Red Sox Opening Day: 3 biggest strengths of the 2021 roster

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(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

The 2021 season is far from the most hyped up season from a Boston Red Sox fan’s standpoint in recent memory. With all of the changes that have happened over the last year or so, the ballclub has found itself at a bit of a crossroads.

Following the Mookie Betts deal, the Sox have now lost all three outfield members of the 2018 World Series champion roster, along with several other infield guys. The bullpen has a completely new look, and the rotation will rely heavily on the health of Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi, with ace Chris Sale still undergoing his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

However, things are not as glum as they may seem. Boston still has one of the more talented groups in the major league, has made clever signings this offseason, and is on track to be a competitive ballclub this season. No, they’re not going to win 108 regular-season games or cruise to a World Series victory, they probably won’t even be close to competing in their own division, but, they have a talented roster that will be able to go on streaks and hopefully put together a winning season.

You can go into this season with a negative mindset from all that has happened recently and nobody could really blame you for that. This ballclub has lost a lot of its identity from previous years. But, they’re still the Red Sox and things will figure themselves out over the next few years if Chaim Bloom is allowed to do his job.

There are no expectations for this MLB season, and rightly so. What you can expect though is to watch a ballclub with plenty of talent in its lineup that has the potential to win a game of baseball on any given night. Let’s have a look at its biggest strengths going into the season.

Red Sox Strength #3: Alex Cora

After parting ways with the Red Sox, in the aftermath of the sign-stealing scandal back in January of last year, Alex Cora‘s name was completely dragged through the mud. Just over a year after he managed the Sox to their greatest season in franchise history, he was shamed and gone, just like that.

Cora was suspended for what he did in Houston, and the MLB’s findings of what went on in Boston weren’t as extreme. These actions should never be taken in this sport or any other for that matter, and Cora knows what he did was wrong. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve another chance and to move on with his life.

He’s getting that second chance with Boston. Cora’s easily one of the most loved managers the Red Sox have had and in 2018, he showed his abilities to manage a ballclub. So, having him back is something to be extremely excited about.

2018 was Cora’s first season as a manager, after winning the World Series with the Astros as a bench coach. For him to be as good in that role as he was straight off the bat isn’t something that happens very often in baseball. The Sox roster he inherited was fantastic in itself, but Cora’s leadership from the dugout was pivotal in guiding them to where they ended up going.

Look no further than that 2020 squad that wasn’t all too different from the teams in 2018 and 2019. The core was still there and yet without AC guiding the ship, it sunk damn near instantly. Being a former player and one that was highly respected during his time on the field has carried over into the manager’s seat. From day one the players have bought into his philosophy and tactics so this season will be a strong display of what he’s capable of.

At a time where so much is changing for this ballclub, this is a very welcome appointment in bringing Cora back by the front office. Cora is going to have a significantly less loaded roster which will put his coaching skills to the test more so this time than last. Does he have the talent to make this group competitive? We’ll see. But, I wouldn’t bet against him.

Red Sox Strength #2: The Top of the Lineup

Boston has been renowned for having strong lineups over the years. When you lose players like Betts you sometimes expect to see a massive falloff. That was the case last season, but, from an offensive standpoint, this ballclub should be able to compete with just about anyone. The top of the lineup isn’t exactly what it was in 2018, but it’s Boston’s biggest all-around strength.

The Sox are expected to open with free-agent signing Kiké Hernandez, who spent the last six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Red Sox manager Alex Cora has said that he likes Hernanez’s speed and energy at the top of the order, believing that there is some ‘untapped potential’ there. The former Dodger has a career OBP of .313, not the most impressive, but if Cora wants to give him that spot then it could be a good thing for the Red Sox.

The only other man who would really be considered for the lead-off spot is Alex Verdugo. Verdugo impressed in his first season in Boston in 2020. The left-handed batter showed great hustle and determination, along with a combination of speed and power at the plate. Dugie has an OBP of .367 in 2020 and is projected to be hitting in the two-hole behind Kiké to start the year.

Hernandez and Verdugo give the Sox a nice dynamic at the top of the order. They’re two players who can get your lineup ticking if dialed in, and there’s a good chance we’ll see that early on. Verdugo was one of the strong spots for Boston last year, whilst Kiké has impressed during his first spring training with the sox, developing a .333 average and a 1.010 OPS.

The three through five spots in the order will be occupied by Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and J.D. Martinez in one way or another. Now, that’s a pretty great top half. Martinez is looking to bounce back after an abysmal 2020 season at the plate and launched his first homer of the spring today with one of his smoothes swings as of late.

You shouldn’t look too closely at last season for anyone, but a player of Martinez’s standard shouldn’t be hitting .212 however long a season is. J.D. is signed for 2021, has a player option for 2022 before becoming an unrestricted free agent the following year. There’ve been murmurs regarding whether or not he wants to be part of a rebuilding roster. But when you have Bogaerts and Devers around you in a lineup, it’s not the worst place to be for a clean-up hitter.

Red Sox Strength #1: Xander Bogaerts & Rafael Devers

After losing their franchise guy in Betts, losing their star defender in Jackie Bradley Jr., and losing their ace to Tommy John surgery, the Sox must have someone to pick up the slack. Any other front office could’ve easily paid a guy like George Springer the money in free agency, trying to replace Betts’ workload just like that.

Luckily, Bloom knows baseball. Instead, giving out short-term deals to helpful players and giving more of an opportunity for the farm to develop need to be the priorities right now. From a now standpoint, the Sox are lucky to have two guys who you can definitely consider superstars for this ballclub. As it stands, Bogaerts is the longest-tenured member of the organization with the retirement of Dustin Pedroia earlier this spring.