The Boston Red Sox are among the most aggressive teams in baseball so far this offseason. They signed a pair of big-name free-agent bats in Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. The Red Sox also revamped their starting rotation with Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson.
But despite these acquisitions, there are still issues Boston must resolve heading into 2015. Here are three of the most glaring offseason questions the Red Sox have yet to answer.
Who Will be the Opening Day Starting Pitcher?
It's the hope of Red Sox fans that Boston's No. 1 starter next year is someone not presently with the ballclub. The Red Sox projected rotation of Porcello, Miley, Masterson, Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly posted a combined ERA of 4.55 last season. There's clearly still room for improvement, and nobody in the group is considered an "ace" by any means.
Both Max Scherzer and James Shields remain available on the open market. As Peter Gammons recently discussed on GammonsDaily.com, trade rumors continue to swirl regarding Cole Hamels coming to Boston.
Jason Mastrodonato of Mass Live writes:
Two former general managers believe the Red Sox are the favorites to trade for Hamels and the second-most likely team to sign Shields. Writing for MLB.com, former New York Mets GM Jim Duquette predicted the Red Sox would be 3-to-1 favorites to land Hamels, while former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals GM Jim Bowden gave the Red Sox 5-to-1 odds to sign Shields (the San Francisco Giants are the favorites at 3-to-1).
Would the Red Sox really spend $183 million on Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval yet enter the season with a five-man rotation that has averaged a total of 827 innings over the last three seasons?
If Boston does fail to bring in a top arm, either Buchholz or Porcello is most likely to be handed the ball on Opening Day.
Of the Red Sox's five starters, Porcello put up the best numbers last season, posting a 3.43 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 204.2 innings with the Detroit Tigers. On the other hand, Buchholz is easily the most tenured member of the staff and is just one year removed from an All-Star season in which he went 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.
What Will Happen with the Extra Outfielders?
Current Red Sox Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts, Shane Victorino, Daniel Nava, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Brock Holt all spent time in the outfield in 2014.
Ramirez is poised to take over for Yoenis Cespedes (traded to Detroit) in left field. Castillo and Betts look to be the front-runners for center field and right field. Holt may serve as a utility infielder, and Craig can back up first base and third base as well.
However, that still leaves Victorino, Nava and Bradley Jr. battling for the fourth outfielder position. After hitting just .198 in 384 at-bats last year, Bradley Jr. could begin 2015 in the minor leagues.
Nava was eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, with the Red Sox tendering him a contract expected to be worth $1.9 million, according to Mastrodonato. Victorino is entering the final season of a three-year, $39 million contract and has $13 million still coming his way. Clearly, Nava is the better bargain of the two, which will come into play if Boston looks to deal one of its excess outfielders.
Can Dustin Pedroia Get Healthy?
This question is one that is out of the Red Sox's control, but it's also something that should have a major impact on Boston's success next season.
On Opening Day of 2013, Pedroia tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. He played through it all year, having surgery the following November. Pedroia batted .301 that season, but he hit just nine home runs, his lowest power output since his rookie year.
In the Red Sox's home opener in 2014, Pedroia reaggravated the same hand. Again he played through it, this time hitting only .278 with seven home runs. With Boston out of the playoff race, Pedroia elected to have another surgery this past September.
According to Red Sox manager John Farrell, Boston's second baseman is in line to be back to his old self by spring training. Via the Providence Journal's Tim Britton, Farrell recently said:
He's doing great, he really is. He's able to swing the bat a little bit off the tee. Physically the strength and the range of motion continue to improve. And I think one of the more exciting things as we go into and begin to get closer to spring training is getting Pedroia back to 100 percent health and strength.
If Pedroia can be fully healthy for the first time since 2012, the Red Sox's 2015 postseason outlook dramatically improves—add in a bona fide ace, and Boston might have to be considered a World Series favorite.
Statistics via RedSox.com with contract information from Spotrac.com
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