Spring Training Predictions

As  I write this post, we are 15 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Fort Myers, FL. With some uncertainty throughout the pitching staff, and the bench roles needing to be clarified, I decided to make my predictions about who will make the Major League roster when the final cuts are made in on April 4th.

Let’s get warmed-up with how the opening day roster will break out. The Sox will carry 13 batters. Nine will be starters (including DH) and 4 will be bench/role players. That leaves 12 slots for pitchers. Despite the rumors about a 6-man rotation, the Sox will carry 5 starters and 7 relievers. Now to the players…

After reviewing the Red Sox position players, there isn’t much to predict. The 9 starters (including DH) are all set barring injuries, which leaves 4 bench spots. Jason Varitek has locked up the back-up catcher role and Jeremy Hermida is most certainly the 4th outfielder, leaving 2 remaining spots. One must be an infielder, preferably versatile, which is Bill Hall’s strength. The final bench spot will go to Jed Lowrie, who will, like last year, have a strong Spring Training.

The starting rotation is as strong as ever, with 6 legitimate starters fighting for 5 slots. Beckett, Lester and Lackey are locked up at the top of the rotation, leaving Dice-K, Buchholz and Wakefield to battle for the 2 remaining slots. Dice-K will fit into the 4th starter spot and Buchholz will round out the rotation. Theo will politely ask Wakefield to pitch from the bullpen and, despite previous comments, he will oblige.

Now, the most difficult prediction, the bullpen. There are 7 relief roles available and at least 4 already locked up. Jonathan Papelbon will close with Daniel Bard and Hideki Okajima as set-up men. When you throw in Wakefield, as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, there are 3 remaining slots. Manny Delcarmen has earned the right to be at least a middle reliever, taking the 5th spot, leaving a difficult decision about you will occupy the remaining two ‘pen seats.

Realistically, there are 5 guys vying for those roles, 4 of which were new additions this offseason. Brian Shouse, Boof Bonser, Ramon A. Ramirez, Ramon Ramirez, and Joe Nelson are  all possible candidates. Ultimately, Ramon Ramirez (the one who pitched for the Sox last season) will provide some solid middle-relief and Brian Shouse will grab the last spot filling the role of a lefty specialist that the Sox love to have.

As you may have noticed, a few of the predictions were based on unwritten assumptions. The first assumption is that Mike Lowell will not break Spring Training with the Red Sox, because he will have already been traded. The second assumption is that the Red Sox will opt to keep the 6th starter, Wakefield in this case, on as a reliever. If Wakefield refuses to move to the ‘pen, we may see a different look, with Buchholz moving to AAA and the addition of another reliever.

A lot can transpire in Spring Training, so I look forward to revisiting my predictions closer to April. If all Spring Training invitees are healthy, there should be some intense competition leading up to opening day against the Yankees.