The way too early 2019 Boston Red Sox Opening Day lineup
The Red Sox set the baseball world on fire during the 2018 season. With 2019 right around the corner, I take a look at how I think the lineup may look.
The 2018 season is over and 2019 is just around the corner. The Boston Red Sox are going to have the target on their backs as they try to defend their newly won championship. For the most part, the team that raised the Commissioner’s Trophy will remain intact, but some faces will change.
We’re just a few weeks removed from the Red Sox winning the World Series, but as we all know, the season never ends. As soon as the parades are down the teams get right back to work on the next season. The Red Sox will be able to retain a majority of their 2018 lineup which is a relief for fans the world over.
The chemistry and passion of this team are what allowed them to reach the heights that they did. Being able to carry that momentum and love of the game into the next season will give them an advantage. We do have some free agent pieces on the board that could change the complexion of our squad but not break up the family entirely.
With that said, I’m going to try and predict what the Opening Day lineup will look like for the Sox.
Steve Pearce
When it comes to Steve Pearce I feel like I could not only talk forever about him and still not have enough words. He may very be one of the best trade window pickups in years. Pearce is a guy that has played all over the AL East during his career before finally landing with his childhood favorite Red Sox.
I didn’t know much about Pearce beyond his journeyman status when he first arrived in Boston. Then he hit the cover off the ball against the Yankees and I bought in completely. I jokingly text messaged a friend that I was going to order us all Pearce jerseys after his multi-homer game against New York.
Pearce would more than back up that hot start by being the rock of our playoff push. More often than not when we needed someone to step up, Pearce was there. Whether it be with the bat or by making a great defensive play at first, he was the constant.
Pearce would be rewarded for his performance this postseason by being named World Series MVP. Pearce also earned a new 1-year/$6.25 million deal. He’s the easy choice for me to be our starting first baseman for 2019.
Brock Holt
Brock Holt has been with the team since 2013 and has been one of the most reliable pieces to our puzzle. On any given day, Holt could be playing any position on the field. To date, the only positions he hasn’t played are catcher and pitcher, but I’m sure he’d jump at it if asked. He is the ultimate utility man and has the exact mentality this team needs to succeed.
Holt would benefit from being upgraded from utility player to everyday second baseman. Getting more frequent reps in the field and at the plate could only mean good things for Brock. He is the type of player that isn’t afraid to get his jersey dirty on a daily basis.
Holt reminds me former everyday second baseman, Dustin Pedroia. He’s that guy that will do everything in his power to make the play or get the hit when the lights are shining the brightest.
With Pedroia possibly being healthy going into the 2019 season, I’d love for them to be a dynamic duo of sorts at second. I could see a battle for the position during spring training but I also feel that Dustin would do what is best for the team and could love being that dynamo off the bench.
Xander Bogaerts
The Red Sox drafted Xander Bogaerts back in 2009 and he has been a force since. He made his debut for the main club in 2013 and would be a part of that year’s World Series squad. He played a big part not only on the field but with his bat as well. I lost count this season of how many times X-Man made a great play from shortstop.
Bogey doesn’t get the attention that some of his counterparts do but he is definitely deserving. He’s another one of those guys that will walk off the field at the end of the night covered in dirt. He is a part of this young core that makes up the heart and soul of this team and exemplifies Alex Cora’s message.
After his performance in the postseason, I can see 2019 being a big year for Xander. It really feels like whenever he is on the field he could walk away with a new highlight for the reel. Bogaerts just completed his sixth season with the Red Sox and it’s hard to believe he’s only 26 years old. Xander has a high ceiling and a great career still in front of him.
Rafael Devers
This kid is going to be a star, it’s as simple as that. If you weren’t told his age, you’d have no idea that Rafael Devers was only 22-years old. He shows absolutely zero fear in the or when he’s in the batter’s box. On the biggest stage, this postseason Devers didn’t flinch once and came through big for the Red Sox.
During the 2018 season, he split shifts at third with Eduardo Nunez. Though Nunez proved reliable and consistent there were times where he faltered and that opened the door for Devers. Whenever he was given a chance to make an impression he did exactly that.
The Red Sox will go into 2019 with both men but I could see Devers getting the lion’s share of the playing time. With his dynamic defensive abilities and fearlessness at the plate, Devers has some serious potential for 2019.
Nunez more than earned his spot this year and I’ll gladly cheer him on next season. I think the big difference is going to be the age gap between the two (10 years), and raw ability. But with both on the roster, I have zero worries at third base for the first time since Kevin Youkilis.
Sandy Leon
This was easily the toughest decision I had to make while writing this. The Red Sox have two very strong players at the catcher position in Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez. Both had similar numbers offensively with Leon (.177/5HR/22RBI) and Vazquez (2.07/3HR/16RBI) being almost identical. So then I had to look at some other factors to make my decision.
Leon played in more games this season (89) compared to Vazquez (80), which granted isn’t a huge margin but it still means something. That’s nine more games that Leon was able to be on the field and contribute to the team.
The factor that led me to Leon over Vazquez is his ability to work with the pitchers. He seemed as if he was the pitcher whisperer this season. Whenever some seemed as if they were slipping or getting into trouble, more often than not he could calm them down.
Leon reminded me of legendary Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek in that he owns his pitching staff. He knows their strengths, their weaknesses and how to best use their abilities to allow the team to succeed. He may not put up the greatest offensive numbers, but he is more valuable for what he does behind the plate and in the film room.
Andrew Benintendi LF/ Jackie Bradkley Jr. CF/ Mookie Betts RF
Where catcher was the hardest position for me to make a decision on this was the easiest. These three together have formed one of the most dominant outfields in the game today. If they don’t beat you offensively, they will with their defense. Unfortunately for the rest of the league, they tend to get you on both sides of the game most nights.
Andrew Benintendi just completed his third season with the Red Sox and I’d say it was a successful one. Not just because of the World Series championship, but he became a force to be reckoned with in the outfield. Benintendi offered up one of the highest fielding percentages in the league. If you wanted to challenge the arm of Benintendi, more often than not you lost.
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Jackie Bradley Jr. was a bit of a wildcard coming into the season. He had shown potential in seasons past but trade rumors swirled during the offseason that centered on Bradley being sent away from Boston. I for one was worried that hearing he may be shopped around the league could kill his confidence. I feel like it did the opposite. Yes, his offense this season was poor for the first half, but he picked it up huge and was named ALCS MVP.
Mookie Betts, where do I even begin? The reigning and defending American League MVP is set to enter a contract year in 2019. He won’t be a free agent until 2021 but arbitration proceedings can begin after the 2019 season. If you think he went off in 2018, just wait until he’s starting to play for those big paydays. I think it should be of the utmost importance to sign Mookie to an extension and pay the man. Betts has more than earned a big contract from the Red Sox based on his time in Boston.
Red Sox say good-bye to 2018 and hello to 2019
The 2018 season for the Boston Red Sox will be one to remember not only for the organization but for fans the world over. This was an incredibly special team that banded together and chased history from day one. With the Commissioner’s Trophy safely secured at Fenway Park, it’s time to get back to work.
There may not necessarily be an urgency to make our team better as it’s hard to argue with a 108-54 regular season record. Not to mention the 11-3 dominant run through the playoffs. But the target will be placed firmly on the backs of the Red Sox.
With the Yankees, Dodgers, and Astros all looking to get better to avenge their postseason losses. Dombrowski will have his hands full not only with our squad but by trying to keep pace with the other organizations.
Next. Red Sox Report Cards: Nathan Eovaldi. dark
In just a few short weeks, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski will head to the Winter Meetings with one thing in mind, repeat. With a majority of the core players of the 2018 squad still intact, he will look to add where he feels necessary and build upon this great foundation. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be frantically updating your browsers when the meetings kick off.