The Boston Red Sox open up the season on Apr. 4 against the Cleveland Indians, but are already facing some difficulties this spring. This comes as news after top reliever Carson Smith went down with a forearm strain that will put him on the DL to start the year.
In addition to the Smith injury, the team will be without young starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, who will also open the year on the DL. The injuries on the pitching staff will force Steven Wright into the rotation as the fifth starter, and likely Matt Barnes or Roenis Elias into the bullpen.
The Red Sox also need to work out the Pablo Sandoval and Travis Shaw situation developing. Sandoval is the incumbent third baseman, but is being thoroughly outplayed by Travis Shaw, who is a first baseman by trade, but has found success at third base. Thanks to Hanley Ramirez having a solid spring at first base, the Red Sox will have to decide if they are willing to play the unproven, but electric young infielder Shaw, or the overpaid big name in Sandoval.
Another interesting piece of the puzzle is where super utility man Brock Holt fits in. With Xander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia anchoring the middle of the infield, and the big money of Ramirez and Sandoval at the corners, Holt will have to continue rotating in. He will also be competing with Shaw for time.
These unresolved questions have the Red Sox entering the season with uncertainty. This year is crucial not only for manager John Farrell, but also as this is the last season for legendary slugger David Ortiz. The Red Sox need to answer these questions in order to get off a fast start in a competitive AL East.
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