oldtimer

I too believe 13 pitchers are enough until at least mid April. That leaves room for 3 utility players and if Codero starts on the IL then M Gonzalez will likely start in LF. I'd say Arroyo and Chavis are locks and I would take Duran over Arauz. When Codero returns and they go to 14 pitchers, will it be Arroyo and Gonzalez? Tough call as Chavis is hitting so well.

The impact of him not performing well is significant since he have the highest pay level of any of the non pitchers on the squad. His value is based almost entirely on his hitting. So far in ST he hasn't demonstrated power. I am hoping we are not seeing a decline due to age.

I agree. Better to find a way to break camp with Chavis on the roster and one less pitcher.

He probably wasn't 160 as previously reported and may not be 221 now. I don't believe those weight numbers.

I would have rolled the dice with Duran instead of Codero. One in the hand is worth two in the bush. But I enjoy betting the ponies, so probably am not the best of advocates.

So far, no HRs and few extra base hits.

Duran won't make the team out of ST. They want him to get more CF experience.

The JDM situation may be one of the most important in determining how the Sox fare competitively in 2021 and 2022. What you say is true, if he has a solid year and helps the club then we need to keep him as it is unlikely that another club would step up at his pay level for 2022. If his season is a bust no one will want him and he will be with us through 2022 with his salary holding the club back. My guess is he will have a decent year but with diminished HR output.

I can understand some skepticism about big swing and miss guys on the team including Dalbec, Renfroe, Codero and Chavis. All have positive aspects to their games and we do have players waiting in the wings should any or all of them turn out worse than hoped for. Dalbec is satisfacoty defensively at first and can play third. He was held back until turning 25 because of his high strikeout rate. His power is exciting but only if he can continue to make reasonably consistent contact. Chavis is more of a utility presence who is not outstanding defensively at any position. We were concerned with his inability to hit the high heat. If he has improved in that regard then he could reach 30 hrs if used regularly. Renfroe is someone else's cast-off. He reportedly can hit lefties so is a platoon candidate. His defense is very good. Will he be able to hit righties at anywhere near an acceptable rate Codero may be similar to Refroe and used as his platoon buddy. Maybe the reason his was cast off was his inability to stay healthy. I assume his defense is acceptable but haven't seen him play As others have said, Casas as isis developing should Dalbec slump badly. Duran is also a heartbeat away as is Downs. It's very likely that some of the players we are experimenting with this year will not be around for the 2022 season.

Based on what we have seen so far, including today, who will be the utility players breaking Spring Training with the Sox? I assume Codero will not be ready. Gonzalez Arroyo Chavis That is my guess but guys better produce as Codero, Duran, Munoz, Arauz and Downs are all potential replacement candidates.

The Sox have quite a few pre-prime guys in the system who have power but who are frequent swing and miss hitters. Being able to adjust may be what allows one or more of them to have substantial major league careers. I am thinking of Dalbec, Chavis, Cordero and Gettys.

I see we have an outfielder Gettys at Spring Training who Cora has praised as an athlete with power but likely will wind up playing in AAA. I don't see him on the 4o man or the list of 30 prospects. Is that an oversight?

My understanding is Cora wants solid on base guys with speed in the first couple of spots and then lineup some power hitters behind. There is also a general desire to alternate left and right hand batters to prevent easy pitching moves by opponents. If he was talking about Verdugo and Hernandez leading the order, I suppose 3,4 and 5 would consist of Bogaerts, Martinez and Devers in some order. Not a bad list to choose from and it hard to go wrong in any order.

If you watched today, Devers had his problems as did Arauz. Very poor defense. At least Pivetta looked good on the mound.

We have the draft coming up but that is in the distant future for pitching prospects. I expect Bloom to continue to pick up pitching talent through trades and/or free agency.

Clearly I said 2022 thru 2024. Each in their own time.

I fully expect Downs, Duran, Casas and probably Yorke being the future of the Sox lineup. Some in 2022, others in 2023 and possibly 2024. Will they all become starters? Probably not but others will likkely come along and make the Sox an exciting team again.

I don't thing they believe Santana will be ready for a while due to his elbow surgery.

You may well be right although there is talk of a different lineup at Fenway with Verdugo in CF. I don't know enough about Cordero to evaluate him although another swing and miss guy on top of Renfroe and potentially Dalbec and Chavis might wind up as rally killers. It will be interesting to see how they choose. It looks like Mata will take a while to recover from a slight muscle tear so he is removed from early consideration on the pitching side.

I think you responded to a tongue-in-check reply referencing the rock band Santana and song Evil Ways (baby)

Speed is as much of an asset scoring from 1st on a hit and going 1st to 3rd. Steals are fine but have to be at a high percentage to be worth the risk.

I admit to being confused about what the Sox are thinking about to fill the 26 man roster for opening day. I have heard they want to have 14 pitchers and 12 position players at the beginning but traditionally there is less need for pitching numbers early in the season. So it's either 12 position players or 13 for opening day. Barring injuries or sickness it's pretty clear who those position players will be with a few exceptions 1st Dalbec 2nd Hernandez (probable) SS Bogaerts 3rd Devers C1 Vazquez C2 Plaweki CF Verdugo (probable) RF Renfroe LF (????) DH Martinez In reality, there are no clear choices at 2nd or the outfield but it does look clear that Hernandez, Verdugo and Renfroe will occupy some of those and be on the 26 man. I count 9 clear choices. So how then do the Sox choose the remaining players on opening day. There can be either 3 or 4 names depending on how many pitchers we choose to keep. You pick-em: Munoz Gonzalez Arroyo Arauz Santana Codero Chavis Duran So if we only can take 3 of those along who do we bring? I don't think Codero is a clear cut choice. Gonzalez was picked up and I believe he will make it. Is Arroyo likely? I can't make out the thinking behind the acquisitions, especially from the standpoint of bringing up Druran, Downs and possibly others this year. Is the thinking to bring in a lot of lower cost talent and hope that at least a few will perform above their average? Do they then trade away from the stockpile as the season unfolds?

Duran had a HR and double in three trips. The kid is helping his cause.

Perhaps it's ala Mode

I didn't think of Cordero there, but I suppose he is an option.