Boston Red Sox 2022 Preview

Boston Red Sox 2022 Preview

Baseball is back. After a prolonged lockout from December to March, Major League Baseball is set to begin its 2022 regular season Thursday. The Red Sox were scheduled to be part of that start until Thursday’s game in New York against the Yankees was rained out and postponed until Friday at 1pm.

The question on everyone’s mind in Red Sox Nation is can this edition be as competitive and successful as the 2021 team that came within two games of making the World Series. For that answer, we have to first look at the changes.

Additions:
P Michael Wacha
P Rich Hill
P Jake Diekman
P Matt Strahm
P Kutter Crawford
P Tyler Danish
OF Jackie Bradley Jr.
2B/SS Trevor Story

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Subtractions:
P Eduardo Rodriguez
IF/OF Kyle Schwarber
OF Hunter Renfroe
P Adam Ottavino
P Garrett Richards
P Martin Perez

The biggest change among the position players comes with the addition of infielder Trevor Story, signed on a six-year, $140 million deal from Colorado last month. Story, traditionally a shortstop, will be the everyday second baseman with Xander Bogaerts still the incumbent shortstop. Boston will be looking for Story to return to his 2018-19 season performance when he hit .291/.294 with 37/35 HRs. Last season in Colorado, Story dipped to .251 with 24 HRs. He’ll bring better than average defense and speed on the basepaths with him along with a guy that’s dependable, having missed no more than 20 games a season.

Expected starting line-up:
CF Enrique Hernandez
3B Rafael Devers
SS Xander Bogaerts
DH JD Martinez
LF Alex Verdugo
2B Trevor Story
1B Bobby Dalbec
RF Jackie Bradley Jr.
C Christian Vazquez

That offense, when added to the existing line-up of Enrique Hernandez, Rafael Devers, Bogaerts, JD Martinez and Alex Verdugo (3rd best in 2021 - .261 avg, 829 runs scored), will help to cover up for the return of Jackie Bradley Jr. to Fenway Park. While JBJ is an elite defender, his offense has always been in question. While the team may miss the offense of Hunter Renfroe, JBJ’s defense will be a delight to every pitcher on the staff.

Speaking of the pitching, it begins 2022 behind the eight ball with Chris Sale starting the season on the 60-day injury list with a fractured rib. He won’t be available until June. So, it will be Nathan Eovaldi and Nate Pivetta holding down the fort with Tanner Houck joining in along with Rich Hill and Michael Wacha. None of three dazzled down in Fort Myers during the shortened spring training. Houck struggled with his control, walking 9 hitters en route to a 4.20 ERA but did strike out 17. Wacha was effective until his final outing of the spring when he gave up six runs to the Twins. Hill finished with a 9.35 ERA, giving up 14 hits and 9 runs. The key for all three is can they eat up innings and keep the offense in the game.

What will Boston do in the bullpen? Who is the closer? Matt Barnes was an all-star in 2021 but lost all effectiveness in the second half and found himself off the playoff roster to start the postseason. Barnes went from a guy who converted 19 of 21 save appearances in the first half to a guy whose ERA soared over six in the second half. Can he reign in his wildness and bring his velocity, which was 92-93 MPH this spring, back to the 97-99 MPH range? If not, does Garrett Whitlock take over the role? The rookie sensation in 2021 (8-4, 1.96 ERA) will start in the pen but could be looked at as a future starter if needed as well. Ryan Brasier, Josh Taylor, Austin Davis, Hirokazu Sawamura and Phillips Valdez are back to join newbies Jake Diekman, Matt Strahm, Kutter Crawford and Tyler Danish. Diekman was solid with Oakland in 2021 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with seven saves in 60 2/3 innings. Strahm struggled in San Diego in 2021 (8.10 ERA, 0-1, 6 games) but has shown a penchant for doing well in even-numbered years. Crawford and Danish are surprises to make the team as they’ve combined to appear in only 12 big league games. Darwin Hernandez could provide some relief later in the season as he begins the season in Worcester. Since rosters are expanded to 28 due to the shorter spring training, there will be plenty of changes come May.

Behind the plate, the Red Sox has both Christian Vazquez and Kevin Plawecki which should stabilize the pitching staff. Christian Arroyo, Jonathan Arauz and Travis Shaw round out the depth on the bench.

The American League East is loaded with the Blue Jays, Rays, and Yankees all looked at as playoff contenders. Expect the Red Sox to be right there with them as a team that has the flexibility to add throughout the season by trade or from within the system. Triston Casas is candidate number one lurking in Worcester should Dalbec fade at first base.

Prediction: 90 wins – AL Wild Card Playoff Team