Heading into the 2013 season, the Red Sox weren’t thought of as one of the AL East favorites. Hell, they weren’t even expected to crack the .500 mark following a disastrous 2012 and a mediocre winter. Then, something happen – the new Red Sox team just gelled perfectly, and the Sox won the World Series. Hey, sometimes, these things happen.
Depth Chart (as of 3/21)
C: A.J. Pierzynski
1B: Mike Napoli
2B: Dustin Pedroia
SS: Xander Bogaerts
3B: Will Middlebrooks
LF: Daniel Nava/Jonny Gomes
CF: Grady Sizemore
RF: Shane Victorino
DH: David Ortiz
SP: Jon Lester
SP: John Lackey
SP: Clay Buchholz
SP: Jake Peavy
SP: Felix Doubront
CL: Koji Uehara
New Faces
The reanimated body-type structure of Grady Sizemore is back and in center field for Boston. They have a new face behind the plate in MLB veteran A.J. Pierzynski. Aside from those two guys, Boston added some role players this winter – Jonathan Herrera, Burke Badenhop, Edward Mujica, and Chris Capuano. Not much going on here.
Departures
Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is now a Yankee. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is a Marlin. Shortstop Stephen Drew is unemployed. Starting pitcher Ryan Dempster retired, but didn’t really retire. The Red Sox also lost a couple of role players – John McDonald (who played for like four teams last year) and relievers Joel Hanrahan and Matt Thornton (neither of whom was much of a factor last year).
Impact Rookies
Xander Bogaerts, the top prospect in all of baseball, looks like he’ll be Boston’s Opening Day shortstop, much to the join of dynasty league owners everywhere. Jackie Bradley Jr. is waiting to take over in center field, but the unusually solid spring from Grady Sizemore has pushed him to the back burner once again. Aside from those two guys, Boston really won’t have much new talent significantly contribute in 2014 – unless you’re a big fan of some of their legions of young pitchers that have struggled in the majors.
Position Battles
This late in the spring, everything is pretty much cut and dry by now. The Red Sox brought in several non-roster players to fight for their final bullpen spot, but it’s looking more and more like they’ll be fine going with Badenhop and Capuano in those positions. Aside from that, it’s all chalk.
Injury Concerns
Sizemore is bound to hurt SOMETHING in the next month, right? I mean, it’s a right of passage for him – the MLB season isn’t officially underway until Grady Sizemore gets hurt. Aside from Sizemore, things are a bit touch and go with Jake Peavy thanks to a lacerated finger suffered earlier this month, and he’s questionable for Opening Day. There’s also the whole issue of Clay Buchholz never ever ever being healthy for a full season, which…well, at least the Red Sox have several capable fifth starters in the fold.
Best Case
BACK TO BACK! The Red Sox win another World Series, David Ortiz goes out like a champion (and without a nationwide victory tour like a certain player in the Bronx), and the Yankees finish in last place with their monstrous payroll. Oh, how sweet it would be…
Worst Case
If everyone gets old at the same time for the Red Sox, they could have a rude awakening this year. If everything breaks right in the AL East, I could see Boston managing to fall to fourth or even fifth in the division. Following a World Championship, that would be beyond terrible.
Realistic Scenario
For as much as things went wrong for the Red Sox in 2012, that’s as much as went right for them in 2013. If those two extremes even out this year, you have all the makings of a team stuck in the dog fight that is the AL East, trying desperately to make it back to the Postseason.
