The Boston Red Sox’s Opening Day roster has taken shape.
There still could be changes before Boston begins its 2016 season Monday against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field, but Red Sox manager John Farrell made a few announcements this week that offered clarity as to what the squad will look like when it faces old friend Terry Francona and Co.
Here’s how the Red Sox’s roster likely will look Monday in Cleveland.
Infielders (5)
Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Xander Bogaerts, Travis Shaw, Pablo Sandoval
Question marks littered the corners going into camp. Ramirez was transitioning to a new position (again) at first base, and Sandoval was looking to rebound at third base after a disappointing first season in Boston. It didn’t help that Sandoval showed up to Fort Myers, Fla., in underwhelming shape.
Amazingly, Ramirez has looked sharp at his new home. And in the surprise of spring training, Shaw beat out Sandoval for the starting third base job after Farrell declared the hot corner an open competition about midway through camp. Shaw outperformed Sandoval offensively and defensively, and The Panda also dealt with a back injury that sidelined him and hurt his chances of winning the position battle.
Sandoval, who’s in the second year of a five-year, $95 million contract he signed before last season, still could see plenty of playing time this season, especially if Shaw stumbles out of the gate. Most of it probably will come against right-handers, as Sandoval was terrible against lefties in 2015.
Pedroia (second base) and Bogaerts (shortstop) have known their fates for a while. It should be fun watching the middle of Boston’s infield do work this season.
We’d put Brock Holt here, too, as he figures to serve as Boston’s backup middle infielder. But as you’ll see below, his projected role expanded with an important announcement at the end of camp.
Outfielders (5)
Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Chris Young, Brock Holt, Rusney Castillo
Betts and Bradley will enter the season as Boston’s right fielder and center fielder, respectively. There was some question as to whether the Red Sox might keep Betts in center field, where he spent the bulk of last season before playing right field late in the year, but Farrell opted to put his strongest defensive outfielder (JBJ) where he’s been for most of his professional career. Hard to argue with that.
The biggest development occurred in left field, where the Red Sox will deploy a platoon to open the season. Young (right-handed hitter) will face left-handers and Holt (left-handed hitter) will face right-handers, according to Farrell, meaning Castillo will begin the season as a $72.5 million bench player with an undefined role.
It’s important to note that Holt will garner playing time in the infield, too. And it’s not like the Red Sox are ready to give up on Castillo altogether. So the Cuban outfielder will garner at-bats.
Catchers (2)
Blake Swihart, Ryan Hanigan
The Red Sox anointed Swihart the starting catcher before spring training, erasing any doubt about his standing on the heels of an encouraging rookie campaign.
Vazquez’s return from Tommy John surgery certainly adds intrigue to the Red Sox’s catching situation, but he’ll begin the season on the disabled list and likely wind up at Triple-A Pawtucket, though Boston still thinks very highly of the 25-year-old backstop.
Designated hitter (1)
David Ortiz
Just think, this spot will look different this time next year.
Starting rotation (5)
David Price, Clay Buchholz, Joe Kelly, Rick Porcello, Steven Wright
Eduardo Rodriguez’s injury, which will sideline him until at least May, opened the door for Wright to secure the fifth and final spot in Boston’s rotation. Henry Owens and Roenis Elias were viewed as two other rotation candidates, but Wright earned the job with his performance. Plus, the knuckleballer is out of minor league options, so keeping him was an easy decision.
Kelly’s job wasn’t safe going into camp, but the right-hander silenced any doubts with an excellent spring. The 27-year-old is entering a make-or-break stage in his career.
Bullpen (7)
Craig Kimbrel, Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, Robbie Ross Jr., Tommy Layne, Matt Barnes, Noe Ramirez
Carson Smith’s injury paved the way for both Matt Barnes and Noe Ramirez to crack Boston’s Opening Day roster. The Red Sox also considered Elias for the final bullpen spot, but the lefty struggled in a relief role and since has been optioned to Pawtucket, where he’ll serve as a starter — a move that makes sense given that neither Owens nor Brian Johnson impressed this spring.
There’s no exact timetable for Smith, who will begin the season on the DL. He’s expected to provide Boston with an impact, late-inning arm when he returns, though, so that’s something the Red Sox can look forward to if the unit doesn’t improve upon last season’s struggles.
Then again, the installation of Kimbrel as Boston’s new closer should improve the ‘pen to some extent.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
