Here are 5 questions that can want solutions throughout the last countdown:
1. Can they discover a taker for Masataka Yoshida?
Maybe Yoshida’s standout performance in the World Baseball Classic ups his commerce worth.
“I don’t know about trade value,” supervisor Alex Cora mentioned. “He’s a good hitter, right?”
Cora has talked up Yoshida lots, however the actuality stays: Yoshida is an awkward-at-best match for this roster, with no path to common at-bats barring an damage or two (or a entrance workplace about-face resulting in a commerce of Jarren Duran).
There is a state of affairs in which Yoshida stays with the Red Sox and is beneficial as a pinch hitter/occasional DH. But if a membership is prepared to take on even, say, a 3rd of his remaining $36 million over two years, it might work out for each events. Yoshida would get extra of a possibility, and the Red Sox might unlock that roster spot for, for instance, the Team USA-torching Nate Eaton, a possible bench weapon.
The Braves, who lost Jurickson Profar for the year due to his second performance-enhancing drug suspension, come to thoughts as a crew that wants a DH.
2. Who will probably be the backup catcher?
Entering spring coaching, the Red Sox had little roster-related intrigue. With most of camp full, that is still the case.
A testomony to that tranquility: Backup catcher is perhaps the largest probability for an upset.
Connor Wong is the incumbent No. 2, however he struggled considerably at the plate final yr, and that has continued in Grapefruit League play. Matt Thaiss, in the meantime, has “been catching our eye,” Cora famous lately. Other Sox decision-makers have expressed related.
If the Red Sox need to make that swap, they’re free to. Wong will be optioned to the minors. Thaiss will be put on the main league roster (and has an upward-mobility clause that makes him accessible to different groups if the Red Sox don’t need to add him).
It could be a surefire solution to bolster the group’s catcher depth, since Wong could be prepared and ready when the Sox have to name up somebody. In the meantime, he would work with the pitching prospects in Triple A, which is not any small position.
3. Who will exchange Romy Gonzalez?
Gonzalez’s left shoulder injury — and potential surgical procedure that may sideline him for months — creates a noteworthy opening. The Red Sox ought to have a greater concept this week how lengthy he will probably be out.
Defensively expert Andruw Monasterio discovered success towards lefthanded pitchers whereas with the Brewers final yr, and he has drawn constant reward from Cora in latest weeks. Utilityman Nick Sogard is the different infield-centric choice.
The different form of, type of roster questions just about have solutions. Sox officers are jazzed up about Johan Oviedo, so think about him nonetheless the favourite to snag the open spot in the rotation. They haven’t officially declared that Caleb Durbin will play third base (as against second), however Cora indicated this week that it is vitally probably. They haven’t assured Marcelo Mayer a spot, however he’s the apparent option to play second.
4. How will the bullpen shake out?
Cora estimated that the Red Sox have “two spots, maybe three” up for grabs for relievers, the most unstable place group in the sport.
Working backward: Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock will deal with the late innings, and Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert additionally return. That is 4 relievers out of eight whole.
Pencil in Zack Kelly, 5. Lefthander Jovani Morán, who in all probability however not positively will stick round (and who can’t be optioned to the minors), makes six.
Cora introduced a large discipline for the final two slots.
The Sox must resolve on Ryan Watson, a Rule 5 choose who will probably be in the majors or provided again to the Giants. Cora talked about righthander Kyle Keller, who spent the previous 4 seasons in Japan however is again stateside on a minor league deal; lefthander Tyler Samaniego, who hasn’t pitched above Double A; righthander Noah Song, the Navy reservist; righthander Tayron Guerrero, who at 35 has by no means discovered success in the majors however throws 100 miles per hour; and righthander Seth Martinez, who “understands the job,” Cora mentioned, of inglorious multi-inning mopup man.
The wild card: different golf equipment’ fringe arms who grow to be accessible close to the finish of spring coaching. The final opening or two could effectively go to somebody(s) not at the moment in the group.
It’s a motley crew — and an interesting group in the context of the Red Sox not buying any established relievers over the offseason. Keep in thoughts that no matter it seems like on Day One, the bullpen crew will probably be topic to frequent change.
“We’ve just got to stay healthy, and other guys have to step up,” Cora mentioned. “That’s the reality of it.”
5. Can the Red Sox keep this wholesome?
(Please keep in mind throughout this maybe dangerous little acknowledgment that jinxes will not be actual.)
The Red Sox have remained remarkably wholesome, a credit score to the gamers as effectively as the medical/coaching employees, plus a bit of excellent fortune. Only one member of the authentic projected Opening Day roster is injured: Gonzalez, whose shoulder drawback originated in September and isn’t one thing that popped up throughout camp.
Other than that, the Sox are principally batting 1.000. The outfield remains to be surplus-y. The rotation is full (and so is Worcester’s). The infield is entire and, it appears, defensively succesful. None of the 13 members of the 40-man roster in the WBC have give you any points.
Ask any baseball particular person what she or he is in search of at the moment of yr, and inevitably at the prime of the checklist is: Escape spring coaching wholesome. So far, the Sox are having a banner season.
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The Red Sox introduced Wednesday that they agreed to one-year contracts with 20 gamers who’ve fewer than three years in the majors, an ordinary course of that occurs yearly round this time. The group consists of Wilyer Abreu, Durbin, Carlos Narváez, and Mayer. None had negotiating leverage and all will make the minimal wage ($780,000) or barely extra.
Boston Globe Sports Report: Episode 19
Tim Healey will be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.
