This story was excerpted from Ian Browne’s Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
It has been a busy start to the offseason for Boston, but there is still more to do. Here are five questions the Red Sox are hoping to answer before or during Spring Training.
There are two ways of looking at this. Sale’s recent history of injuries provides little reason to think he can be counted on to hold up next season. Then, there is the more optimistic view: Sale is due to finally have a somewhat healthy season.
If there was good news from 2022, it’s that Sale didn’t have any arm issues. Instead, he had a series of fluke injuries. First, the fractured rib cage that happened during the lockout, when Boston’s training staff was unable to monitor his workload. Second, the searing line drive he took off his left pinkie finger in his second start of the season, the day before the All-Star break. And lastly, the untimely bike accident that occurred on the same day Sale had a successful throwing session in hopes of coming back from the broken finger.
There’s got to be some good fortune left somewhere for the lanky lefty, right? Assuming Sale is healthy and stays that way, it will be interesting to see what kind of workload the Red Sox can expect from him given his inactivity over the past three seasons. If Sale is healthy for, say, 150 innings, it could completely change the dynamic of Boston’s rotation.
Can Story hold down shortstop?
When the Red Sox signed Trevor Story to a six-year, $140 million contract in March 2022, many people assumed he was the insurance policy if the club wasn’t able to re-sign Xander Bogaerts. Well, that is exactly what has happened. And now that Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson have also found new homes through free agency, Story seems like the leading candidate to start at short for the Sox on Opening Day.
Is Story’s right elbow strong enough to allow him to play shortstop every day? In 2021, Story’s final year with the Rockies, he played through right elbow inflammation and the velocity on his throws took a noticeable dip. He also had low velo readings as a second baseman for Boston last season. However, the Red Sox remain confident his superior athleticism will make up for any lack of arm strength.
“It’s certainly something we’ve talked about, something we’re aware of. Trevor’s aware of it,” chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said of the possibility of Story playing short. “It’s obviously not a secret. I would say a couple of things. One, we are optimistic that wherever he’s playing, that we’re going to be in a better position with him. Just now having built that relationship, that trust with him, being able to take an entire offseason to get in front of this.
“But two, his range is just so incredible. We saw, he can make throws on the run. When he has to put a little something on the ball, he can. I just think wherever we put him, he’s gonna get to so many balls that it’ll all play. You can only throw a guy out if you get to the baseball first, and he’s as good at that as anybody.”
How will Yoshida handle leadoff?
While the general expectation when the Red Sox signed Masataka Yoshida was that he would be an ideal leadoff hitter in Boston, the left-handed hitter didn’t sound totally enthused about the possibility only because he didn’t bat first during his career in Japan.
If Yoshida can develop confidence in his ability to lead off and perform well in that role, it could have a big impact on Boston’s 2023 lineup. Keep in mind that this is a team that hasn’t had a consistent leadoff hitter since Mookie Betts in ’19. Yoshida’s top skill is getting on base. That is what the Red Sox need more than anything to get their offense jump-started.
Is Casas ready to play every day?
While the one thing Triston Casas demonstrated in his late-season cameo was an advanced hitting approach, his results were inconsistent. With Eric Hosmer getting designated for assignment, the Red Sox have made it clear they believe Casas can be the everyday first baseman. Defensively, he proved he is more than up to the task, which was somewhat surprising given his big frame. At the plate, the Red Sox will need him to be a consistent presence, particularly against right-handed pitching. Though Hosmer is gone, Justin Turner could be an insurance policy at first base if Casas falters.
Who fills out the starting rotation?
At this point, the rotation consists of Sale, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, James Paxton and Tanner Houck. However, the Red Sox continue to say they are trying to find another starter on the free agent or trade market.
The chance for a reunion with Nathan Eovaldi ended on Tuesday, when the right-hander agreed to a deal with the Rangers. But what about Michael Wacha? The righty fit in perfectly with Boston in 2022 and had his best season in years. Some were surprised the Sox didn’t make him a qualifying offer. If Boston does add another starter, it could lead to Houck pitching in the bullpen, which wouldn’t be a bad thing.
