Boston Red Sox spring training worry list of players to watch
By Rick McNair
David Price is a given based on his off and on again elbow issues in 2017. Will Price be the pitcher who routinely gave you 30+ starts and 200+ innings? If spring shows a continuation of “issues” the Red Sox may be looking at a Grand Canyon hole in their rotation for 2018.
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Is Andrew Benintendi on the path to be a superstar? Benintendi bulked up in the off-season and has expressed a desire to boost upwards his 20 home runs of 2017. The Red Sox need power and a Benintendi long ball parade on the spring may show that.
And speaking of home runs is Rick Porcello going to be giving up gopher balls this spring? After leading the American League in home runs allowed (38) last season than balls flying off the lot in his appearances will not be a positive sign.
Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg have the capability to make a very good bullpen into an excellent one. Smith appears back based on last September, but Thornburg is a huge piece of unknown. With the potential of loss of innings in the rotation, the bullpen takes on that most important of roles. Thornburg’s recovery is on my watch list.
Next: Andrew Benintendi is poised for a monster year
Last is the saga of Hanley Ramirez who has lost some weight and dedicated himself to a new training regimen. At 34-years-old and on the cusp of triggering a $22 MM option the incentive is certainly there but is the ability? Spring will show some insight into what the regular season may hold.