Pitchers and catchers have reported to Fort Myers, unofficially marking the start of Red Sox season.
The Sox have bolstered their pitching staff this offseason, particularly the bullpen following that unit’s massive struggles in 2022, but significant questions remain about the Red Sox lineup following the departures of Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez. Meanwhile, Trevor Story’s elbow injury leaves the lineup short of power when it was probably already lacking pop to begin with.
On Tuesday, Alex Cora hinted that Rafael Devers would not hit second, bucking a recent trend in baseball where teams slot their best hitter in the 2-hole. This brings Boston’s lineup construction a little more into focus.
1. Masataka Yoshida, LF
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 07: Outfielder Masataka Yoshida #34 of Team Japan lines out into the double play in the first inning against of Team United State during the gold medal game between Team United States and Team Japan on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 07, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
The Red Sox have lacked a true leadoff hitter since the departure of Mookie Betts. They believe Yoshida will fit the bill.
The 29-year-old Yoshida was a hitting and on-base machine across the Pacific, batting .326 with a .419 OBP in his 7 seasons in Japan. He hit 21 home runs last year and is a few years removed from his career-high of 29 homers in 2019.
The power-desperate Red Sox are hoping that pop translates to the big leagues, but history shows that many Japanese hitters do not hit for as much power in the big leagues as they did in Japan.
2. Kike Hernandez, SS
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 3: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox watches his game tying RBI double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on October 3, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The Red Sox appear to have two major questions in their lineup entering 2023: where power will come from outside of Rafael Devers and who will bat second.
Kike Hernandez and Justin Turner are the two obvious choices here, and one wonders if Cora will do everything he can to get Hernandez going following a disappointing 2022 season (.222 with a .629 OPS in 92 games). Hitting Hernandez in front of Devers would give him the best chance to get off to a good start.
Hernandez has become a front-and-center figure for this organization, and the Red Sox desperately need him to produce.
3. Rafael Devers, 3B
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 3: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on the go ahead RBI sacrifice fly during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on October 3, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
When Abner Doubleday was running around in the fields of Cooperstown, he figured out that a team’s best hitter should bat third. Despite what the analytics say, that should not change. Runners on base = RBI opportunities. It’s not that hard a concept to figure out, nerds.
Rafael Devers is the Red Sox best hitter. He should bat third. It’s simple.
4. Justin Turner, DH
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 13: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his two run homerun, to tie the game 9-9 with the Philadelphia Phillies, during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on May 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The 38-year-old Turner was an All-Star in 2021 for the Dodgers, but is coming off a down year offensively where he put up just 13 home runs. It marked the first time since 2013 that Turner recorded an OPS under .800. The Red Sox believe Turner is not declining and are hopeful his power will return by playing half his games in the shadow of the Green Monster. Many in the game believe Turner’s swing is a nice fit for Fenway Park.
5. Alex Verdugo, RF
May 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Alex Verdugo (99) hits an RBI-single against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Cora did not hesitate when he was asked who on the Red Sox could give them more in 2023: Alex Verdugo.The centerpiece of the Mookie Betts trade had an up-and-down 2022. Verdugo started slow but was better after June 1, hitting .302 with 8 home runs and 50 RBI. Still, the Red Sox were hoping they were getting an outfielder who would turn into an All-Star quality player when they acquired Verdugo. Instead, they have gotten a perfectly average player who hit just 11 home runs last season and has proven he can’t play centerfield.
This feels like a critical year for the 26-year-old, who is two years away from free agency. The Red Sox could look to move on should Verdugo not take a significant step forward.
6. Adam Duvall, CF
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 12: Adam Duvall #14 of the Atlanta Braves hits his second home run of the day during the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Truist Park on June 12, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Red Sox are hoping for a Hunter Renfroe-like impact from Duvall, who has legitimate power and a swing made for Fenway Park. But he is coming off a wrist injury that derailed his 2022 season and has proven he does not hit for average (a career .230 hitter).The 34-year-old Duvall comes to the Red Sox from the Braves, where he was a key trade pickup in Atlanta’s World Series run in 2021. He had one of the best seasons of his career in 2021, hitting 38 home runs between Miami and Atlanta and winning a gold glove.
It’s important to note that Duvall has spent most of his time playing corner outfield, but he has played 75 games in centerfield in his career and by all accounts, he has represented himself well in center.
7. Triston Casas, 1B
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 4: Triston Casas #36 of the Boston Red Sox follows through on his first major league hit, a single against the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Fenway Park on September 4, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Hopes are high for Casas, who projects as a power-hitting first baseman for many years to come. He showed excellent plate discipline in his first taste of the big leagues in 2022, but left some Sox fans wishing he would be more aggressive at the plate. Additionally, he proved he can play a big league quality first base, something the Red Sox have sorely lacked for the last two seasons.
In an ideal world, Casas will hit the ground running in his first full year in the majors and will move up the order to provide more power in the top half of the lineup. But to start the year, look for Cora to slot Casas lower in the lineup to try and alleviate any pressure the 23-year-old might feel.
8. Christian Arroyo/Adalberto Mondesi, 2B
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA – AUGUST 21: Christian Arroyo #39 of the Boston Red Sox in action during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Bowman Field on August 21, 2022 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Perhaps between Arroyo and Mondesi the Red Sox can Frankenstein together one healthy baseball player.Arroyo has proven over the course of his career that he cannot stay healthy. He appeared in just 57 games in 2021 and 87 games last year. He is an IL trip waiting to happen. When he is healthy, he has shown that he is a valuable role player who can hit lefties.
Mondesi, meanwhile, played just 15 games last year for the Royals before tearing his ACL and is not expected to be ready for the start of the season. He is as speedy as they come, stealing 43 bags in 102 games in 2019 and leading the league in steals in the shortened 2020 season with 24, but has otherwise not fulfilled his potential after being widely regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball seven years ago.
The switch-hitting Mondesi does give the Red Sox an intriguing platoon option with Arroyo. If this were the only question mark in the Sox lineup, they’d be in better shape.
9. Reese McGuire/Connor Wong, C
Sep 13, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire (3) hits a home run during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
A few months ago, it seemed like catcher was a big need for the Red Sox. But McGuire and Wong surprised many with their performances down the stretch in 2022 and have apparently shown the Red Sox enough to try out this platoon entering 2023.The Sox also signed veteran catcher Jorge Alfaro to a minor league contract. The 29-year-old put up a .667 OPS in 82 games for the Padres last season and could push for a roster spot should Wong falter in his first real season in the big leagues.
