On Day 1 of Spring Training, all is right in Red Sox Nation. The 2019 version of the Red Sox will bear a striking similarity to the 2018 team that won the World Series.
Every player is returning except for Ian Kinsler, Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel, who remains unsigned, but most likely gone. Other than re-signing Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce, the Red Sox off-season has been rather tame. No flashy signings or trades; and no drama.
The biggest question of the off-season has been who will or won’t be going to The White House. Will manager Alex Cora demand a sit-down with President Trump to discuss the plight of Puerto Rico?
Here are some questions facing the Sox heading towards Opening Day:
-
Is Chris Sale healthy?
Sale was lights out to start the season, and actually threw the last pitch of the 2018 season, but he was basically nonexistent in the second half. When healthy he’s one of the very best in either league, but he’s now in his age 30 season, and he has a history of faltering as the season wears on. He is in his walk year, and logic would say he’ll be fine, pitching for a contract. But, injuries are injuries, and fatigue is fatigue. His body is slight and he can’t help that. There are a ton of innings in that arm and one has to question just how much he’ll be able to pitch this year. I’d be shocked if he approaches 200 innings; 150 would be the goal; and most importantly, healthy for the postseason. If he gets over 12 wins I’d be surprised.
- Will Dustin Pedroia be healthy? He missed basically all of 2018. He just started running, coming back from knee surgery, and he’ll most likley not be ready for Opening Day. In his place, Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt stand to get the lionshare of playing time. Look for Holt to take on the old Ben Zobrist and Marwin Gonzalez role for the Sox this season.
- Who’s CLOSING? Early money says either Matt Barnes or Ryan Brasier. My money is on Brasier winning the job, if manager Cora decides to actually name a closer and not simply mix and match, including other arms out of the bullpen. They may even decide to shift Eduardo Rodriguez to the pen and use him as their Lefty Specialist, getting the occasional save. The team’s front four in the rotation is set, with Sale, Eovaldi, David Price, and Rick Porcello. Knuckleballer Steven Wright is better suited to be a starter than pitch in relief, which would force E-ROD to the Pen.
- Finally: Will they repeat? The Yankees are better, so simply winning the division will be tougher. Cleveland looks to be worse. Houston is still Houston, but they’ve lost Charlie Morton and most likely Dallas Kuechel. And will the A’s duplicate last season? Realistically the Sox should make the playoffs, and it will ultimitely come down to pitching. If Eovaldi and Price perform, and if Sale stays healthy; you’ve got to like their chances. This much is certain, their window with this group is closing fast, because after this year Steven Pearce, Mitch Moreland, Porcello, Sale, Xander Bogaerts, Holt, and Nunez are all free agents…and JD Martinez has an opt-out clause, which he most likely will excercize. PLAY BALL!