Red Sox 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Star addition for rotation arrives

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The Boston Red Sox begin spring training games on Feb. 24. Players and Red Sox Nation will soon have to confront the state of the roster.

It's well documented that Boston never went "full throttle" this offseason, as promised. Besides the trades of Alex Verdugo and Chris Sale, not much has changed for the Sox this winter. They brought in Tyler O'Neill, Vaughn Grissom Lucas Giolito, Cooper Criswell, Romy González, and some others. Fan-favorite Justin Turner left in free agency in for the division-rival Blue Jays, and Boston will miss him.

It's possible some changes could still come to the roster. Some trade rumors are circulating about certain Red Sox and some free agents remain unsigned.

The entire season will be documented through a Netflix documentary, so fans are hoping some reinforcements may arrive soon to make both the season and the retrospective better watches.

Red Sox 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: help for the rotation arrives

Red Sox Opening Day starting rotation:

Jordan Montgomery
Brayan Bello
Lucas Giolito
Nick Pivetta
Kutter Crawford

Countless reporters and experts have named the Red Sox as the ideal location for top-tier free agent Jordan Montgomery. The longer he sits on the market, the more likely his price is to decrease and he may be willing to accept a short-term deal rather than the six years he's reportedly asking for.

If Boston capitalizes on Montgomery's stalling market, he'd likely serve as a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito are given as the only other true starters on Boston's staff. Nick Pivetta and Kutter Crawford pitched well last season and have the most longevity of the rest of the potential starters who will end up as key pieces in the bullpen.

Red Sox Opening Day bullpen

Tanner Houck
Garrett Whitlock
Brennan Bernardino
Josh Winckowski
Kenley Jansen
Chris Martin
Isaiah Campbell
Bryan Mata

With Montgomery holding a spot in the starting rotation for this projection, Tanner Houck is sent to the bullpen. Boston is down one dominant bullpen arm after trading John Schreiber to the Royals and Houck would fill his spot nicely.

The Red Sox bullpen is frightfully short on lefties, and some southpaws may make an impression at spring training. Newly acquired veteran Lucas Luetge or Chris Murphy could crack the roster to provide lefty relief.

Trade rumors have circulated about Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, both of whom remain on the team for the time being. Their experience will be much needed at the back end of the 'pen. Later in the season, new acquisition Liam Hendriks will join them when he's recovered from Tommy John surgery. Can't wait.

Red Sox Opening Day infield

Triston Casas (1B)
Vaughn Grissom (2B)
Trevory Story (SS)
Rafael Devers (3B)
Connor Wong (C)
Bobby Dalbec (INF)
Pablo Reyes (INF)
Reese McGuire (C)

Boston's infield spots are certain — Triston Casas had a great season last year, Trevor Story has been the subject of much hype from reporters, Rafael Devers is Rafael Devers, and Connor Wong catches runners stealing at a high clip.

The Red Sox acquired Grissom from Atlanta through the Sale trade and he's projected to be the everyday second baseman despite spending almost all of last season in Triple-A. News broke that the 23-year-old is experiencing a hamstring injury, but he's projected to be able to play by March 1.

Cora has given his vote of confidence to Dalbec this offseason and believes the 29-year-old has a real shot at making the team. Pablo Reyes is Boston's best option for a backup infielder and he strikes out far less frequently than Dalbec.

Red Sox Opening Day outfield

Wilyer Abreu (LF)
Jarren Duran (CF)
Tyler O'Neill (RF)
Masataka Yoshida (LF/DH)
Rob Refsnyder (OF)

The Sox acquired O'Neill this offseason to fill Alex Verdugo's former spot in right field. Duran is a given in center as long as he isn't traded, and Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said he was excited to see Wilyer Abreu get 400 at-bats this season, implying he'll be an everyday player.

Cora recently mentioned that the majority of Yoshida's at-bats will come as the designated hitter, which will go a long way towards keeping him fresh. Refsnyder has been a staple as a backup outfielder for a few seasons and the Sox likely have no plans to deviate from him.

Notable Red Sox starting the season in the minor leagues

Ceddanne Rafaela (OF)
Romy González (INF)
Enmanuel Valdez (INF)
David Hamilton (INF)
Justin Slaten (RHP)
Cooper Criswell (RHP)

Cora has voiced his praise for outfield prospect Rafaela. The skipper said Rafaela will be the Sox's starting center fielder if he makes the team, but his bat is underdeveloped. The outfielder needs to see more minor-league at-bats before he's ready to take on a starting role with Boston.

González, Valdez and Hamilton are all solid backup options in the event of an injury in the infield. Slaten has been turning heads this spring training and he may be able to make enough of an impression to be called up later in the season.

That rounds out the situation for the first roster projection. With about a month until Opening Day, things can change, so stay tuned for any developments.