RED SOX : SPRING TRAINING 2014
March 8,2014.
c/o MassLive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. – About three weeks ago, Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell sat on a bench in JetBlue Park, looked around and saw no signs of Stephen Drew. Farrell called Xander Bogaerts the team’s shortstop. Players around the clubhouse said they had faith in the 21-year-old.
“The one thing we don’t want is a lingering what-if,” Farrell said of Drew’s free agency.
Yet still, with about three weeks before opening day in Baltimore, the idea of Drew is very palpably lingering.
Presumably somewhere in Florida, Drew is taking swings and waiting for a phone call.
Meanwhile, in Fort Myers …
Five Red Sox storylines are developing midway through spring training:
1) Drew lingers, but so do others
Bogaerts and Will Middlebrooks would represent the left side of the infield if the roster doesn’t change.
Bogaerts has made tremendous strides at shortstop while working on first-step quickness with infield instructor Brian Butterfield. He may not bring the polish Drew did, but he’s getting there.
“He’s a lot further ahead of the curve than he was last year,” Butterfield said.
And then there’s Deven Marrero, 22, who put on a clinic during a 0-0 rainout against the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Marrero is doing everything well, and the Red Sox wouldn’t hesitate to call him to the majors if the need were to arise.
Middlebrooks had a rough game at third base Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. He made one error, let another ball bounce off his glove and one more roll right underneath it. Everybody has bad games, of course, but this one inspired Farrell to acknowledge, “It was a tough day for Will.”
Despite the outing, Farrell has continued to voice his support of Middlebrooks. With the amount of power the 25-year-old possesses, the Red Sox would be giving up on a potential star if they were to stash him on the bench.
His protégé, 22-year-old Garin Cecchini, is highly regarded and continues to get a lot of playing time in front of the major league coaching staff, but he’s expected to start the year in the minors.
2) What’s cooking in center field?
Jackie Bradley Jr. has played as much as anybody as the Red Sox take a good, hard look at him as the possible opening day center fielder. His at-bats have gotten better, highlighted by a solid day Thursday. But he’s only 23 and still without a full season at Triple-A Pawtucket.
He’s expected to win the job, but how long he keeps it will depend on how he performs.
Or, how Grady Sizemore performs.
The Sizemore talk continues to be all positive, the coaching staff amazed at how quickly his offensive ability has come back, as if he hasn’t missed any time at all. Once a pull hitter, he’s now using all parts of the field with his simple swing.
He won’t try to steal any bases for the time being, but he’s played fine in the outfield, and most importantly, has been healthy.
3)The starting lineup
The first time Farrell speculated on his opening day lineup, it looked like this:
1. Shane Victorino, RF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Mike Napoli, 1B
5. Daniel Nava, LF
6. Bogaerts, SS
7. A.J. Pierzynski, C
8. Middlebrooks, 3B
9. Bradley, CF
But Farrell has also flirted with the idea of hitting Nava at leadoff, Jacoby Ellsbury’s old spot, and pushing the rest of the order down. Nava has two homers there this spring, from each side of the plate.
Jonny Gomes could potentially lead off against lefties.
4) What to make of all these young pitchers
There are a lot of them, so hang tight.
Brandon Workman has pitched like Brandon Workman, overpowering at times while occasionally badly missing location and paying for it. While he’s being stretched out as a starter, he’s the most likely of the young pitchers to make the opening day roster.
If Jake Peavy (injured finger) or someone else were to start the year on the disabled list, Workman could make the team as a fifth starter or long reliever, depending how Boston wants to use Chris Capuano, who is being stretched out but could be a highly effective long-relief/lefty specialist.
Allen Webster was dominant Thursday, after John Lackey and Jon Lester helped identify a flaw in his delivery. Webster has long shown good stuff but has struggled with command. When throwing strikes, he’s a force.
Anthony Ranaudo has pitched exceptionally and awfully in two different performances. Most promising is that there is life in his fastball again. He lost it in 2012 when injuries struck, but he has returned to 100 percent.
Matt Barnes has been battling shoulder fatigue. Henry Owens is still considered among the best of the prospects, but the 21-year-old has work to do.
Drake Britton is having a really nice spring and has begun focusing on being a reliever. He could be the first left-hander called upon if someone were to get hurt in the bullpen.
Dalier Hinojosa, the Cuban pitcher signed in October, is a work in progress but has flashed impressive pitches. Rubby De La Rosa has struggled.
Workman would likely be the first of the starters to get time in the majors, Britton first among the relievers. Both played a role with the Red Sox late last season.
The plan is centered around patience. The young starters won’t be rushed to The Show.
“I don't know that there's too many Jose Fernandezes laying around that you just take out of A-ball,” Farrell said, referencing the 21-year-old called up last year by Miami who won National League Rookie of the Year. “He's an incredible talent.”
5)Extending Ortiz and Lester
Contract extensions for both Ortiz and Lester would likely not be announced until the first week of the season, but it appears a priority to all parties.
Both players have contracts that expire at the end of the season, and both are looking for extensions. Each of their agents have been in Fort Myers to meet with the Red Sox.
Ortiz is hoping for a one-year extension, likely in the $15 to $20 million range.
Lester could be looking at a five- or six-year deal that pushes $100 to $120 million.
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