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Projecting The 2023 Red Sox Pitching Staff

With Spring training officially underway, it’s time to project the 2023 Red Sox pitching staff .General Manager Chaim Bloom began the offseason revamping the Red Sox bullpen. Overall, the team added four new relievers and signed veteran Corey Kluber to a one-year deal. Kluber spent the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Rays. The organization had the seventh- worst bullpen in the Majors. In this post, we will review three area’s how the team improved its pitching department.

Revamped Bullpen

During the offseason, the team added five new relievers to the staff. The first signing was Joely Rodriguez spent the 2022 season with the Mets. Rodriguez had an impressive campaign finishing 2-4 with a 4.47 ERA. Used primarily as a middle reliever he will bring experience and depth to the Red Sox.

Chris Martin, Richard Bleier, Wyatt Mills, and Kenley Jansen round out the relievers. Jansen is one of the best closers in baseball and will help the team immediately. Throughout his impressive career, he has accumulated 391 saves.

Jansen brings an attitude and history of winning. Last season with the Braves he recorded 41 saves to his credit. In 2022 the Red Sox bullpen blew 28 saves out of a possible 65 opportunities. One of the worst in baseball.

Deep Starting Pitching

In 2022, the Red Sox starting pitching had 79 wins and an ERA of 4.53. With injuries to key starters, Boston added veteran Corey Kluber to the rotation. In twelve years of service, Kluber brings depth and experience to the staff. Last season as Ray, he was 10-10 with a 4.31 ERA. The former Indian has a total of 113 wins and 71 losses with a 3.31 ERA.

If Chris Sale and James Paxton can stay healthy, this should be an interesting team to watch. Rounding out the staff is second -year man Brian Bello, Garrett Whitlock, and Tanner Houck. Both Whitlock and Houck suffered a season- ending injuries in 2022.

Depth In The System

Since Chaim Bloom took over in 2021 the teams farm system is vastly improved. With young talent waiting Red Sox fans can finally see a new wave of talent names to keep an eye on are LHP Brandon Walter/Worcestor/LHP Chris Murphy/ Worcestor/and RHP Bryan Mata/Worcestor.

Conclusion

Despite a dismal 2022 season, it’s time to move on. If the pitching,is healthy, it will contend. The revamped bullpen will be exciting with the addition of Kenley Jansen closing. Payroll wise, the team is at 225 million. I predict the club to go 79-83 fourth place in the AL East.

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A Look At The 2023 Red Sox Opening Day Lineup

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.