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Red Sox: Predicting Boston’s 2022 Opening Day staring lineup

By Brendan Mizgala

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 11: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after winning game four of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch the series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 11: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after winning game four of the 2021 American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch the series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox target Seiya Suzuki
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Seiya Suzuki #51 of Team Japan rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against Team United States during the knockout stage of men’s baseball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 02, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images) /

Red Sox RF: Seiya Suzuki

This is my other big change from the roster of 2021. All winter long we’ve seen Seiya Suzuki hanging out and palling around with Red Sox legend Koji Uehara and the bridge feels like it’s built. For most of the offseason, Boston has been the favorite to gain the services of the Japanese superstar and I align myself with that belief.

Adding his power bat alongside his strong defense to this lineup could mean bad things for the league. One of the best offenses going adding in one of the best hitters Japan has to offer could only mean good things. Granted, we know how international signings can go as Boston has seen the best and worst, but I have faith in this one.

Suzuki has nine years under his belt playing professionally in Japan and is ready to test himself in MLB. As winter turns to spring his list of suitors has grown but thanks to Koji it still feels like the Red Sox have the hot hand.

Seiya is a career .309/.402/.541 hitter with 189 bombs and 621 RBI. He does have a penchant for the strikeout as he has a 631/524 K/BB mix but Fenway Park will absolutely lend itself to his power.

Of course, we have no idea where Suzuki will go and we also have to think about the Kyle Schwarber elephant in the room. The Sox could easily find a way to make both work but I think one fully plays a part in the other.

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