With exactly one week left in Spring Training, the Red Sox can see the finish line and begin to imagine what it will be like to go out on the field at Fenway Park on April 1 against the Orioles.
But until that time comes, there are still some decisions to be made.
Here’s a look at what manager Alex Cora and his staff will evaluate most closely in the final days of the Grapefruit League action.
1) Who is closer?
It looks like a two-horse race between experienced right-handers Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino. Barnes is the veteran leader of the Boston bullpen, a proud member of the organization since he was enlisted in 2011. Ottavino is the key newcomer, having released the last two seasons for the Yankees. He is also very familiar with Boston, having organized his college days at Northeastern University.
Barnes and Ottavino have similar records in the sense that they have long been considered strong men, but had only small tastes of closing opportunities. Both are also starving to win the role this year – their last seasons before free agency.
No pitcher allowed a run won in each of the four outings of the Grapefruit League. Barnes looked a little sharper in that regard, allowing just one hit and two walks while hitting eight. Ottavino gave up five shots and a four-shot walk.
“We’re getting closer,” Cora said. “I think they both throw the ball well. It’s just a matter of making that decision, and as I said, before we go to Boston, we’ll know what the structure will be like. But I’m not ready to call a loved one yet. ”
2) Franchy for the opening day?
Outfielder Franchy Cordero started Spring Training late due to COVID-19 and subsequent protocols that he had to delete before he could start working with his new team. The Red Sox are excited about the left-handed slugger they received in exchange for Andrew Benintendi, but are aware of his injury history and do not want to push him too fast.
Cordero has so far played in two Grapefruit League games – one as the hitter on Saturday vs. Braves and one on the left field, Monday, against Rays.
“I just saw him walking,” Cora said Tuesday morning. “It simply came to our notice then. We actually have a B game today at 10. He will probably get beaten up in that game. That is a good sign. “
Cordero is expected to play left-back on Wednesday and Friday, so the Red Sox should have a better idea of his availability after that.
3) Who will win the final place on the bench?
Assuming Cordero convinces Brass that it’s okay to go for the opening day, the Red Sox will have to decide between Christian Arroyo or Michael Chavis for the final place on the bench.
Both players increased their candidacies with strong camps. Chavis has six homers and Arroyo has three. Arroyo added a strong defense to the mix.
If it comes down to organizational depth, Arroyo will win the place because he has no options, while Chavis has options left.
“It’s fun to watch and that’s what it’s about, isn’t it? They both do an amazing job, “said Cora. “We move them inside the field, they take their bats. I think they both lead the team in bats during spring training. ”
4) Who will fill the last two places for the bullpen?
The Red Sox will carry nine relays to open the season. Here are the ones who are sure to form the team: Barnes, Ottavino, Hirokazu Sawamura, Darwinzon Hernandez, Matt Andriese, Josh Taylor and Rule 5 Draft pick Garrett Whitlock.
With Ryan Brasier certainly sure to start the season on the rugged list, that leaves Austin Brice, Colten Brewer, Kevin McCarthy, Phillips Valdez and Marcus Walden as candidates to compete for the final two slots.
Typically, the advantage would go to players on the 40-man list. Of the five, Brewer, Brice and Valdez fit that bill. However, Valdez, who was very effective last season, gave up several races in three of his six outings this spring, including Tuesday in Boston’s 7-6 win over Atlanta. Brewer was not particularly sharp either and gave up two victories – including one on Tuesday – in 4 1/3 innings. Brice was hit last time, giving up a pair of runs.
McCarthy certainly presented the best in the group, because on Tuesday he marked the fifth consecutive exit, without allowing a race. He also didn’t play anyone in his six innings. But will the Red Sox clear a place for 40 people to put him on the team? We’ll find out soon.
“I mean we have options, but it’s just a matter, as I said, the structure is very important,” Cora said. “The beauty of 14 jugs is that we will be able to go more with certain guys in certain situations, and then you will be covered if something happens the next day. So length is very important.
“It simply came to our notice then. And I think the guys who are in the mix can give us six exits. Some of them can give us in certain situations. So I’ll leave that. But I think whoever we take in that place or in both places, as you say, will be able to give us more innings. ”