Red Sox 5 Spring Training questions
The BoSox Injection staff got together to discuss five key questions facing the Boston Red Sox as they enter spring training.
Spring is just around the corner, although you may be questioning your calendar on that given the frigid temperatures that the New England area endured this past weekend. That’s not the only thing we’ll be questioning, as the Boston Red Sox roster assembles in Fort Myers to prepare to ramp up spring training activities.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has done a masterful job of piecing together talent to address the team’s most significant weak spots this offseason. The Red Sox now have an ace anchoring their rotation and a new closer to slam the door shut in the 9th inning. With a deeper bullpen, stronger bench and the continued improvement of the core young players on the roster, Boston is primed to bounce back to contender status this season.
The 25-man roster is mostly set already, with few holes left to fill, but that doesn’t mean the team has everything figured out quite yet. Not everything is set in stone, but training camp will help get us there by Opening Day. The BoSox Injection staff got together to discuss a few of the more pressing questions facing this team as they enter spring training.
You want answers? Well you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got plenty of opinions for you right here. Come take a look at what our staff thinks about five key questions facing the Red Sox this spring.
Next: Hanley or Pablo?
Who has more to prove this season – Hanley Ramirez or Pablo Sandoval?
Sean Penney: Both of these veterans clearly have a lot to prove in order to live up the lucrative contracts they were given last year. It’s safe to say that Ramirez will hit as long as he’s healthy, based on what we saw last April. Aside from staying on the field, what he needs to prove most is that he can adapt to first base after failing miserably in left field last year, in part due to a lack of effort learning a new position. Sandoval improved at the hot corner late last season and should continue that trend if he can keep his weight in check, but his bat has been trending in the wrong direction for years and there are serious questions about if the former switch-hitter should end up in a platoon that sees him hit the bench against lefties. Ramirez has more to prove given that he’s learning a new position, but he also comes with more upside.
Jorge Camargo: The difference between Ramirez and Sandoval is that the third baseman has a history of winning and being a clutch hitter in the regular season and postseason. He is a bounce-back candidate because of his past with the Giants and three World Series rings, while Ramirez has always been an underachiever. This year he has to prove that he is worth the money the Red Sox are paying for him, or we may have another disaster like Carl Crawford on our hands.
Drew Peabody: Panda has more to prove since he was subpar on both sides of the ball. Hanley at least performed at the plate when healthy. Sandoval got better in the field but he has to be more consistent, especially in clutch situations.
Samantha Riley: Sandoval has more to prove this season. Even though Sandoval is younger than Ramirez, Sandoval is the one playing like the aging veteran. This should be the prime of his career. He also needs to prove that he is an upstanding ballplayer off the field by keeping his weight under control, dedicating himself to conditioning, and not Instagramming during games in order to win back the favor of the fans. Ultimately, he needs to prove that he actually cares as well as proving that he is a good baseball player.
Brandon Nickel: Ramirez – Defensively, Ramirez needs to be able to handle first base, his third position in two years. If he can hang on and not be a liability there, then they can keep him in the lineup this season. It’s not like they are going to take David Ortiz out of the designated hitter role just to keep Han-Ram’s bat, which also needs to prove itself to be more consistent. Sandoval isn’t incredible on defense but was never expected to be amazing there. He was a bat that could not be a joke at the hot corner. He was last season, but if he shows any competency then Red Sox Nation will look more at Hanley.
Next: Wright or Layne?
Steven Wright and Tommy Layne are both out of options to be sent to Pawtucket. Will either make the Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen or are they at risk of being DFA’d?
Max Sandgrund: These two are not competing for a spot and Layne has a much easier road to the final roster than Wright. The competition to be the second lefty in the bullpen, alongside Robbie Ross, is scarce and Layne held left-handed batters to a .148 BA last season, i.e. perfect specialist. As for Wright, he will be battling with Matt Barnes for that final spot. Given the fact Dombrowski likes hard-throwers, it should be Barnes who gets it.
Jorge: Wright can make the roster as a long reliever since he was successful at it last season. On the other hand, Layne is a lefty specialist. Last year opponents posted a .144 batting average when hitting from the left side, when hitting from the right side they had a .344 avg. Because of this both of them will make the roster, but one will be gone by the trade deadline.
Drew: You have to go with Layne, who is death on lefties (.455 career OPS against). With the depth that the Red Sox have in the bullpen this year he would be more of a specialist than ever.
Samantha: If both Layne and Wright perform consistently during spring training and there are no other breakout star relievers (*cough* Carlos Marmol), I could see both of them making the Opening Day roster. Since both are out of options and there are some other relievers who still have options, perhaps the Red Sox will give these two a chance to prove their stuff once again in the big leagues in 2016. Although, they will definitely be on short leashes. If I only had to choose one, I would have to go with Wright because of his versatility as both a reliever and a starting pitcher. These types of pitchers do come in handy from time to time, especially if the starting rotation is not performing well due to minor injuries or consecutive poor outings.
Brandon: Wright has a better chance than Tommy Layne, especially if the Red Sox do pick up another lefty reliever. Wright’s pitches are unique to the team, making him an option to throw hitters off of their game before they can get a bead on the ball. Wright’s time as a starter also means that he can be extended if needed, compared to Layne. Both are at risk if the starters get on track, especially early on.
Sean: The lack of minor league options will play a role in this decision. The unfortunate aspect of front office politics is that even if another pitcher outshines these two this spring, that breakout performer may be left off the roster if the Red Sox determine that Wright and Layne are too valuable to designate for assignment. Each brings a unique skill set to the table – Wright with his versatility to pitch in long relief and step into the rotation for spot starts if needed, while Layne can be a dominant lefty specialist. Both should make the Opening Day roster to avoid losing them, which could cost someone like Barnes a spot.
Next: Kelly or Owens?
Who gets the No. 5 spot in the rotation – Joe Kelly, Henry Owens or someone else?
Max: Kelly. The Red Sox have to decide once and for all if he is a starter or reliever and they are not going to do that with him down in Triple-A. Plus, they will at least want to see if he can carry over the way he finished last season, when he went 8-0 with a 3.00 era in 51 innings over his final 9 starts. Owens showed late last season how much he has left to work on, but he will likely be the sixth man for the rotation.
Jorge: After his strong push at the end of last season, Kelly deserves the benefit of the doubt, at least on a short leash. Owens could also benefit from more seasoning in Triple-A, and if and when Kelly goes down, he can step in.
Drew: Kelly steps up here to take that starting spot building on last year’s second half.
Samantha: Kelley gets the No. 5 spot because of the success he found in the second half of the 2015 season. If he shows the same consistency this spring, then Kelley deserves that spot.
Brandon: Kelly will get the spot before Owens, based on the second half of last season. The Red Sox must find out if Kelly’s 8-0 was a flash in the pan or the sign of possible greatness. Owens is even younger and needs time to develop, compared to Kelly, so the Red Sox won’t feel like they’re missing out too much. Owens could find himself in the pen if Kelly gets hot again. By the All-Star Break, depending on their individual performances, Owens could be trade bait if Boston is heading in the right direction or kept as insurance for the dog days of summer.
Sean: Looks like we are all in agreement that it will be Kelly at the back end of the rotation, at least to start the season. If for no other reason than to see if he can build off of last year’s strong finish or if his performance down the stretch was all smoke and mirrors. Owens has more upside in the long term, but could use more time in Pawtucket to work on his consistency. We’ll likely see him in Boston at some point, whether it be as an injury replacement or if Kelly reverts to what we saw in the first half of last season. You can never have too much pitching depth and the Red Sox are blessed with a deep stable of options. Owens should be the next man up if the Red Sox need another starter, but Wright could be called upon if he makes the roster as a long reliever to avoid making a roster move. Also, don’t count out Brian Johnson barging into the picture if he can recapture his pre-injury form.
Next: Prospects
Which prospect invited to camp are you most looking forward to seeing this spring?
Max: Pat Light. The hard-throwing right-hander is one of the few pitchers in the organization who can top 100 MPH on the radar gun. Although he had an up-and-down season across Portland (AA) and Pawtucket (AAA) last year, it was his first as a relief pitcher. His swing-and-miss stuff is undeniable and there are reports he may have been tipping pitches, which they have since fixed. He may be a dark horse candidate to beat out Barnes and Wright for the final spot in the bullpen.
Drew: I would like to see if Brennan Boesch can regain his 2010-12 form when he was hitting 10+ homers and 20+ doubles in 500 plate appearances a year for the Tigers. We are always looking for this year’s Mike Carp.
Samantha: If Josh Rutledge can find the same power at the plate that he possessed in 2012 and 2014, he could have some fun at-bats this spring. Additionally, he is only 26-years-old, so there could be some untapped potential there.
Brandon: If Andrew Benintendi comes to camp, he might make some of the Red Sox brass drool with his potential. Instead of worrying whether Jackie Bradley Jr. or Rusney Castillo can play defense and offense at the same time, Benintendi could make them think 2017 is the Year of Andrew.
Sean: 20-year old Yoan Moncada’s timetable doesn’t project him to make it to the big leagues in 2016, but you have to be enticed by his talent. He showed up to camp with a sculpted physique that leaves us to wonder if he may not be that far off from Fenway after all, which seems preposterous for a player his age that has a mere 71 games of Class A ball under his belt. He has superstar upside that may not blossom for a few more years, but if he continues to impress in camp then don’t be surprised if he flies through the system.
Next: Vazquez or Hanigan?
Blake Swihart will be the primary catcher this season, but what happens to Ryan Hanigan if Christian Vazquez proves he’s 100 percent by the end of spring?
Max: Hanigan must be kept around, if healthy. The last thing Vazquez needs to do this season is sit on the bench more than he plays, which is what would happen if he ever came up at the same time Swihart was healthy. The best thing for Vazquez is to go to Pawtucket and get more game reps at and behind the plate. His best chance of being called up in 2016 may be a position switch for Swihart.
Drew: Vazquez should start the season in Pawtucket. He needs game seasoning before he plays again in the majors. If he excels there, Hanigan would be a valuable trade piece by mid-season in the last year of his deal.
Samantha: The Red Sox should bring Vazquez along slowly by starting him in Triple-A, at least for the beginning of the 2016 season. Even though it is reported that he will be 100 percent by spring camp, it is never 100 percent certain how players recovering from Tommy John surgery will fair once back and playing in real games that matter. A cautious approach is always the best approach especially if there is not a desperate need for him at the start of the season. Additionally, this would allow the Sox to use Ryan Hanigan as a trade piece mid-season to fill any needs they may have if the team is in post-season contention at that point.
Brandon: Hanigan is a trade candidate, but so is Vazquez. If Vazquez can’t supplant Swihart as the starter, Vazquez’s youth makes him more valuable to trade, as other teams would not have a young solid catcher like him on their team. They would see him as a starter, while Hanigan is a nice starter for a desperate team with absolutely no starting catcher or insurance for a team with one, just like the Red Sox. Hanigan’s career screams backup, much like a great backup goalie or quarterback: you don’t want him to be the starter but you’re not scared to have him fill in from time to time.
Sean: A cautious approach is best in easing Vazquez back into the picture after missing the entire 2015 season. Even if he shows his rocket arm is back to gunning down runners on the base paths, he needs at-bats to get comfortable at the plate again. That’s never been a strong part of his game to begin with, so some more seasoning in Pawtucket wouldn’t hurt as long as the Red Sox are covered at the position at the big league level.
Next: Mea Culpa on Dave Dombrowski
Vazquez’s talent is too great to keep him buried on the organizational depth chart for long, so we’ll see him at some point this year. Perhaps this will make Hanigan expendable in a mid-season trade, but is it out of the question for the Red Sox to carry three catchers? It may be possible as long as Swihart can get some at bats at other positions, while the versatility on the bench from players like Brock Holt and Travis Shaw makes it easier to afford using a roster spot on a third catcher. It’s not an ideal long term solution, but if all three catchers are healthy and they struggle to find a trade partner then it may be an option to consider in order to get Vazquez’s elite defense on the roster.