wrote that they needed to give him more time to execute his plan. His offseason was underwhelming on paper. He invested most of his resources in buttressing the bullpen, bringing in a legitimate closer in Kenley Jansen.
What good is a closer if you don’t have leads to protect?
His “plan” feels like hurry up and wait for uber-prospect Marcelo Mayer and friends to get here in 2025 and field a Potemkin village of a team in the meantime.
The most shocking part about Bloom’s tenure so far is that instead of importing the ingenuity of the Tampa Bay Rays, he looks like an unimaginative ideologue, committed to building through the farm system at the expense of everything else. Like his results, that’s disappointing.
Bloom has tried to put a sunny spin on where the Sox are, telling fans, “You know what we have, and you know there is more coming,” and “We’re going to do this, and it’s going to be awesome. We are going to get there.”
There’s obviously excitement about some of the young players the Sox debuted last season, such as first baseman Triston Casas and righthander Brayan Bello, who will have key roles.
But for all the touting of the farm system, respected baseball evaluator Keith Law of The Athletic rated it the 23d-best in baseball. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel ranked it 14th, but that also placed the Sox with the fourth-best farm system in the five-team AL East, ahead of only the Blue Jays. McDaniel had the Orioles No. 1 overall. They look closer to Bloom’s sustainability pledge than the Sox.
Give Sox ownership and Henry (who also owns the Globe) credit for being patient and sticking to the plan. That takes guts and thick skin, the latter not a quality usually affixed to Sox ownership. We’ve criticized them before for being too capricious. They’re steadfast in their support of Bloom.
It’s just a question of whether this is the right plan for the Red Sox to be adamant about adhering to?
It doesn’t feel like it is, and you wonder just how much patience Henry & Co. have for being booed and watching their club’s brand — one with four World Series to its name this century — take body blow after body blow.
The old saw goes that of whom much is given much is expected. No fan base gives more emotionally or financially than the Fenway Faithful. But, honestly, not much is expected from the 2023 Sox.
Here’s hoping they prove us wrong.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 14, 2023 5:07:42 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Masataka Yoshida got a taste of American culture (and Puerto Rican food) at Alex Cora’s Super Bowl watch party By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated February 13, 2023, 7:36 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Masataka Yoshida came to America to play baseball for the Red Sox. But on Sunday night, he learned a few lessons about the culture, too.
Yoshida was one of the guests at a Super Bowl get together manager Alex Cora hosted along with Trevor Story, Kiké Hernández, third base coach Carlos Febles, and former Red Sox catcher Christian Vázquez.
The group dined on catered Puerto Rican food.
“It was good,” Hernández said Monday. “A lot of questions for Masa asking if he knew what a first down was and all that . . . It was good having him there as part of the group.”
Hernández said football required more explanation than the cuisine.
“Food is the universal language,” he said. “Everybody eats the same way. There’s a lot of rules in football.”
Yoshida arrived at Fenway South last week to get a head start on spring training. He will return to Japan early next month to practice for the World Baseball Classic.
Vázquez played eight seasons with the Red Sox before he was traded to the Astros in August. He signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Twins in December.
Minnesota also conducts spring training in Fort Myers.
“It was good catching up with him,” Hernández said. Balancing act
Hernández, who is slated to play shortstop, will play center field for Puerto Rico in the WBC.
He said the biggest challenge will be acclimating to center field for what will be a relatively short period of time.
“I think it’ll be harder for me to adjust on the fly to center field,” Hernández said. “I’ll still be taking my ground balls [at shortstop] during batting practice.”
Hernández does not plan to work in center field before he leaves to join Puerto Rico.
“My focus while I’m here is to the Red Sox,” he said.
Hernández and second baseman Christian Arroyo played only three games together in the middle infield last season. Cora plans to use them together as often as possible in spring training. On the mound
With Cora watching closely, Ryan Brasier threw a session of live batting practice. The hitters included catcher Reese McGuire . . . Righthander John Schreiber arrived at camp 15 pounds lighter than last season. He appeared in 64 games last season and threw 65 innings, most among the relievers. His first bullpen session will be this week . . . Infielder Bobby Dalbec and outfielder Alex Verdugo are among the early arriving position players.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 14, 2023 8:34:48 GMT -5
Red Sox spring training roster has 62 players, including 20 newcomers to team
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023, 6:12 a.m.|Published: Feb. 14, 2023, 6:10 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Tuesday marks an important day on the baseball calendar as Red Sox spring training officially opens with manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom holding formal media availabilities at Fenway South. Though not every player has reported to camp quite yet, a large group has arrived in southwest Florida ahead of the first full squad workout Monday.
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The Red Sox will have 62 players in camp — 40 on the major league roster and 22 non-roster invitees. That group includes a staggering 32 players who have not been in major league camp with the Red Sox before and 20 who joined the team since the end of last season.
Here’s a complete list, with links to stories MassLive has written about certain players on this year’s team.
BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
PITCHERS:
40-man roster (21): Brayan Bello, Richard Bleier*, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Kenley Jansen*, Zack Kelly, Corey Kluber*, Chris Martin*, Bryan Mata, Wyatt Mills*, Chris Murphy, Kaleb Ort, James Paxton, Nick Pivetta, Joely Rodríguez*, Chris Sale, John Schreiber, Brandon Walter, Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski
Non-roster invitees (10): Dan Altavilla, Taylor Broadway, Matt Dermody*, Jake Faria*, Durbin Feltman, Norwith Gudino*, Oddanier Mosqueda, Victor Santos, Ryan Sherriff*, Chase Shugart Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
CATCHERS:
40-man roster (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong
Non-roster invitees (4): Jorge Alfaro*, Caleb Hamilton*, Ronaldo Hernández, Stephen Scott
INFIELDERS:
40-man roster (7): Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, David Hamilton, Adalberto Mondesi*, Trevor Story, Justin Turner*
Non-roster invitees (2): Christian Koss, Matthew Lugo
OUTFIELDERS:
40-man roster (6): Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Adam Duvall*, Rob Refsnyder, Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida*
Non-roster invitees (3): Greg Allen*, Narciso Crook*, Raimel Tapia*
INFIELDERS/OUTFIELDERS:
40-man roster (4): Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, Ceddanne Rafaela, Enmanuel Valdez
Non-roster invitees (3): Ryan Fitzgerald, Niko Goodrum*, Nick Sogard
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Feb 14, 2023 8:36:09 GMT -5
Red Sox roster projection includes Nick Pivetta in surprise role, Bobby Dalbec on team
Updated: Feb. 14, 2023, 7:52 a.m.|Published: Feb. 14, 2023, 6:20 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Fenway South is beginning to buzz as Red Sox players start reporting to camp, signaling the beginning of the 2023 season. While pitchers and catchers won’t hold their first formal workout until Wednesday, Tuesday marks an important day on the calendar as manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will hold their first media availabilities of spring training.
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Over the next 6+ weeks, the Sox will be tasked with determining which 26-man group will take the field on March 30 when Boston hosts the Orioles on Opening Day. Things are bound to change significantly before then, but for now, here’s our first stab at the club’s 2023 Opening Day roster:
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STARTING PITCHERS (5): LHP Chris Sale, RHP Corey Kluber, RHP Garrett Whitlock, RHP Brayan Bello, LHP James Paxton
ANALYSIS: The Red Sox will enter camp with seven ready-made rotation options — Sale, Kluber, Whitlock, Bello, Paxton, Nick Pivetta and Tanner Houck — and will have to decide on which five to carry in their Opening Day rotation. Health will play a big role, especially considering the recent injury histories of Sale, Kluber, Whitlock, Paxton and Houck; the Sox stretched all seven pitchers out so that they are all ready to start in case one or two isn’t ready to go by Opening Day. As of now, all seven are full-go. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
It’s clear Sale, Kluber and Whitlock are locked into rotation spots, and a six-man rotation is very unlikely, so the Red Sox will decide between Bello, Paxton, Pivetta and Houck if everyone is healthy at the end of the March. Reading between the lines, it might be Bello and Paxton who have the inside track as camp opens. Last month, Cora said Bello has a “good chance” of locking up a rotation spot. Bloom recently poured cold water on the idea of Paxton, who has barely pitched in three seasons, coming out of the bullpen for the first time in his career. The preference appears to be to keep both pitchers in the rotation, which would leave Pivetta and Houck as the odd men out. Houck has pitched admirably in relief before while Pivetta, who led the team in starts and innings in 2022, could be used as a swingman or long reliever.
Behind the top seven starters is an impressive group of young arms who may contribute in 2023. Kutter Crawford leads a pack that also includes Josh Winckowski and intriguing prospects Bryan Mata, Chris Murphy and Brandon Walter, who are all on the 40-man roster. Journeymen Jake Faria and Matt Dermody are in camp as non-roster invitees along with Victor Santos.
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RELIEF PITCHERS (8): RHP Kenley Jansen, RHP Chris Martin, RHP John Schreiber, RHP Tanner Houck, LHP Joely Rodríguez, LHP Richard Bleier, RHP Ryan Brasier, RHP Nick Pivetta
ANALYSIS: The bullpen is the area of the roster that has undergone the most change since the end of last season... and might just be the one with the fewest question marks heading into Opening Day. Jansen, Martin, Schreiber, Rodríguez and Bleier are all locks and Brasier has survived a roster crunch all winter and is very likely to make the team.
That leaves two open spots which might be occupied with whoever doesn’t crack the rotation. Houck seems destined for the bullpen at this point and, as outlined above, Pivetta makes sense as a long relief option. If something happens that causes the group to be reshuffled, Crawford (as a long man) and righty Zack Kelly seem to be the two most likely options to make the team.
Behind that group is a stable that includes 40-man righties Wyatt Mills and Kaleb Ort, who both have options, and non-roster invitees Dan Altavilla, Oddanier Mosqueda, Durbin Feltman and Ryan Sherriff. Altavilla might be a dark horse to make the team after signing a two-year minor-league contract a year ago spending 2022 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
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CATCHERS (2): C Reese McGuire, C Jorge Alfaro
ANALYSIS: Boston did not add a catcher to its major league roster during the winter, meaning the club will enter camp with McGuire and Connor Wong as the only backstops on the 40-man roster. McGuire seems locked in as the primary guy. Then there will be a competition between Wong and Alfaro for the right-handed half of the platoon.
That nod could truly go either way. Wong is on the 40-man roster and has options while Alfaro would need to be added to the roster, then would have to pass through waivers to remain in the organization if the Sox wanted to send him down. Alfaro (478 games) is much more experienced than Wong (33). It’s a guessing game but the Sox might just opt for certainty and go with Alfaro, who signed a minor league deal in January.
Caleb Hamilton, Ronaldo Hernández and Stephen Scott are all in camp as non-roster options.
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INFIELDERS (7): 1B Triston Casas, 2B Christian Arroyo, SS Kiké Hernández, 3B Rafael Devers, 1B Bobby Dalbec, INF/OF Niko Goodrum, INF/DH Justin Turner
INJURED LIST (2): 2B/SS Trevor Story, 2B/SS Adalberto Mondesí
ANALYSIS: The infield mix comes with a lot of questions after Xander Bogaerts signed with the Padres and Story had elbow surgery that will keep him sidelined for much of the season. Devers is obviously the third baseman, Hernández is primed to take over at shortstop and Casas has been handed the keys to first base. Arroyo will make the team, likely as the primary second baseman. Turner will too, as the primary designated hitter who can also fill in at third base or as a right-handed complement to Casas.
If healthy, Mondesí will make the team and likely split second base with Arroyo. But it’s possible Mondesí's ACL is not fully healed, putting Opening Day in question. The guess here is the Red Sox will be careful with him and not rush him to be ready for March 30. That would leave an open roster spot for someone like Goodrum, a versatile veteran who signed a non-roster deal, to steal for the first couple weeks of the season. Dalbec seemed like a prime trade candidate all winter but now projects for a spot as a right-handed bench bat.
It’s also possible the Red Sox get creative here and give a roster spot to a rookie who earns it with a good spring. Infield prospects Enmanuel Valdez and Matthew Lugo probably aren’t ready but someone like David Hamilton, Ryan Fitzgerald or Christian Koss could make a push. Again, Mondesí's health will determine what the Red Sox do in the infield.
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OUTFIELDERS (4): LF Masataka Yoshida, CF Adam Duvall, RF Alex Verdugo, OF Rob Refsnyder
ANALYSIS: The starting outfield is set in stone with Yoshida in left field, Duvall in center and Verdugo in right, assuming everyone is healthy. Refsnyder is back as a lefty-mashing fourth outfielder who should get plenty of chances to play the corners against southpaws in place of Yoshida and Verdugo.
Beyond that group is a deep stable of options for a Red Sox team that clearly prioritized adding outfield depth this winter. Jarren Duran and free agent addition Raimel Tapia are ready-made fill-ins who could push for an Opening Day roster spot over someone like Dalbec if the Sox feel covered enough in the infield. Non-roster guys Goodrum, Greg Allen and Narciso Crook have spent time in the majors as well. Top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela is a ways away, as is fellow outfielder Wilyer Abreu.
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