The 2023 Red Sox roster is questionable. In this post, we will review the 2023 Red Sox opening day lineup. Losing Xander Bogaerts is significant. General manager Chaim Bloom was busy but lost a major piece of the organization. Replacing him will take time. The core of the roster is past its prime.

Top half Of The Order

The Red Sox are banking on Enrique Hernandez to replace Bogaerts. Expect Hernandez to be the leadoff hitter. The knock on Hernandez is he only played 94 games in 2022. When healthy, his versatility is valuable. In 2022, he hit 222 hitting 6 home runs and knocking in 45 RBI’S. He played a stellar centerfield last season. Overall, he has played 100 games at shortstop in his career.

Rafael Devers will bat second followed by either Adam Duvall or Justin Turner. Devers had a career year batting 295 with 27 home runs and driving in 88 runs. Devers signed for eleven_ years 313,000,000 with a 20,000,000 signing bonus.

Following Devers will be Justin Turner or Adam Duvall. Both players signed one-year deals. Turner brings power and defense to the team. Duvall is overcoming wrist surgery and is still a solid center fielder. Both players bring experience and leadership to the organization.

Middle Of The Order

This is where it gets tricky. The club will miss Bogaert’s power. They signed Japanese star Masataka Yoshida to a five-year deal. Yoshida is a solid player who brings quality at- bats to the order. In seven seasons in Japan, Yoshida hit 135 home runs, drove in 400 RBIs, and batted an impressive 326.

Filling out the middle of the order will be Triston Casas and Alex Verdugo. Casas played in 27 games belting 5 home runs and driving in 12. He hit 197 but show good patience at the. Verdugo is in his third season and avoided arbitration. The team is hoping for more production from him offensively. Solid in the field, he can play both right and left field.

Lower Half Of The Order

Depending on who the designated hitter is Reese McGuire and a shortstop will round out the order. I look for JT Turner to be the DH. McGuire was gained midway through the season. In 36 games, McGuire hit 3 home runs and drove in 12 runs. He hit an impressive 337. He is a solid catcher, both defensively and offensively.

General Manager Chaim Bloom has yet to fill the shortstop position. Look for more moves before spring training.

Conclusion

This is a roster of speculation. Except for Rafael Devers, this team is questionable. Most of the players they signed are in the latter part of their careers. Looking at this roster I predict the Red Sox will finish fourth in the competitive American League East.

If Bobby Dalbec or Jarren Duran are not traded they could be in the mix for first base and a fourth outfield spot, along with RobRefsnyder.