Pitchers and catchers reported, games started, and the Red Sox are now two weeks into spring training with several names making some noise in camp. It extends from veterans that are solidified on the big league roster to a certain teenager that resembles prime Christian Yelich. Plenty can change over the next month that will shape the Opening Day roster and the outlook for certain prospects moving forward, but these are the guys who have hit the ground running in 2024.
One quick note, I did want to dive into C.J. Cron agreeing to a minor-league deal with the Red Sox. If he makes the Opening Day roster, he’ll make $2 MM with up to $500,000 in possible bonuses. Due to his time in the big leagues, he also has an opt-out 5 days before Opening Day like Joely Rodriguez and Roberto Perez.
Throughout the offseason, the Red Sox have been attached to a number of right-handed bats ranging from Teoscar Hernandez to Adam Duvall, and it seems like they finally settled on one with Cron. He’ll be competing with Bobby Dalbec over the next few weeks for the final spot on the roster. Cron offers a higher floor with the bat, while Dalbec offers more versatility defensively.
Cron is coming off his worst offensive season since 2017 (98 OPS+), but a lingering back injury played a major part with him landing on the IL 3 different times. Currently, he seems best suited as a lefty masher that can give Triston Casas breathers and rotate through the DH spot from time to time. It feels like a tall order to expect him to be the 130 OPS+ slugger he was from 2020 to 2021, especially after leaving the likes of Coors Field.
Still, Cron has always shown that he’s not scared of lefties with a career slash line of .266/.324/.490/.814. For a Red Sox lineup lacking a bit from the right side, he has the chance to at least bridge the gap a bit. If he breaks out and forces himself into the lineup more than expected, then he becomes an intriguing chip around the trade deadline.
It’s interesting to see how Cron’s lack of versatility didn’t stop him from landing in Boston. As Ceddanne Rafaela continues to surge early this spring, I can’t help but think Dalbec’s versatility becomes a lot less useful with the outfield picture being even more crowded. Cron’s track record at the plate should also protect them a bit if Rafaela needs some time to find himself offensively throughout the season.
Another thing that helps is Cron has excelled at Fenway Park in his career. On top of a 2-homer game at the ballpark in 2016, he’s hit .328/.377/.655/1.033 with 6 HR and 3 doubles in 16 games. Despite not being as pull heavy as someone like Duvall, his power has always made him a threat with the Green Monster in left field.
Clearly, the Red Sox have their doubts about Dalbec being able to produce regularly in a bench role. That might be a tough pillow to swallow for the former fourth-round pick, but this is good business for the Red Sox. There’s no risk in giving Cron a chance to run with the role.
Cron isn’t even far from his last season as an above-average bat, which was 2022. He put together a 108 OPS+ with 29 homers and 28 doubles in 105 games. That might not match Justin Turner and Adam Duvall’s production from 2023, but it’s at least a flier that has the potential to make up for some of it.
Ultimately, you wish they’d aim higher with nearly $31 MM remaining before they hit the first luxury tax. Yet, this is the reality of the parameters Craig Breslow has been working within and his focus on having a rotating cast at DH.
So, back to what’s been happening at Fenway South…
3. Justin Slaten (8.0 OppQual)
Feb 20, 2024; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Justin Slaten (63) poses for a photo during media day at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into spring training, it felt like there was a showdown for the last bullpen spot between Justin Slaten and Bryan Mata. Both need to be on the Opening Day roster due to Slaten being a Rule 5 pick and Mata being completely out of options. But with Mata suffering a hamstring strain, he’s fallen behind and Slaten has run with the opportunity.
In 3 outings, Slaten hasn’t given up a run and has racked up 3 strikeouts without a walk. He did allow two baserunners in his first outing thanks to a hit by pitch and a single, but since then he’s harnessed his control. Alex Cora made it a point that he wanted to see Slaten throw strikes this spring and so far he’s done a great job of that.
Another big thing for Slaten is that he’s a Breslow guy. The Red Sox were gushing over him this winter when he came over from the Mets for Ryan Ammons and cash considerations. Mata doesn’t have that working in his favor, since he’s been in the organization for nearly a decade with more injuries than anyone can remember.
4. Ceddanne Rafaela (8.3 OppQual)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 30: Ceddanne Rafaela #43 of the Boston Red Sox hits an RBI double during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on August 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)
On the first day of spring training, Cora made headlines by saying Ceddanne Rafaela would have a shot at the starting center fielder job. So far, he’s showing that he deserves to be in Seattle on Opening Day. It’s not about just the numbers either, but the decisions he’s making at the plate.
Rafaela is 4-for-11 with a double, which is a nice sign, but what catches my eye is that he has walked (4) more than he’s struckout (3). Just looking at this at-bat from yesterday’s game against the Tigers, it’s clear he’s spitting on pitches that are right outside the strike zone. If he can sustain that approach, it should stop him from getting exposed like he did in September last season.
As usual, Rafaela has also impressed defensively with a couple nice plays in center field. On the basepaths, he’s been extremely aggressive with 2 steals and 1 caught stealing. He’d only have one stolen base if it wasn’t for a nifty slide against the Cardinals, which is something to keep an eye since he was getting thrown out a lot at AAA last year, but this is the type of athleticism the Red Sox have been yearning for.
Chris Murphy (OppQual 8.2)
Jul 30, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Murphy (72) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Murphy has a chance to be the best lefty in the Red Sox bullpen if he gets back to the arm we saw for a majority of last summer. He’s faced good competition this spring and hasn’t given up any runs in 4 innings of work. That includes 4 strikeouts and no walks, which is what you’re hoping for with the stuff he offers from the left side.
Mark Contreras (OppQual 7.9)
If everything goes right, Mark Contreras will only be depth for the Red Sox, but he’s hit well to start the spring. He smoked a home run against Northeastern and then went deep again against the Orioles. That’s left him with an .855 OPS through 12 at-bats.
Connor Wong/Mark Kolozsvary/Tyler Heineman:
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 02: Connor Wong #12 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates in front of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays after hitting a home run during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on May 02, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
I’m going to combine these three since they all factor into the catching situation. Connor Wong finally returns to the defensive side of things today after dealing with elbow soreness and a bruised knuckle. Even with those nagging issues, he’s swung the bat well going 3-for-7 with a double in 3 games.
Mark Kolozsvary and Tyler Heineman have both been red hot against solid competition, which is nice considering they’re here for their defense. Cora didn’t commit to Reese McGuire as the back-up catcher at the start of camp, but it’s clear they still like him. Roberto Perez will factor into this conversation as well, especially since he finally made his spring debut yesterday.
