The Boston Red Sox didn’t have enough power in their lineup last season. Now they might have too much.
It doesn’t make manager John Farrell’s job easy when it comes to organizing the lineup, but it’s a good problem to have. Plus, Farrell already has an idea of how things might shape up come April.
The Red Sox skipper appeared on WEEI on Thursday, and he discussed his vision for next year’s lineup with Rob Bradford, Mike Mutnansky and Alex Speier. Farrell doesn’t have it all worked out yet, but he imagines Dustin Pedroia in the two-hole, followed by David Ortiz third, Hanley Ramirez batting cleanup, and Pablo Sandoval and Mike Napoli slotting in fifth and sixth, respectively.
“We thought we would be able to get one (of Ramirez and Sandoval),” Farrell said, per The Boston Globe. “The fact that we were able to get two certainly lengthens the lineup. I think Hanley gives David some protection behind him. We want to keep Sandoval on the left side of the plate as much as possible, so you sandwich him between Ramirez and Napoli, and you start to have a formidable middle of the order where you’re going left, right, left, right all the way through the middle of the order.”
The leadoff spot is where it gets a little fuzzy. Utility man Brock Holt spent the most time at the top of the order last season, batting .281 in 93 games there. But Mookie Betts might give Holt a run for his money after hitting .310 in 22 games as the leadoff batter.
As for the bottom of the lineup, expect some combination of Rusney Castillo, Xander Bogaerts and catchers Christian Vazquez and Ryan Hanigan. Castillo received rave reviews for his Winter League play, but his lack of MLB experience — he played in just 10 games last season — is keeping Farrell cautious.
“I think it’s best if we bring him along maybe a little bit along the way, give him some at-bats, whether that’s in the second third or bottom third of the order,” Farrell said. “… I think that’s the best way to acclimate him going forward.”
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
