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MLB Preview 2015: Boston Red Sox

  • Parker H.
  • Mar 15, 2015
  • 4 min read

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Boston Red Sox 2014 Record: 71-91

Team Overview:

The Red Sox were successful in flipping their season worst to first from 2012 to 2013, now they look to continue the trend after an ugly season in 2014 led to big acquisitions for 2015. The lineup is plentiful in depth and talent and one thing to watch for is how different the lineup is on a day-to-day basis as this team can throw out many different combinations. One constant should be one of the big acquisitions Pablo Sandoval on the hot corner. Sandoval just signed a big time deal and the team will rely on him to be an every day player. More consistency should be found in corner stones David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia. Ortiz just keeps hitting and I don’t know when he will stop. Pedroia has had two years riddled with injuries and while last year was a down year at the plate he still played high quality defense. Now comes the part of the team where they can make adjustments.

Cuban signee Rusney Castillo and Shane Victorino will look to play outfield every day. The team has Mookie Betts who spent most of his time tearing up AAA last year, and some time adjusting to the majors. He came up as a second baseman but with Pedroia that isn’t happening this year. If he wants to play it will be as the third outfielder. It won’t be handed to him as Hanley Ramirez was acquired as a free agent this off-season. Ramirez is a veteran and big time bat acquisition with a career .300 average. He now finds himself on the team that he started with and a friend he came up the system with (Pedroia). He has spent most of his time at Shortstop and Third, but Sandoval has third and the team has a young potential break out player in Xander Boegaerts manning short. With the infield filled all signs point to an understanding that Hanley came to play the outfield, probably left. Did I mention the team has a power left-handed bat in Allen Craig hoping to be a back up right fielder? And of course that isn’t a given, as that has been a spot reserved for Daniel Nava for the past two years. One of those two could battle for first base time. Of course that has been the every day position of Mike Napoli, who was a key piece in the 2013 World Series Run. To summarize there is talent and depth at every position and the flexibility is going to be fun to watch.

The team could be looking at these pieces and seeing what they can do to find a pitcher with some of them. The team started that process to get their projected opening day starter, Rick Porcello. He is what I would call a nice pitcher but they will rely on a collective effort, as I don’t see him as an ace type pitcher. The team also acquired Wade Miley who has shown flashes and also struggled almost from start to start. Those two appear to be the two that will need to carry the rotation as the rest have plenty of questions to them. Clay Bucholz seems to have lost his velocity and I am unsure he can just get it back. He will need to change his pitching style and it has been a rough process so far. They also have Justin Masterson and Joe Kelly to close out the rotation, which isn’t bad but both have some ironing out to do which isn’t exactly good when looking at the five as a whole. It is a good thing they have a great lineup because the rotation isn’t anything to write home about. It can’t be forgotten that they have a bull pen that can get them to October but it will interesting to see if an ace can emerge this season.

What To Watch For?

Two names inside the line up are whom I am watching for. Mookie Betts doesn’t have a position or lineup slot but I am waiting to see where he ends up. He breezed through AA, and AAA last season to get in 52 games as a second baseman, and outfielder. He managed to hit .291 and steal 7 bases in the MLB. If he performs in spring I think that he can take Victorinos’ job as a lead off hitter and as a starting outfielder. Having a veteran like Victorino coming off the bench not only spares his older legs but also gives them a nice boost as a pinch hitter and runner. Victorino also should be on the watch, with Allen Craig as a trade chips for a starting pitcher. The sox could add for today and wouldn’t lose much for tomorrow. Due to Betts age and upside, he may draw the biggest return in a trade. If the team feels it won’t compete without an ace like Cole Hamels they will have entertain the idea of rolling with the vets and sacrificing some of the future.

If Betts comes along Victorino would be the first to go because of the signing of Rusney Castillo. Castillo has all the hype of a talented defensive outfielder and one to hold his own at the plate. I don’t know exactly where he fits in lineup but I would guess he is the leader in the clubhouse to be the every day starting center fielder. He is a player to watch because the team invested long-term money in him, while Victorino, Craig, and Betts are not tied to any big contracts and all could be moved.

Where Do They Rank?

I can’t wait to see the plans unfold. Where does Betts play? Is Castillo the real deal? Can Pedroia stay healthy? Does Allen Craig find a job in a platoon with Napoli? Or does he play in the outfield? Just gets traded? Does Hanley play short to when Boegaerts has days off? It will be a daily follow. While the pitching has concerns and I have no clue how the team gels together, 2nd in the division may be high but at the same time, with all the upside I may be underestimating this team. I think that if they can add a name like Cole Hamels and not lose much in the lineup to do so this team will be the favorites by July.

 
 
 

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